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Tag: Kelra

  • Far from home, Filipino imports Kelra and Kairi deliver podium finish for ONIC Indonesia 

    Far from home, Filipino imports Kelra and Kairi deliver podium finish for ONIC Indonesia 

    The Philippines may have fallen short of another MLBB Mid-Season Cup championship, but Filipino excellence still found its way onto the podium—this time through two players wearing different colors.


    Grant Duane “Kelra” Pillas and Kairi Rayosdelsol once again showcased why Filipino players remain among the world’s best as they powered ONIC Indonesia to a commanding 3-0 sweep of Team Falcons PH in the battle for third place. 

     

    The victory secured a podium finish for the Indonesian squad and ensured that Filipino representation remained alive in the tournament despite the struggles of the country’s own teams.

     

    For Kelra and Kairi, however, the medal came with a familiar sacrifice: succeeding overseas while being separated from the people who matter most.

     

    In his first season with ONIC Indonesia, Kelra admitted that the hardest part of playing abroad is being away from his partner, Yang, and their son, Slake. While competing at the Esports World Cup (EWC), he said his schedule leaves little time for family conversations.

     

    “Malungkot para sa akin, pero kailangan eh. Nakakausap ko naman sila kapag may free time ako, pero ngayong nasa EWC ako madalang kasi focus muna ako dito.”

     

    Kelra made sure the sacrifice translated into results. He dominated Game 1 with Granger, posting an impressive 9/0/4 KDA to give ONIC Indonesia an early edge in the series before the team completed the sweep.

     

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    Kairi, now a veteran after spending nine seasons with ONIC Indonesia, said life overseas has become something he has learned to live with. Even so, he admitted that missing his family—especially his parents—never truly goes away.

     

    “Medyo nasanay na din po ako pero hindi naman mawawala yung pagkamiss sa pamilya, lalo na sa magulang. Every time naman na may kaganapan sa buhay ko andiyan sila. Ang iniisip ko na lang palagi na para sa pamilya ko ito and sa future ko.”

     

    The veteran jungler delivered one of the defining performances of the series in Game 3. Using Hirara, Kairi finished with an outstanding 11/0/3 statline and produced a decisive triple kill during the pivotal 10-minute Lord fight to seal ONIC Indonesia’s 3-0 victory over Team Falcons PH.

     

    The result marked a significant step forward for ONIC Indonesia, which improved on last year’s MLBB Mid-Season Cup campaign after missing out on a podium finish when it was eliminated by ONIC Philippines.

     

    This year, however, the tournament unfolded differently for the Philippine representatives. Defending champions Team Liquid PH were knocked out early in the knockout stage, while Team Falcons PH battled their way into the race for third place but were ultimately swept by an ONIC Indonesia squad anchored by two Filipino imports.

     

    Although Philippine teams were unable to repeat their dominance from the previous edition, Filipino players still left their mark on the international stage. 

     

    Through Kelra and Kairi, the country’s presence was still felt on the podium, serving as another reminder that Filipino talent continues to thrive—even when success comes while wearing another nation’s jersey.

     

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  • SIBOL MLBB coach explains Duane “Kelra” Pillas’ reserve role for the 2026 Asian Games 

    SIBOL MLBB coach explains Duane “Kelra” Pillas’ reserve role for the 2026 Asian Games 

    The Philippines has already secured its place in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament of the 2026 Asian Games, but one of the biggest talking points following SIBOL’s successful qualification wasn’t about the victories—it was about the role assigned to one of the country’s biggest stars.


    After Duane “Kelra” Pillas was named as the team’s sixth man instead of a member of the starting five, questions quickly surfaced within the Mobile Legends community. 

     

    SIBOL head coach Allec “SN4P” Alvarado, believes the decision gives the national team its strongest possible roster.

     

    Rather than viewing Kelra as merely a substitute, SN4P described the ONIC Indonesia star as the ideal insurance policy for the Philippines heading into international competition.

     

    “He was the only player in the combine who bonded well with the team. Even though he was online-based, you can see how interactive he was compared to the other players,” coach SN4P said.

     

    The coach added that Kelra’s experience gives the coaching staff confidence should adjustments become necessary during the tournament.

     

    “Also, if ever we need a backup plan since it’s Teddy’s first international scene, I’m pretty sure he will be ready,” he added.

     

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    Beyond his in-game value, SN4P admitted that Kelra’s resilience away from competition also left a lasting impression on the coaching staff.

     

    “His dad recently passed away. He definitely deserves this compared to the rest of the gold laners out there,” said SN4P.

     

    Although listed as the reserve, Kelra still made meaningful contributions during the Asian Games qualifiers. He appeared in two matches, with the Philippines winning both convincingly to punch its ticket to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.

     

    The MPL Indonesia Regular Season MVP became the first Filipino import competing in an overseas Mobile Legends league to earn a place on a SIBOL national team roster.

     

    SN4P believes Kelra has already proven himself at nearly every level of professional Mobile Legends.

     

     

    “Achievements-wise, he has the MSC, M-Series, and MPL PH titles. The only thing he lacks is representing the Philippines because the last time he was part of the Sibol team for IESF, they didn’t qualify,” he said. 

     

    Aside from the Asian Games roster, Kelra has also been included as one of the reserves for the Esports Nations Cup. 

     

    He joins Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, Alston “Sanji” Pabico, David “FlapTzy” Canon, Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano, and fellow reserve Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol.

     

    For Kelra, the opportunity represents more than another roster selection. He has already captured the biggest club titles in Mobile Legends, including the MSC, M-Series World Championship, and MPL Philippines crown. Yet one accomplishment has remained out of reach throughout his career—winning a medal while wearing the Philippine colors.

     

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  • Esports Nations Cup unveils star-studded Philippine Mobile Legends roster 

    Esports Nations Cup unveils star-studded Philippine Mobile Legends roster 

    The official roster for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament at the Esports Nations Cup 2026 has been announced, and the Philippines enters the global stage with one of its most decorated lineups yet.

     

    Bannering the national squad are Karl “KarlTzy” Nepomuceno, Jaypee “Jaypee” Dela Cruz, and Alston “Sanji” Pabico from MPL PH defending champions Team Liquid Philippines.

     

    They are joined by David “FlapTzy” Canon and Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano of Team Falcons Philippines, while the reserve pool features Duane “Kelra” Pillas and Kairi “Kairi” Rayosdelsol, who currently competes in Indonesia under ONIC Esports.

     

    All seven players have won either an M-Series and/or MSC title, with the entire main roster also having previously represented the national team and captured Southeast Asian Games gold medals, underscoring the depth of experience assembled for the campaign.

     

    Long regarded as a global powerhouse in MLBB, the Philippines continues to lean on a winning formula built on familiarity and championship pedigree. The latest roster reflects that identity, blending proven chemistry with players who have repeatedly performed on the international stage.

     

    At the heart of that continuity is the reunion of Nepomuceno and Canon, who once played together under BREN Esports and famously delivered the country’s first MLBB world championship at the M2 World Championship, a partnership now revived under national colors.

     

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    Philippine Esports Organization (PeSO) executive director Marlon Marcelo said that with the reveal of its new MLBB Philippines roster, the organization said it has assembled a group designed to compete at the highest level, drawing inspiration from the country’s legacy of Mobile Legends world championships and SEA Games gold medals.

     

    He also emphasized that beyond individual accolades, cohesion will be key as the team prepares for global competition.

     

    From a competitive standpoint, the Philippines enters the Esports Nations Cup cycle as the clear frontrunner in the rankings, sitting atop the standings with 10,400 points. 

     

    The gap to its nearest challengers remains substantial, with Turkiye at 6,500 points and Indonesia at 6,300, positioning the country as the early favorite heading into the tournament proper.

     

    The scale of the event further raises the stakes, with 107 countries and territories confirmed to participate in the MLBB competition. 

     

    Only the top 16 teams will earn direct qualification to the ENC Finals based on rankings to be finalized on August 2, while the remaining slots will be filled through regional qualifiers and wildcard pathways.

     

    With a $1,500,000 prize pool on the line, the Esports Nations Cup 2026 is set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 to 29, 2026. 

     

    For the Philippines, however, expectations are already defined—not just to compete, but to extend a legacy of dominance built on world titles, continental success, and a roster that arrives with both history and unfinished business on its side.

     

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  • Filipino import Duane “Kelra” Pillas earns MPL Indonesia Regular Season MVP honors

    Filipino import Duane “Kelra” Pillas earns MPL Indonesia Regular Season MVP honors

    Just months after taking one of the biggest career risks of his professional career, Filipino star Duane “Kelra” Pillas has proven he belongs among Indonesia’s elite.

     

    The ONIC Indonesia Filipino import and gold laner was named the Most Valuable Player of the MPL Indonesia Season 17 regular season, capping off an impressive debut split as one of the league’s few foreign imports.

     

    Kelra’s MVP recognition is a testament to how quickly he adapted to a new environment after leaving ONIC Philippines in February to pursue an opportunity abroad. His move was among the most talked-about roster changes in Southeast Asian Mobile Legends, not only because of his stature in the Philippine scene but also because it created a rare player exchange between two of the region’s strongest leagues.

     

    The transfer also sparked a unique roster shuffle within the ONIC organization. While Kelra headed to Indonesia, Indonesian import Savero moved in the opposite direction and joined ONIC Philippines, giving both teams a fresh look heading into the new season.

     

    For Kelra, however, the challenge extended beyond simply fitting into a new lineup. He arrived carrying the expectations of a player who had already achieved nearly everything possible in the Philippines.

     

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    Widely regarded as one of the country’s most accomplished gold laners, Kelra helped deliver ONIC Philippines’ breakthrough MPL Philippines Season 14 championship after defeating Aurora Gaming in the grand finals.

     

    His success extended to the international stage, where he spearheaded ONIC Philippines’ title run at the M6 World Championship. The Filipinos defeated Team Liquid Indonesia in the finals, with Kelra earning Finals MVP honors after a dominant performance.

     

    Those achievements established his reputation in the Philippines. Season 17 became his opportunity to prove he could replicate that success in another region.

     

    Behind Kelra’s consistency and leadership in the gold lane, ONIC Indonesia emerged as one of the top teams in the regular season and secured a place in the upper bracket finals of the MPL Indonesia playoffs.

     

    The MVP award, however, carried deeper meaning beyond individual recognition. The Filipino star dedicated the achievement to his late father, Rex Pillas, who passed away earlier this year.

     

    Throughout Kelra’s rise in esports, his father remained one of his strongest supporters—following matches closely, celebrating victories, and serving as a steady presence behind the scenes.

     

    The emotional moment comes as Kelra continues to chase even bigger goals with ONIC Indonesia.

     

    The team is set to face Geek Fam in the MPL Indonesia Season 17 upper bracket finals on Friday in a best-of-five showdown scheduled for 6:15 p.m.

     

    The stakes extend far beyond a place in the grand finals. A victory would also secure ONIC Indonesia a coveted berth in the Esports World Cup in Paris, France this July.

     

    For now, Kelra’s MVP award serves as another milestone in a career already filled with championships. But as ONIC Indonesia moves deeper into the playoffs, the Filipino import’s focus remains fixed on adding another title to his growing collection.

     

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