Still winless almost halfway through the season, Smart Omega head coach Ronet “Stronger” Tan is ready to implement what he describes as drastic changes in the team in hopes of making a run for the playoffs.
The first change involves elevating midlaner Jayson “Riku” Alupit to the MPL. He is a member of the Omega Neos, which currently sits third in the MDL Philippines Season 3 standings.
“Meron kasi kaming in-house scrim. Doon naman kami nagbe-base eh. May 10-man roster kami. Nagkataon na eto yung nagpe-perform, so ine-expect namin na magpe-perform sa tournament,” Stronger said on what led to the roster change decision.
“Drastic change talaga ang kailangan.”
He added, “We’re considering siguro ibang role din. Parang meron kaming mga player na parehong magaling sa role nila pero yung sa role na to yung butas so baka magchange ng role. Something na kailangan naming tignan pa.”
With the losses piling up, Omega is left scrambling for a leader who will lead the team’s turnaround.
“Kailangan namin yung susuntok sa loob ng laban pagdating na ng tournament. Yun yung nawawala kapag tournament na dun sa current na main five namin. Yung leader, yung willing talagang mag-take ng risk sa ganung stiwasyon. Yun yung nakita namin na kelangan namin mahanap or ma-workout.” Stronger said.
Assistant coach Lemuel Josh “Coach Lembot” Lucban admitted that disappointment is running high as of late after the team failed to convert the gains from favorable scrimmage results over the past weeks.
“Okay naman sa scrim. Ibang iba yung laro sa scrim kumpara sa tournament kaya nagugulat kami. Parang medyo disappointed kapag ka eto na sa tournament tas ganun yung laro nila.,” he said.
“Ang hirap nang mag-rely sa scrim eh. Yung mental fortitude pagkaapak ng stage, yun yung kailangan naming ma-gauge,” Stronger added.
