In his first campaign overseas, Duane “Kelra” Pillas proved he is a cut above the rest, winning his first-ever Regular Season Most Valuable Player award in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Professional League (MPL) Indonesia Season 17.

Transferring from ONIC PH to ONIC Esports in the offseason, Kelra wasted little time in making his mark, seamlessly adapting to his new system and emerging as a driving force behind the team’s charge to the top of the regular season standings with a commanding 13-3 record.

He then powered the team into the grand finals, helping ONIC Esports take down Bigetron by Vitality in the upper bracket semifinals before dispatching Geek Fam in the upper bracket finals to become the first team to book a spot in the championship round.

All of that came in the midst of a deeply personal ordeal, as Kelra lost his father and biggest supporter Rex late in the regular season.

Kelra was also named to the Mythical First Team alongside teammate and fellow Filipino Kairi “Kairi.” Rayosdelsol.

This adds to his already growing list of accomplishments, which includes Best Rookie in MPL PH Season 7, Finals MVP of the Mid Season Cup, MPL PH Season 14 and M6 World Championship.

Kelra will look to steer ONIC Esports to a third consecutive championship on Sunday.