PLDT-Smart Omega team wins at nationals of Mobile Legends Conference

MANILA, Philippines – PLDT-Smart Omega proved to be unstoppable after emerging as the first champion of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Conference 1 of The Nationals held at Eastwood City, Libis.

Formed in partnership with professional esports management Sterling Global Dragons, PLDT-Smart Omega represented the telco companies at The Nationals, the country's first franchise-based esports league.

PLDT-Smart Omega comprises of the country’s youngest, top esports athletes including Dexter “Exort” Martinez, 22, top Kadita and Harith user in the Philippines; Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo, 18, one of the top marksman users in the country; EJ “Heath” Esperanza, 23, dubbed as the best Minotaur and Lolita user in the country; Kenneth “Kenji” Villa, 21,  one of the top fighter-users/offlaners in the Philippines; Paul “Kingpin” Rabandaban, 23, a rising mage user in the country; and Jay “Crypzu” Villanueva, 25, the captain and veteran tank player. Together, the team swept Cignal Ultra Warriors in three straight games in the best-of-five finals.

The team bagged P500,000 cash prize, while first runner-up Cignal and second runner-up Bren Epro took home P250,000 and P150,000, respectively.

“We are very proud of our PLDT-Smart Omega team for making history as the very first conference champions at the nationals,” said Oscar Reyes Jr., head of consumer market development and senior vice president of PLDT-Smart.

“They have worked tirelessly, giving their maximum effort toward this momentous achievement and we couldn’t be any happier to support them,” he added.

PLDT-Smart Omega members Dexter “Exort” Martinez, Adrian “Toshi” Bacallo, EJ “Heath” Esperanza, Anthony Dennis “Ynot” Senedrin, Kenneth “Kenji” Villa, 21, Paul “Kingpin” Rabandaban, and Jay “Crypzu” Villanueva—some of the best Mobile Legends: Bang Bang players in the country—were met warmly by Pangilinan and PLDT-Smart executives including PLDT Group Chief Revenue Officer and Smart Communications President Al S. Panlilio, PLDT SVP and Head of Consumer Business-Home Group Butch G. Jimenez Jr., and PLDT SVP and Head of Consumer Business-Individual Group Oscar Enrico A. Reyes Jr. during the visit following their historic victory at The Nationals.

Team Omega gave Cignal no quarter even until the very last moment, with a stunning play that saw the champions bring Lord into Cignal’s base through the bottom lane, protecting the giant boss minion well with great teamwork while taking down the enemy inhibitor. This surprise attack sealed the finals at a relatively early 11 minutes into the third game.

The teams will return for Conference 2 of The Nationals: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang in November.

PLDT and Smart, the Philippines’ telecommunications and digital services leaders, are valuable supporters of the highly competitive local esports scene by providing Filipinos with the best gaming experience powered by the fastest fixed and mobile networks in the country, as certified by global leaders in internet testing and analysis, Ookla, Tutela, and OpenSignal.

Get the latest e-sports updates by following the official Facebook account of PLDT-Smart Omega at www.facebook.com/PLDTSMARTOMEGA and the official Twitter and Instagram accounts of PLDT and Smart at @PLDTHome and @LiveSmart.