Duane “Kelra” Pillas did not hide his emotions following Omega Esports’ stunning 3-0 sweep of ECHO in the first round of the MPL Philippines Season Nine playoffs at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay on Thursday night.
The 17-year-old gold laner, who already figured in a couple of controversies in his young career, was seen taunting the other side moments after the victory.
Kelra, later on, cleared that the taunt was only for ECHO roamer Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera. Both players have figured in a season-long banter, exchanging tirades every time they meet and ranked games and even after their official MPL matches.
According to Kelra, who lost both its regular-season assignments against ECHO via sweep, it was just plain revenge on his part and nothing more. After all, he finally had the last laugh against his rival.
“Para po kay Yawi yung pag-celebrate ko kanina,” said Kelra. “Kasi nung regular season lagi niya po akong tinatrashtalk nung regular season saka kahit po sa [ranked games] kapag nakakalaro ko siya lagi niya kong tinatrashtalk.
“Sakto lang po yun. Kasi po naipon na yung galit, ‘di na ako makabawi sa kanila e.”
ECHO star jungler Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno said that the team had no qualms about Kelra’s antics. He even said that he and his team would do the same if they were the ones on the winning end.
“Siguro po ano, okay lang samin kasi kung kami yung nanalo gaganunin din namin sila e. Yun nga lang, kami yung natalo pero okay lang,” said KarlTzy.
Kelra finished with seven kills and four assists against four deaths on Wanwan to lead Omega Esports’ rousing Game One victory before playing second fiddle to Renz “Renzio” Cadua in the next two matches to seal the sweep.
Omega Esports will take on TNC tomorrow, Friday at 4:00 PM.
