The Gold Standard gets to test his mettle again in the upcoming season.
It’s a new year, new season, new faces, and new challenges for ONIC PH Kelra as he and the rest of the world champs head into MPL PH S15. As the M6 Finals MVP, Grant “Kelra” Pillas is entering the new season with a lot of eyes on him. But that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t have his focus on a few players as well
“Excited ako dahil andaming bumalik na players,” says ONIC PH Kelra.
A number of overseas players are coming back to MPL PH this season. In particular, Kelra can’t wait to play against TNC’s Tristan “Yawi” Cabrera. “Since bago pa akong naging player ng ONIC, siya talaga yung player gusto ko talunin. Kasi lagi ako natatalo sa kanya so gusto ko nang bumawi.”
Of course, we couldn’t talk about the new things in the MPL without mentioning the departure of Blacklist International and RSG Philippines. Kelra himself was shocked when the news broke out. “Kahit sinong team or player, hindi mae-expect na mawawala yung mga ganung orgs.”
He reflected on just how influential the two teams were to not just the MPL but MLBB esports as a whole. “Halimbawa, kung may gumamit ng [hero na si] Estes, di ba iisipin mo yung Blacklist? Parang meron na silang naiwan sa league.”
A Promising New Season
Something that any world champion carries with them into the new season is the fact that people now have certain expectations of them. That might be doubly true for ONIC PH Kelra as the M6 Finals MVP. His stellar run in M6 solidified his title as The Gold Standard of Gold Laners. Being the best Gold Laner in the world carries a lot of weight but for him, that’s already all in the past.
“Yung mga achievements na yun, kinalimutan ko na sila. Kumbaga, iniwan ko na sila nung December,” said Kelra matter-of-factly. It’s literally a new year and new season for him, filled with potential and promise.
“Yung mindset ko ngayon is kailangan ko gumawa ng bagong achievements para ma-motivate ako. At siguro kung best Gold Laner in the world nga ako, pananalitiin ko yun.”
Banner photo from MOONTON Games.