Smart Omega Empress are now world champions, yet they remain grounded, acknowledging their roots.
Members of the team expressed gratitude to former Smart Omega manager Rhealyn “Persian” Navarro, who was instrumental in bringing them into one of the biggest esports organizations in the Philippines.
“Thankful po ako kay Ma’am Persian kasi siya yung unang nakadiscover sa potential namin as a team,” said jungler Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto. Team captain Mery Christine “Meraay” Vivero added that Persian was truly an instrumental figure when the Empress was just starting out.
“Siya po yung nag-approach sa amin bago kami pumasok sa Smart Omega hanggang sa siya na yung naging first manager namin doon,” added Meeray.
“Thankful po ako sobra kay Ma’am Persian kasi dahil po sa kanya, nabigyan kami ng opportunity na makapasok sa isang magandang org na nakatulong talaga sa growth namin as a team.”
Back then, the all-Cebuana squad of LVD Huntress – composed of Keishi, Meeray, Rica Fatima “Amoreee” Amores, Sheen “SHINOA” Perez, and Phoebe “FIBI” Taburnal (now with TNC Z4) – became one of the strongest teams in the female scene.
Persian was casting for the Female MLBB League Liga Adarna when she scouted and recruited the ladies to play under Smart Omega.
Persian is no stranger to the competitive scene as a former professional MLBB player herself. She was a member of Bren Victress, which won the FSL MLBB Philippines title in 2019 and also finished third in the FSL MLBB Elite in Singapore.
“Hindi sila nakapag-champion sa Liga Adarna, pero tumatak talaga sila sa akin kasi magagaling lahat at lakas nila maglaro,” recalled Persian in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
“Dumating yung point na nauso yung mga all-girls MLBB teams. Sila agad kinuha ko kahit nasa Cebu kasi alam kong worth it.”
The former Smart Omega manager can’t help but be proud of the girls who have now proven that the Philippines is the strongest region in terms of female MLBB.
“Happy ako for them. Sobrang laki ng tiwala ko sa kakayahan nila since nagsisimula pa lang sila sa Liga Adarna. Alam ko malayo mararating nila sa paraan ng paggawa nila ng plays at pag-strategize sa laro. Super nakaka-proud sila,” she expressed.
“Cheering ako kahit wala na ako bilang manager nila.”
