By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
In the world of esports where gender stereotypes often linger, the 2024 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational (MWI) has become a battleground for change.
Smart Omega Empress are using the tournament as a platform to showcase that women can compete at the highest levels alongside their male counterparts.
Following their decisive victory that secured a spot in the MWI 2024 playoffs, Rianne Magsino shared her team’s bold ambitions.
“Of course, as Smart Omega Empress, we aim to dominate the female MLBB scene,” the sub said.
“But more importantly, we want to prove that we can also stand toe-to-toe with male MLBB players. We want to show that the treatment and skills in esports are equal, regardless of gender. We’re on our way to proving that.”
Smart Omega Marketing Manager Froi Endaya echoed this sentiment, emphasizing a broader vision within the esports community: dismantling gender boundaries and advocating for equality in competitive gaming.
For the Empress, excelling on the international stage isn’t just about matching male teams but asserting that women can excel and deserve recognition alongside them.
“That’s precisely our goal,” Endaya affirmed. “We want to inspire not just female players in the Philippines, but women around the world, showing that they too can compete against male players.
“Our mission is to provide female gamers the opportunity to shine on the biggest stages, and hopefully, motivate young Filipinos and aspiring gamers to follow suit. This is just the beginning for Smart Omega Empress.”
The Empress has already made a strong impression in the MWI 2024, topping their bracket in the group stage with a 1-1-0 record and securing their playoff berth.
Endaya attributes their success to rigorous preparation, including frequent scrimmages against male teams.
“Our secret? It’s the hard work and commitment we put into these scrimmages,” he revealed.
“Playing against different male teams has sharpened our skills, and these girls have proven their dedication day in and day out.”
Since their formation in 2021, the team has weathered highs and lows, but their bond and the “Omega way” of bouncing back from defeats have kept them united.
“We’ve had our share of challenges, but what drives us is the ability to recover and learn from our setbacks,” Endaya noted.
“This is what the Omega way is all about.”
