Sam_H, Shanks join SMART Omega

Meet the new members of the SMART Omega eSports family.

In line with their upcoming debut in the second season of the Dota Pro Circuit - Southeast Asia upper division, SMART Omega eSports on Wednesday tapped a couple of individuals, Sam "Sam_H" Hidalgo and Mark "Shanks" Redira.

Hidalgo, a former TNC offlaner and is a veteran of The International, was last with T1. Redira, a 10K MMR support who was last with Indian side Reckoning eSports alongside fellow former Omega teammates Linuel "Teehee" Abanto and Benhur "Benhur" Lawis, was part of the previous Omega roster that had been replaced by the Adroit eSports core prior to the 2021 Dota Pro Circuit season.

In making the announcement, Omega eSports Chief Operating Officer Patrick Cruz says, "First I'd like to say that we're very sad that we have to change the roster again. It's very quick and very sudden, we don't even have any idea how are we going to fill that slots but we're also blessed that we still have talents around the country just like Sam_H and Shanks that are willing to trust Omega to give them another future career in eSports."

Cruz adds, "We are very positive that these boys will definitely do everything they can to reach the DPC Majors for next season."

The two will replace Jun "Bok" Kanehara and Marvin "Boomy" Rushton, who both left for TNC.

They will join midlaner Mc Nicholson "Mac" Villanueva, support Bryle "cml" Alvizo, and carrry Justin "Tino" Grimaldo in a bid to secure a Major slot in the upper division against the likes of Fnatic, Neon eSports, T1, TNC Predator, Boom eSports, Execration, and LilGun.

Season Two is scheduled to open on April 13, with 1150 DPC points up for grabs.

SMART Omega to hold special eSports exhibition with select sports stars

SMART Omega

Even with their ongoing participation in the second season of The Nationals, SMART Omega eSports keep themselves busy with some change-of-pace action, as they continue their preparations for the upcoming M2 World Championships.

The squad, who finished second in the sixth season of MPL-Philippines, invited select student-athletes, as well as players from Spikers' Turf side PLDT Home Fibr to join them in for a set of exhibition matches, called the Omega Crossover.

According to SMART Omega team manager Miko Cuartero, "We want showcase that everyone can be a gamer no matter what sport you play. We also want to show how mobile gaming can bring everyone together."

Set to take place from December 13 to 15, the showpiece exhibition will feature two members of SMART Omega, two student-athletes, and an Ultra Fast Hitter in one team. The composition of the teams will be made in random. On the 15th, all players will be live at Omega's state-of-the-art hub in Quezon City.

Set to participate in the Omega Crossover are SJ Belangel and Dave Ildefonso of Ateneo, Shaun Ildefonso and Chino Mosqueda of National University, Kevin Quiambao and Emman Galman of La Salle, and Kemark Carino and Joshua Tagala of San Beda.

Representing PLDT Home Fibr are John Vic De Guzman, Mark Alfafara, Joshua Umandal, and Richard Solis.

Comprising SMART Omega are "Toshi" Adrian Bacallo, "Haze" Jeniel Bata-anon, "Heath" Earvin Esperanza, "Hadjizy" Salic Imam, "KurTzy" Jankurt Matira, "Kenji" Kenneth Villa, "Daledalus" Steven Vitug, and "Otit" Anthony Senedrin.

The event will be streamed on SMART Omega's Facebook page, with the matches taking place at 5pm and 730pm.