By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
Smart Omega Empress secured their playoff spot for the 2024 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational (MWI) on Thursday evening at the AMAZON Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Empresses, considered one of the top contenders of the MWI, finished on top of Group B with a 1-1-0 record.
They defeated Myanmar’s Net Angels 2-0 after fending off the upset-seeking Dream Max Girls (Brazil) with a tie, 1-1.
The Filipina representatives ended Day 2 on a high note as Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto, playing Roger, led Smart Omega Empress to a Game 1 victory over the Myanmar squad.
In Game 2, the Filipinas had the chance to end the game in just 12 minutes and 26 seconds, but they fell short due to minion waves, resulting in a wipeout on their side.
However, the Angels didn’t finish the game with a straight push attempt in the mid-lane, allowing the Empresses to respawn one by one.
The game was decided as the Empresses took down all of Net Angels’ members during the final Lord clash in the 15th minute. Sheen “Shinoa” Perez emerged as the match MVP, recording five kills, 12 assists, and one death on her Melissa.
However, during their series opener, the Season 7 Female Pro League Champions started the match against DreamMax Girls on the wrong foot.
Smart Omega Empress suffered a defeat in Game 1 as they couldn’t defend their base turret due to enhanced minion waves, with Mariê “Aslan” Mezalira (Moskov) finishing the game in 26 minutes.
The Filipinas bounced back in Game 2, ending it in just 12 minutes and 42 seconds. Shinoa once again demonstrated dominance on her Karrie, achieving a perfect KDA of six kills and two assists.
Along with Smart Omega Empress in Group B, Net Angels also clinched a playoff spot with a 1-0-1 record.
In Group C, four Filipinas helped their teams advance to the next round.
Riyannn and Gaylee of the Victory Song Gamers finished on top of their group with a 2-1-0 record, while Denise “Taro” Maragisan and Ramici of Zino Lilies concluded the group stage with a 1-1-1 record.
Advancing to the next stage in Group A are Falcons Vega (Indonesia); Filipino coach Neil “Midnight” De Guzman and Filipina Jey Rose “Jewel” Enriquez’s Cloud9 Female (North America).
Meanwhile, Team Vitality (Indonesia) and Gaimin Gladiators (Canada) will advance in Group D.
Smart Omega Empress will face Gaimin Gladiators in the first round of the playoffs in a single-elimination best-of-three format on Friday at the same arena.
