Duane “Kelra” Pillas delivered his strongest performance of the tournament thus far to lead ONIC Philippines to a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over a resilient Team Spirit in the quarterfinals of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup 2025, held Thursday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The former MSC 2023 Finals MVP lived up to his moniker as the “Gold Standard,” spearheading ONIC’s turnaround with spectacular plays in Games 2 and 3 that swung the momentum in their favor.
After a shaky start in Game 1, where ONIC absorbed a lopsided loss, the 20-year-old gold laner came alive in Game 2.
Piloting Wanwan, Kelra erupted for nine kills and five assists with zero deaths, completely outclassing Team Spirit’s Pak Anton “Hiko” Igorevich on his signature Moskov pick.
Riding that momentum, ONIC dominated the early stages of Game 3.
But Team Spirit refused to fold, clawing their way back and equalizing the tempo after Alexander “ONESHOT” Sharkov (Baxia) secured the 21st-minute Lord objective.
Team Spirit seemed poised to reach match point after forcing a 3-for-1 exchange at the 29-minute mark.
But Kelra, this time using Granger, turned the tide. In a dazzling clutch play, he outgunned three enemy heroes to complete a game-winning five-for-three wipeout.
In Game 4, ONIC stared down a daunting 7,600 gold deficit by the 12th minute.
Yet once again, Kelra stepped up. During a critical 16th-minute teamfight, he racked up four kills in a five-for-two exchange that allowed ONIC to secure the Lord and reclaim control of the game.
Kelra sealed the deal with a Maniac—four straight kills—in the 18th minute, completing the comeback and booking ONIC’s spot in the semifinals.
ONIC Philippines will next face Malaysia’s SRG.OG, which features Filipino gold laner John “Innocent” Banal, for a place in the grand finals.
The winner will take on either Team Liquid PH or Indonesia’s ONIC Esports.
