FNOP Gold Laner Kelra reveals what made the MPL Philippines Season 14 title run different from his past heartbreaks.
Grant “Kelra” Pillas has taken his rightful place among the rulers of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in the Philippines, claiming his first MPL PH title with Fnatic ONIC taking the trophy with a dramatic win over Aurora Gaming on Sunday, October 20.
Previously dubbed as the “Uncrowned King” owing to the absence of an MPL PH title in his resume, Kelra banished all doubt about his skills when he helped orchestrate a 4-3 cardiac win over RORA at the Green Sun Hotel in Makati.
After reaching the finals twice before with his previous teams, Kelra was unable to get over the hump. But now with his trusty teammates in FNOP, it has proved all the difference. Right after winning it all, Kelra reflected on what made things different this time — and it all had to do with the mindset.
“Siguro masasabi ko 'yung [iba ay 'yung] mentality nila sa game. Kumbaga, kahit nung dalawang beses na kaming sunod na talo, nung nag-Game 7 na, parang talagang in-enjoy nalang talaga namin 'yung game,” Kelra said, remembering his teammates’ antics, including King “K1NGKONG” Perez’ draft shenanigans.
“Eto nga eh, [si K1NGKONG], habang draft, kumakanta pa eh. Kumakanta siya ng birds of a feather du'n sa stage. Pero 'yun siguro yung pagkakaiba, 'yung mentality nila at saka 'yung puso sa game,” he added.
The mentality stayed despite everything that was thrown at them in the whirlwind series against RORA, where they squandered a 3-1 lead against a surging Aurora Gaming side.
But when it mattered the most, Kelra was able to lean on his teammates and their single-minded goal of winning it all emerged as the game changer that helped them become first time MPL PH champions.
[RELATED: Kelra, Fnatic ONIC snag elusive MPL PH crown in cardiac win over Aurora Gaming]
“'Yung feeling ko talaga na lahat kami iisa lang eh. Kumbaga, ano 'yung nakikita ng isa, kumbaga, may iisang daan lang lahat,” he said.
Still, it wasn’t an easy path for Kelra personally as he enjoys the title with teammates K1NGKONG, Kirk “Kirk” Gutierrez, Frince “Super Frince” Ramirez, Borris “Brusko” Parro, and Brian “SpiderMilez” Santos.
After waiting so long, Kelra was starting to think that it wasn’t going to happen anymore.
“'Yung tumatakbo sa isip ko no'n kasi akala ko hindi talaga para sa'kin yung championship,” admitted Kelra, who last in the final in Season 7 and Season 9.
“Kumbaga 'di ba dapat tapos na namin nung Game 5 palang, bugbog na 'yung Aurora, tapos na-comeback kami tapos naka-comeback ulit kami nung pangalawang game. Kumbaga, tumatakbo sa isip ko talaga no'n may curse ba? May curse ba 'yung MPL sa'kin?”
But when the confetti started to fall, the emotions all came rushing to Kelra.
“Tapos pagkapanalo, naiyak talaga ako eh. Kasi parang 'di pala 'yung totoo na curse na gano'n. At saka akala ko mangyayari ulit 'yung Blacklist na laban namin nung Season 7, 3-1, tapos na-comeback kami… Sobrang dami kasing pinagdaanan eh. Kaya sobrang naiyak talaga ako,” he said.
After conquering MPL PH, Kelra and the rest of Fnatic ONIC can now set their sights on a bigger goal: seizing the M6 title back for Philippine MLBB.
FNOP and Aurora Gaming will be the Philippines’ two representatives to MLBB’s biggest stage in the tournament slated in Malaysia in December.