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| (Image Source: Gadget Pilipinas/Smart Communications) |
Smart Omega (formerly known as PLDT-Smart Omega), the official eSports team supported by leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, will be one of the two professional squads representing the Philippines in the upcoming M2 Mobile Legends Bang Bang (MLBB) World Championships. Happening on January 18-24, 2021 in Singapore, M2 is slated to be the first in-person competition for MLBB since the start of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
Smart Omega is composed of six Filipino professional Mobile Legends players namely Kenneth Jiane "Kenji" Villa, Jeniel "Haze" Bata-anon, Salic "Hajid" Imam, Earin John "Heath" Esperana, Jankurt Russel "Kurtzzy" Matira and Adrian "Toshi" Bacallo. This young and talented pro team already has several awards under its belt since its formation and formal launch last year including multiple championships and top awards in The Nationals, Just ML competition, Juicy Legends Pro Division and various seasons of Mobile Legends Professional League - Philippines (MPL-PH). Two of its players, Kenji and Haze, have represented the country in several global tournaments. They won gold under the banner of the Philippines' national eSports team SIBOL during the debut of the multi-platform eSports category in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. On the other hand, Haze also has the Challenger Summit Singapore and the 2018 Southeast Asian Cyber Arena (SEACA) championship titles on his resume, among others.
Joining Smart Omega to represent the Philippines in M2 is the MPL-PH Season 6 champion Bren eSports. Both teams are founding members of the Smart-backed Philippine eSports Organization (PESO), the official National Sports Association that governs and develop eSports in the country. Aside from the Philippines, professional teams from Japan, Brazil, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Russia are also slated to compete in the international competition. These squads and their respective personnel shall follow strict health protocols all throughout the event, and there will be no live audience inside the venue to ensure the safety and well-being of the participating athletes.
"There are over 43 million gamers in the Philippines' growing eSports industry. This global competition would mean a lot to our mobile eSports community and we could not be prouder to support our very own Smart Omega team as they represent our flag in the global stage," said Smart President and CEO and newly-elected Philippine Olympic Committee First Vice-President Alfredo S. Panlilio. "Our support for Filipino eSports athletes through the years is rooted in our firm belief that our players have the skill, talent and dedication to be at par with the world's best players. We hope that Smart Omega can be an inspiration to Filipino casual players and fans to help them realize and pursue their passion for eSports," said Smart's Senior Vice-President and Consumer Wireless Business Head Jane J. Basas.
