From being a problematic teenager that got himself into several controversies and trouble back in his early days as a pro to that player who is brimming with maturity even with the pressure and the stakes soaring high, Duane “Kelra” Pillas has lined up himself in the list of the best ever to do it.

After helping Fnatic Onic Philippines to a tournament sweep of the M6 World Championship, Kelra became the first player to ever win Finals MVP on all levels of Moonton-sanctioned tournaments.

He was once a Finals MVP in MSC back during his days with Execration and just this year got the same award in the MPL Philippines and M-series Worlds.

And with all the success he’s relishing, Kelra believes his past experiences, even the bad ones, are all part of his journey to what he has become now.

“Sobrang halaga ng maturity ko kasi kumbaga dati may mga tao akong naapakan ngayon kasi iniisip ko muna bago ko gawin yung isang bagay,” said Kelra who once got suspended by MPL over homophobic and sexual remarks.

As he chased for MLBB Esports glory, Kelra had gone through a lot – from near-misses and heartbreaking defeats, one at the grand finals of MPL Season 9 against RSG PH to enduring some losing seasons – changing him for the better.

The swag and banters against his opponents were still there but all in good fun – but minus the arrogance and brashness.

“Kumbaga iniisip ko yung mararamdaman ng tao, mararamdaman niya kapag ginawa ko iyon,” he said.

It also added to his development that now he also has bigger responsibilities to handle, becoming a father at just 19 years old.

The mindset eventually translated to Kelra’s maturity in-game as he picked his time to take over for his squad. In the five-game Finals series, he stepped up to the plate and delivered one of the dominant performances on the gold lane behind his Bruno, Beatrix and Irithel picks.

Fittingly, he was the one that delivered the country’s fifth straight world title after going for the base lock in the series-clinching Game 5.

And in enjoying the M6 success, the Kelra of the past would likely brag about everything he has done and claim how he has become the best of them all.

But not his present and better version. Safe to say, he has learned to keep his feet on the ground and take everything with humility and respect

“Di pa siguro (one of the bests),” said Kelra.

“‘Yung ibang tinatawag na GOAT sobrang dami nang champion like si Karltzy, dalawa yung M-world nya kumbaga. Siguro macoconsider mo na parang GOAT kumbaga kapag two-time MPL, two-time MSC and two-time M-world dun ko lang macoconsider,” he added.