Tekken star AK juggles Esports World Cup stint, law school, events management
MANILA, Philippines — For most esports athletes, qualifying for the Esports World Cup would already be a full-time pursuit.
For Alexandre “AK” Laverez, it is only one of several hats he wears.
The Filipino Tekken star is set to represent the country once again at the Esports World Cup (EWC), while simultaneously pursuing a law degree and helping lead Playbook Events, which recently hosted the Underground Arena: Major Tekken tournament during the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City over the weekend.
Fresh off securing his spot at EWC, Laverez admitted that returning to one of esports' biggest stages remains a special feeling.
"Sobrang sarap po sa feeling kasi magkakaroon ulit tayo ng chance to represent the Philippines sa Esports World Cup. And yun nga, hindi nakapasok last year and this year nakapasok. So talagang grateful ako dun sa opportunity. Pinaghandaan ko talaga siya," Laverez told Philstar.com.
In his last EWC, Laverez had been under the organization Natus Vincere. Going into this year’s tournament without an organization, Laverez is motivated as he continues to represent the country in whichever competition he participates in.
"Simula't simula naman, ang gusto ko talagang i-represent is yung Philippines. Gusto ko pa rin mag compete sa international stage. Ang nasa mindset ko, dala ko yung Pilipinas. So, malaking bagay yun. Ganun pa rin naman, bibigay ko yung best ko, yung pinag-practicean ko, and hopefully maganda yung result." said Laverez.
The return to the global stage comes after years of success that established Laverez as one of the Philippines' most accomplished fighting game players.
Dubbed as “the Filipino Tekken Prodigy”, Laverez first gained international recognition at just 12 years old when he represented the Philippines in Korea, eventually becoming one of the country's most recognizable fighting game talents. His career includes a runner-up finish at EVO Japan 2019 and a breakthrough victory at Combo Breaker 2024, where he captured his first major international Tekken title. Under the country’s national esports team, Sibol, Laverez has two silver finishes — first during the inaugural esports events back in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games hosted by the Philippines, and second during the 2023 IESF World Esports Championship held in Romania.
But while many players dedicate their lives solely to competition, Laverez’s schedule extends well beyond practice sessions and tournaments.
Alongside his esports commitments, the Tekken star is also studying law, a move that surprised many fans who initially believed it would signal the end of his competitive career.
Interestingly, becoming a lawyer was never part of Laverez’s original plans.
"Wala po siya sa isip ko. Sa isip ko lang maglaro. Pero nagkaroon kasi ako ng opportunity,” recalled Laverez.
As he continued studying, AK realized that law school offered lessons that went beyond legal concepts.
He added, "Para sa akin kasi important yung may knowledge ka pagdating [sa law]. Kasi simula nung inaaral ko siya, simula nung chinek ko kung ano ba yung mga natutunan, parang marami kang matutunan bukod sa law. Yung sa paano ka makipag-usap sa tao, paano ka makisama, paano ko mag-isip. Patong-patong na siya.”
Law school has also influenced how he approaches Tekken.
"Kailangan maalala ko rin kung ano yung exactong nakasulat sa law. Kasi pag meron kang binago ng unti dun, hindi na yun yung meaning. Same sa Tekken or sa pagka-compete. May exact na staple na juggle, kung ano yung staple na damage, hindi mo naman pwede mabago yun. Kasi pag binago mo yun, it's either maliit yung bawasa sa damage mo or maliit yung punish,” he explained.
Balancing law school, competition and event organizing is no easy task, but Laverez views it as part of pursuing the things he loves.
“‘Pag gusto mo, gagawin mo lahat. Gano'n naman po talaga, pag gusto mo, gagawin mo lahat. Talagang gagawa ka ng paraan para mabalance mo yung tatlo o yung mga passion mo sa buhay, and yung mga gusto mong gawin,” said Laverez.
Despite all he does outside of Tekken, Laverez’s love for competition, he stressed, remains unchanged.
"Gusto ko pa rin mag-compete, hindi yun mamawala. Kasi nandun talaga yung puso as a player, as a professional esports athlete," said Laverez.
Giving back
Away from competition and academics, Laverez has also turned his attention toward growing opportunities for aspiring Filipino esports athletes.
That vision was on display during PGDX, where his new venture, Playbook Events, organized the Underground Arena: Major Tekken tournament, supported by Tekken developer Bandai Namco.
For Laverez , the goal goes beyond simply running tournaments.
"Gusto kong ma-give back sa community na tumulong kung ano yung meron ako ngayon. Isa rin sa goal ko is, nagbibigay tayo ng opportunity para dun sa mga players ngayon,” said Laverez.
As someone who benefited from opportunities to compete internationally at a young age, Laverez hopes future generations can experience the same journey.
“Yung vision po for Playbook Events is maging isa na siya na tumutulong here sa local scene natin, na mabigyan ng mga opportunity yung mga local players natin to compete sa international stage. Kung ano, yung na-experience ng isang AK, simula nung bata siya, sana mabigay rin namin sa mga players ngayon, and ma-experience nila kung ano yung na-experience ko."
According to the Tekken veteran, tournaments remain one of the most important ingredients in developing the local fighting game community.
He added, “'Pag wala masyadong tournament, syempre walang sasalihan yung mga players. Wala silang opportunity para makilala sa international stage. Wala silang opportunity para mapakita na, ah, malakas din pala tong player na ito, wala lang chance to play."
Laverez believes strengthening the local ecosystem is key to producing future world champions.
"Pinapalakas natin yung scene ng Philippines, yung local scene natin here sa Philippines. Kasi magiging champions lang tayo sa buong mundo kung yung community natin here sa Philippines is malalakas talaga and champion worthy."
Driven by the future
Looking back, Laverez pointed to two moments that had a profound impact on his life and career.
The first came as a young player representing the Philippines overseas.
"Yung unang international tournament natin, which is yung 12 years old ako sa Korea, kasi dun nakilala na, ah, meron palang player sa Philippines,” he recounted.
The second was representing the country in the Southeast Asian Games.
"SEA Games, hindi po natin yan makakalimutan. Isa rin yan sana nagaroon ng huge impact sa akin kasi yan po yung nakapagpaaral sa akin. Yan yung rason kung bakit nandito po ko ngayon."
As he prepares for another international campaign, continues his legal studies, and expands Playbook Event's role within the esports community, Laverez remains motivated by the same goal that fueled his rise from prodigy to champion.
"Primary motivation ko po, yun pa rin naman kung ano yung motivation ko dati. Mag-succeed sa mga dreams na gusto kong mangyari, hindi lang para sa akin, kundi para sa buong league, para sa esports scene natin dito sa Pilipinas."
And if he eventually achieves everything he hopes to accomplish, Laverez already knows the legacy he wishes to leave behind to future Filipino esports athletes.
"Ang gusto ko lang po na maging legacy ko if ever na mangyari yun, is pag nakikita po ko ng mga tao or mga bata, ma-inspire sila, and mas mamahalin nila yung esports scene here sa Philippines."
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