World class fighting game player by day, diligent student by night.
Alexandre “AK” Laverez year has been full with all the international tournaments he’s participated in but he’s also been able to maintain his studies as well. The 23 year old world warrior was spotted in the MPL Arena at the Green Sun Hotel serving as an assistant manager for Falcons AP.Bren.
AK is currently in his senior year at the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, studying Business Management. He’s fulfilling his On-the-Job Training requirement and he’s chosen to go to Falcons AP.Bren for fairly straightforward reasons. “I chose Falcons AP.Bren kasi sila talaga yung kilalang one of the best, if not the best, esports team sa Pilipinas,” said AK. “Tapos naging factor din na yung mga players, magkaibigan kami. Maganda lang yung team, in short.”
Beyond that, there’s likely no better team for AK to learn the ins-and-outs of esports from than Falcons AP.Bren. “Ayaw ko talaga iiwan yung esports,” said AK when asked what his plans were beyond college. “Gusto ko mag-work sa esports industry kasi ang sarap at saya mag-work sa esports industry. Nakikita mo yung mga events na ito, nakaka-travel ka to represent the Philippines. Sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam yung ganon. So after graduation, siyempre magfo-focus pa rin ako sa gusto ko, witch is esports.”
Finding the Right Balance
What’s more impressive is that AK is able to balance the workload of both college and a professional esports career. When asked how he’s been able to maintain this balance, AK said “unang-una ang priority ko is yung studies ko. So hindi sa mahirap i-maintain or i-balance. Basta alam mo yung anong uunahin mo tapos meron ka nang organized schedule, maba-balance mo yan.”
Still, AK has a few more big international tournaments waiting for him before the end of the year. Between that and his final requirements before marching, one would think there’s an immense amount of pressure juggling all that. Not so for AK.
“Wala naman. Kasi the fact na matagal ko na ginagawa ito, prepared na ako sa ganitong situations. Kailangan ko na lang mag-practice para hindi ako lamigin or mawala sa current meta. So hindi naman ako pressured, excited nga kasi bagong opportunity ito.”
Banner photo by Mark Roe / Red Bull Content Pool.