Once thought to be a missing child at a mall arcade, Alexandre “AK” Laverez has since emerged as NAVI’s pride and one of the Philippines’ most decorated Tekken champions.
What started as a moment of worry for his family at a mall arcade turned out to be the first sign of a rare talent in the making.
At just four years old, Alexandre “AK” Laverez unknowingly began a career that would lead him to the top of the Tekken world.
While his family once thought they had lost him in a mall, they found him in the arcade—fully focused on a Tekken match, with strangers lined up to play against him.
“Although laro-laro lang naman siya, may history kasi ‘yon na may time na nawawala ako no’n… pagdating nila sa arcade, doon nakita nila ‘yong mga nakapila, may nakapila na nakikipaglaro sa’kin.”
Today, that same kid is NAVI’s pride, a top-tier international esports athlete, and one of the most recognizable names in the Tekken community—not just in the Philippines, but worldwide.
“Ang nag-introduce po sa’kin ng Tekken is ‘yong tito ko,” AK said to One Sports. “Naglalaro-laro lang po kami, tapos nagsimula po ‘yon no’ng 4 years old ako, dinadala ako sa mga malls para maglaro,” he added.
What began as casual arcade bonding eventually turned serious. By age 9 or 10, AK was entering local tournaments. He didn’t find immediate success, often falling in the early rounds.
“May mga first round laglag agad.”
Still, he persisted. By 12, he was winning. And by 13, he shocked the world, finishing 3rd at the 2013 King of Iron Fist Global Championship for Tekken Tag Tournament 2—defeating world-class players and making international headlines.
Since then, AK has remained a consistent force in the global Tekken circuit. His runner-up finishes in EVO Japan 2019, WEGL Super Fight, and the Tekken World Tour Last Chance Qualifiers (2019 and 2023) are testaments to his sustained excellence.
[ALSO READ: TEKKEN: AK expresses gratitude to family, fans as he takes 2024 Combo Breaker trophy home]
Now 24, AK continues to elevate Philippine esports.
[RELATED: Tekken: AK joins Natus Vincere ahead of Esports World Cup]
At the recent Philippine GameDev Expo, he clinched the TEKKEN 8 championship at the Geek+Pop Fight Club × PGDX Incursion, showcasing his dominance and veteran poise under pressure.
It’s been a long grind—and one built on passion.
Despite his international success, AK’s motivation hasn’t changed much since his arcade days.
“Medyo same pa rin kasi ‘yong 4-year-old na AK no’n was playing for fun and love for the game… Nadagdagan lang kasi nag-mature na. I get to socialize with other people na rin. And dumarami na ‘yong mga kaibigan ko.”
His love for the game also fuels his commitment to the Filipino Tekken scene, which he proudly describes in one word: “Family.”
AK’s rise is not just a story of talent—but of community, consistency, and purpose. For the boy who was once “lost” in a mall arcade, it’s now clear he was simply finding his way.
His message to his younger self—and to others pursuing their passion—is as grounded as it is uplifting:
“Keep going lang, keep doing what you love, and eventually makikita mo na sobrang rewarding talaga. Ang sarap maging Esports athlete.”
From a curious child in front of a Tekken machine to a full-fledged champion and NAVI flag-bearer, AK’s story stands as proof: sometimes the game chooses you first. All you have to do is press start.
Watch the interview here: