Philippine esports team Smart Omega is gearing up for the much-anticipated Mobile Legends: Bang Bang M2 World Championships in January in Singapore.
“We’re definitely excited to represent the country, along with Bren Esports. This is the international stage, and we’re representing not just the Omega team, not just the brand, we’re representing our whole country. And it is a very big honor for us,” said Anthony Dennis Senedrin, coach of the Smart Omega team, in a press statement.
Growth of esports
“We’ve practiced for almost 12 hours a day and watched previous game plays in order to prepare for this competition. We are thankful for the support of the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) and Smart, win or lose,” said Smart Omega’s Kenneth Gian Villa.
Supported by Smart Communications, the young and talented esports athletes and their coaching staff made their first courtesy call to PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, a few days before their scheduled flight.
“After the Southeast Asian Games, I realized that esports has a tremendous impact in sports globally, and in the country. Philippine esports has a big potential to be at par with international esports, and we are very happy about the development,” Ramirez said.
“I believe in the Filipino talent, and I salute Smart for supporting and taking this important role in sports development in the country. On behalf of the government, through the Philippine Sports Commission, I take pride and joy in supporting these young esports athletes. We hope that they achieve good things in Singapore,” he said.
“We have over 43 million gamers in the Philippines, and we want to be able to boost this community. Smart, our parent firm PLDT, and the rest of the MVP Group, are fully behind sports development in the country because we believe that sports plays a vital role in nation-building,” said Smart FVP and Head of Sports Jude Michael H. Turcuato.
