Filipino Tekken sensation Alexandre “AK” Laverez delivered an electrifying performance at the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) for the Tekken World Tour Finals in Tokyo, Japan. He battled through a field of 576 players. He secured a 4th place finish over the weekend, showcasing heart, skill, and resilience from start to finish.
Laverez entered the main tournament ranked sixth overall on the tour leaderboard. This placed him among the top 20 players in the world. Organizers placed him in Group C. That group included Raef “Raef” Alturkistani of Saudi Arabia, Yoon “LowHigh” Sun-woong of South Korea, Shoji “double” Takakubo of Japan, and former world champion Jeong “Rangchu” Hyeon-ho of South Korea.
Although Laverez managed a solid win over Alturkistani, he ultimately fell short of advancing to the top 16. As a result, he dropped into the LCQ. There, he faced more than 500 hopefuls vying for a single remaining spot in the grand finals.
Laverez began the LCQ with confidence and momentum. He dominated the winner’s bracket early on. However, a narrow loss to Lee “EDGE” Ju-hyung of South Korea sent him into the lower bracket. Despite the setback, Laverez responded fiercely. He defeated South Korea’s Jeon “Jeondding” Sang-hyun in a clutch performance to stay alive in the tournament.
Nevertheless, his inspiring run came to an end after a loss to South Korea’s Han “Mulgold” Jae-gyun. That match left Laverez just shy of a finals berth. Still, his top-four finish stood out. It was one of the most impressive efforts from any Southeast Asian competitor in the field.
After the event, Laverez took to social media to thank his supporters. “Salamat sa dami ng pusong binigay nyo, 4th out of 576 players tayo,” he wrote. He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support he received throughout the weekend.
Although he narrowly missed the finals, Laverez’s 2024 season remains one of the most successful of his career. In May, he captured his first major international title at Combo Breaker 2024. That event ranks among the year’s biggest Tekken tournaments. The following month, he officially joined Natus Vincere (NAVI). NAVI is one of the world’s most prestigious esports organizations.
As the season moves forward, Laverez continues to establish himself as the face of Philippine Tekken. With his skill, discipline, and growing global fanbase, he now sets his sights on even greater success in 2025.
