Smart Omega, the professional esports team backed by Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), recently unveiled its acquisition of Execration’s Mobile Legends Southeast Asia (MSC) Cup 2021 championship-winning roster for the much anticipated MPL-PH season slated on Monday night, July 12. 

The roster that made a stellar championship title run remains intact, consisting of MPL veterans Billy “Z4pnu” Alfonso, Kiel VJ “Kielvj” Hernandez, Renz “Renzio” Cadua, Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic, and Joshua “Ch4knu” Mangilog, as well as MPL-PH Season 7’s rookie sensation and MSC Finals MVP-gold laner, Duane “Kelra” Pillas.

Completing the 10-man lineup includes ex-Execration and ULVL standout Dian “Dian” Cruz and rookies Romeire “Allidap” Padilla, Dean “Raizen” Sumagui, and Robert “Hito” Candoy.

Jomie “P4kbet” Abalos, who was renowned for his shot-calling abilities in both MPL-PH S7 and MSC 2021, turned to be the team’s tactician while Omega’s former mentor Tony “Ynot” Senedrin has been promoted to head of coach and player development.

“Maraming salamat sa pagtanggap sa amin dito. Gagawin namin ang best namin. Para sa amin, start pa lang ito ng aming journey at pinapangako namin na gagawin naming lahat ng makakaya namin,” Zapnu expressed in a statement.

“Ang message ko naman sa fans, sana suportahan niyo pa rin kami kahit may bago kaming team, sama-sama pa rin kaming lalaban sa mga tournament,” he added.

SMART Sports head Jude Turcuato noted that the acquisition will feature a mix of veterans and new players which he believes is the best move for Smart Omega in future matches. 

“I think it’s the best-case scenario for us. I think it was a slight disappointment last year when we competed with Bren Esports in Singapore and we didn’t win. And for us to be able to have this type of team with our revamp is for me the best-case scenario to have the Southeast Asian champions now fully supported by the resources of Smart and Smart Omega,” Turcuato said.

“The talent that we have, the popularity and the following that we now have, I think that all the combination gives us, puts us in a very very good situation to do very well across the board performance-wise, popularity-wise,” he continued. 

Meanwhile, Omega Esports Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Cruz, shared his two cents regarding the new formation of the squad.

“The feeling of having a new team is both refreshing and just pure awesomeness. But deep down, we are very anxious to see if both Omega and the past Execration team will embrace the evolution when two different cultures mix,” he averred.