ASIDE from getting the distinction as the world’s best, the champions crowned at the M-Series World Championship stage also get the honor of choosing a hero to bear a skin that immortalizes their legacy in the Land of Dawn.
Only recently, the Finals MVPs have also been given the chance to design their own skin.
For ONIC Philippines’ Duane “Kelra” Pillas, the skin carries something far greater than trophies could offer—a piece of his life story woven forever into the game.
Flashy, futuristic, and charismatic are just a few words to describe Beatrix's “Sky Force Maverick,” but its most eye-catching feature is the name “Slake” embroidered on her crop top.
More than just a skin, it stands as a symbol of power and excellence—a timeless reminder that Kelra once conquered the world. Yet, even in this moment of glory, he chose not to keep the spotlight for himself, but to honor the one who matters most: his son, Greyson Slake Pillas.
“Super excited ako sa skin kasi nandoon ‘yung pangalan ng anak ko. Simula pa lang noon, kung manalo man ako ng M-Series o Finals MVP, ang sabi ko, ilalagay ko talaga ‘yung pangalan ng anak ko, hindi pwedeng mawala, kasi gusto ko ipagmalaki o ipakita talaga sa paglaki niya,” Kelra said in an exclusive interview with SPIN.ph.
Time flies indeed. Just a few months ago, before flying to Malaysia for the M6 World Championship, he was seen holding his son in his arms, not knowing that he would soon turn his dream of becoming a world champion into reality.
With a clear vision in mind, Kelra knew exactly what he wanted during the design process—insisting that his son’s name came first, even before his own identity.
“Ang naging proseso, ang sinabi ko lang, kailangan may pangalan ng anak ko doon sa Beatrix skin. Gusto ko nababanggit ‘yung pangalan ng anak ko sa voiceline ni Beatrix. And ‘yung buhok ko, ‘yun yung pangalawa ko na sinabi na kung ano ‘yung buhok ko, ganoon ‘yung gawin nila na buhok ni Beatrix,” Kelra explained to SPIN.ph.
“Sobrang proud at masaya ako dahil isinama ng MOONTON ang hiling ko—hindi na mawawala ang skin na ito at nakatatak na sa MLBB,” he added.
“Sana suportahan kami ng Sonics at ng MLBB community dahil hindi lang ito skin, dala nito ang buong kwento at identity namin bilang ONIC. Maraming salamat sa MOONTON dahil nasunod lahat ng gusto namin at 'pag nakita mo yung skin, identity ko talaga.”
For Slake!
The voice lines of Beatrix’s MVP skin that mention Slake include: “This is for Slake!”, “Make way for Slake!” and “A future where Slake can soar free, that’s what I’m fighting for!”
This may be the biggest milestone in the career of the “Gold Standard,” but Kelra is far from done—he is determined to conquer even greater heights, with his eyes set on returning to the world stage at the M7 World Championship in Indonesia next year.
“Ito pa lang ‘yung simula para sa mas malaking pangarap. Siguro para makabalik kami doon (M-Series), panatilihin lang namin ‘yung mga good habits namin at ‘yung disiplina namin sa loob ng game, at ‘yung passion huwag lang mawawala,” he expressed.
Beyond the stage lights and roaring crowds, the MVP skin stands as proof that Kelra’s greatest victory goes beyond the game—it’s being a father who fulfills promises.
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