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| Duane "Kelra" Pillas sealed a stellar M6 campaign with Finals MVP honors, and his dad is one happy person back home. Moonton |
MAKATI--Just like any other parent before, Rex Pillas was hesitant to let his son Duane play Mobile Legends Bang Bang or any esports title a bit too much.
"Dati talaga, di ko pinapayagan yan. Pinagagalitan ko kasi panay ML at computer at di nakakapag-aral nang maayos," the older Pillas told Dugout Philippines on Sunday night how strict he was every time he sees his son play online games a bit too much.
However, upon seeing that Duane Pillas seemed to have found a calling in esports, Daddy Rex finally yielded.
"Noong di na mapigilan sa gusto niya, sinuportahan na lang," Rex Pillas further said, adding that he got an assurance from a friend of his, who was acting as his son's manager every time he was playing in various MLBB community tournaments, that Duane would be fine.
When Duane told his dad in 2020 that he is signing up with a pro esports team despite being only 15 years old, Daddy Rex assured him that his support continues.
"Doon na talaga lumabas yung suporta. Todo suporta na talaga," the older Pillas further said.
Fast forward to Sunday night, Duane Pillas is now known as "Kelra", the superstar of the M6 World Championship.
Pillas, now more matured as a gamer and a person at age 19, showed why he is MPL Philippines' "gold standard", dominating the gold lane during the grand finals and made Sultan "AeronnShikii" Muhammad rethink what he claimed when he said earlier in M6 that he is better than him.
For leading Fnatic Onic Philippines to its first ever M Series world title in their third participation in the yearend event, Pillas was named Finals MVP, making him the first player ever to be named the best player of a championship series in an MPL, MLBB Midseason Cup, and M Series.
Rex Pillas witnessed the legendary moment himself as he was invited to be a special guest during a viewing party at the Serial Kitten Studios, where the off-tube Filipino language broadcast of M6 was being recorded.
Although he could not be with Kelra at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, Daddy Rex is still happy to have watched his son put on a show live.
"Syempre proud na proud tayo dyan," Rex Pillas further said.
When Kelra flies back home, his dad said that he would welcome him in celebratory mood, although the Pillases, as of posting, is still looking at options on how to celebrate his victory and if they could just merge it into a Christmas party since the holiday is coming up.
For sure, though, it is going to be a super merry Christmas for Kelra's family.
Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno
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