KING "K1NGKONG" CYRIC PEREZ is now living the dream.
Gone are those days when people only remember him as that talented jungler who was stuck at the bottom of the standings with TNC, or the jungler who doesn't have what it takes to win the gold.
With a regular season MVP award, an MPL PH Season 14 championship, and comparisons to Kairi "Kairi" Rayosdelsol, K1NGKONG is now a superstar, hoping that he could make his name in the world stage.
But there was a point in his life that could've changed his fortunes. At one point in his career, K1NGKONG's parents weren't convinced about his career as a professional esports athlete.
"Noong una hindi namin siya suportado kaso nakikita namin na gusto niya talaga. Kaya all support kami talaga sa kanya," revealed K1NGKONG's mother, Zayfin Perez, in an exclusive with SPIN.ph.
Fulfilling a promise
Like securing a purple and orange buff, K1NGKONG had to fight his way to attain his main objective. It was no easy task, especially since his father was deadset on him pursuing his education.
"At first hindi kami supportive parents sa kanya pagdating sa ganyan kasi syempre bata pa siya. Tapos kinausap niya ako, tulungan daw siya sa papa niya kasi siya talaga ayaw," said K1NGKONG's mother.
To convince the skepticism from his parents, the Fnatic Onic PH jungler made a promise.
"Sabi niya, 'Ma, bigyan niyo ako ng chance. Papakita ko talaga sa inyo kung ano yung kaya ko." Kaya naniwala na lang kami sa kanya. Ayun ipinakita niya sa amin kaya very proud kami sa kanya."
"Passion ko talaga ito. Mag-aaral din naman ako," as stated by K1NGKONG to his parents.
K1NGKONG was able to graduate Senior High School this year, months before the start of Season 14.
Afterwards he decided to take a pause in his education, and pour his entire heart into esports.
"Tinapos niya yung Senior High niya, nag-stop muna siya. Sabi pa niya, 'Dito na muna ako. Dito na muna ako mag-focus,' After neto doon natin pag-isipan yung next step," explained Zayfin Perez.
She added: "Kaya noong grumaduate siya ng Senior High, sabi namin, 'Ok papayag kami na hindi ka muna mag-aral, mag-focus ka muna diyan."
A chance to fly and defy gravity
Upon reflecting at that moment in K1NGKONG's career, his father, Roderick Perez was overwhelmed with emotions.
He realized how far K1NGKONG has arrived from the struggles he endured with TNC, to now reaching the grandest stage of them all.
"Unang-una thanks kay God and sa effort niya, yung paghihirap niya para makapasok. Actually mahirap pasukin yung liga na ito," started K1NGKONG's father.
"Noong na-transfer siya sa Onic, nakuha niya isa sa dream niya na makakuha ng kampeonato."
He added: "As parents, proud na proud kami sa kanya, pero sa buong team, suportado kami. Lagi kaming nandito para suportahan sila, sana makuha nila yung M6."
K1NGKONG's parents would oftentimes be seen inside the venue, watching their son play. However this time around, they wouldn't be able to support their child inside the venue.
This might pose a challenge since according to K1NGKONG's mother: "Sinu-sure namin na present kami kasi parang nakikita namin na parang mas nagiging malakas siya kapag nakikita niya kami, lalo na kapag nasa front."
But nevertheless, their full-pledged support remains.
"Bali kabado syempre kasi first time ng anak ko na pupuntang Malaysia pero support pa rin kami sa kanya kahit anong oras, kahit kailan. Nandito kami lagi para sa kanya and sa buong team," reflected Zayfin Perez.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
