The Filipino representatives are bound to make waves internationally once more, and with the Gold Standard Duane "Kelra" Pillas returning to the MSC stage with ONIC Philippines, it will undoubtedly be one for the books.
“Sobrang saya kasi yung last season na nakapasok kami ng M6, iba yung pakiramdam, madalas dino-dominate namin yung mga laro nun. Ngayon kasi dalawang game five tapos isang 3-0. Ito talaga yung masasabi ko na sobrang saya sa pakiramdam kasi nalagpasan namin mga problema namin as a team,” Kelra said in an exclusive interview with SPIN.ph.
ONIC Philippines faced a tough journey to MSC 2025, with every team in MPL Philippines stepping up to world-class standards that challenged their supremacy. In case you missed it, the Super Family survived 10 grueling games against Twisted Minds and Aurora Gaming in the MPL Philippines Season 15 playoffs that pushed them to their limit.
Is Indonesia a massive threat?
What significance does the Gold Standard’s comeback to the MSC stage hold, and what will change this time around?
“Ang difference lang hindi kami underdog ngayon. Kumbaga, kami yung tinitignan ng mga international teams. Nung nasa Omega kami, parang “underdog” lang kami. Parang “nakachamba” lang ganun sa MSC namin nun,” he said.
Taking a trip down memory lane, Kelra claimed the MSC crown with Execration in 2021, where he also received the Finals MVP award, followed by a respectable third-place result in 2022 under the Smart Omega banner.
Then when asked which region could pose a threat to the Philippines' dominance at MSC, Kelra acknowledged Indonesia.
“Indonesia. Nakikita ko yung laro nila, hindi na puro bakbakan, nag-uutakan na rin,” Kelra explained.
Even though the job is not yet done, Kelra brims with confidence that ONIC Philippines can take the MSC title; if not, another Filipino representative will.
“100% confident ako na mag cha-champion and Pilipinas,” he expressed.
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