“First Time Kong Umiyak!” Kelra Reflects on MPL Championship
Every time Duane Pillas, aka Kelra, would appear on stage or in the media room throughout MPL Philippines Season 14, he was careful not to show emotion. But after winning the Season 14 championship, Kelra wept uncontrollably on stage.
“First time kong umiyak! Noong nanalo kami sa MSC, hindi ako umiyak!” he told ALL-STAR.
“First time ko lang din talagang naiyak. Akala ko hindi ako maiiyak. Bigla lang! Nung nag champion kami, yung sobrang daming paghihirap na dinanas namin from way back, nag flashback sa akin lahat..”
The championship was painfully elusive since he started his pro career in MPL. Now, he is beyond elated.
“Gusto ko nang makita si Slake!” said Kelra before the interview started. He was pacing the space he was in, excited to hug his son, whom he hadn’t seen for a while because of the playoffs.
“Para kay Slake itong panalo ko.”
Kelra has changed a lot ever since he became a father. In fact, he draws strength from his family that inspired his win.
“Sa kanila talaga ako kumukuha ng lakas. Nandiyan sila palaging sumusuporta sa akin.”
Before the gripping Game 7 started, Kelra looked for his parents in the audience and promised himself to win for them.
“Ang sarap sa feeling na nandoon sila. Tinignan ko nga sila noong Game 7 na, noong nakita ko sila, sabi ko sa sarili ko na hindi na pwedeng maulit ang nangyari sa akin noon sa Blacklist noong Season 7.”
Kelra was referring to the time Blacklist International defeated Execration in a dramatic reverse sweep.
“Yung pagkamit ng championship na to, para sa akin, sobrang hirap! Lahat naman dapat paghirapan, hindi mo makukuha ng madali. Sobrang hirap kunin nito.”