SMART Communications is helping out one of the pioneering esports organizations in its expansion to the Philippines.
South Korean esports team T1 is joining hands with SMART as it looks to conquer the Philippine market.
T1 is a three-time world champion in League of Legends and houses one of the top Dota 2 teams in the world.
“We are more than delighted to help our former coach Kuku and welcome T1 to the Philippines,” said First Vice President and Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart Jude Turcuato.
“This is part of Smart’s advocacy to help develop esports in the Philippines and empower Filipino esports athletes as they make their mark in the global arena.”
Besides LOL and DOTA, T1 also has teams in Apex Legends, Fortnite, Hearthstone, PUBG, Super Smash Brothers, Pokemon, Valorant, and Overwatch.
SMART, meanwhile, manages Omega Esports.
Under the partnership, Smart will provide facilities that will support T1’s expansion in the Philippines.
Glad is Filipino T1 star Kuku Palad about the partnership. Kuku previously coached Omega’s Dota 2 team.
“We just want to take this opportunity to thank Smart and Smart Omega for helping us with our boot camp,” said Palad, who also has compatriots Khim “Gabbi” Villafuerte and Karl Jayme as teammates.
“They have also helped us get professional IT support on standby, especially during official matches. The facilities are good, and the place is safe as well.”
T1, along with eight other squads in the region, is set to play in the Southeast Asia Dota Pro Circuit Division I this month.
