As hard as it was, Execration had no choice but to release their Mobile Legends roster, which was coming off a momentous victory in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asia Cup after the organization failed to secure one of the eight slots in the upcoming franchise-based MPL Philippines Season.
But before sending their players off for good, the Execration management, led by owner Arvin Risos, made one last promise to the boys.
And that is they will make sure to help them find an ideal home where they can continue to thrive and find success — just like what they did in Execration.
So, despite several lucrative offers from MPL clubs, Risos kept his lines open in hopes of finding a team that will suit his boys best.
And that’s where Smart Omega Esports came in.
“Marami rin naming lumapit before yung Omega pero parang yung boss kasi namin siya yung nakakakita si boss Arvin [Risos],” said team captain Patrick “E2MAX” Caidic in Omega Esports’ roster reveal last Monday.
“Siya ‘yung nakakaalam kung saan maganda, kung saan kami mas maalagaan, so ‘yun. Parang naging choice niya na rin na… sobrang ganda rin kasi ng binigay na benefits ng Omega. Alam ni boss Arvin na maalagaan kami dito sa Smart kaya ito ‘yung napili namin.”
Aside from the benefits, one factor that ultimately led to the decision was the fact that Omega Esports — unlike the other MPL teams who tried to make a run on the roster — offered to take the entire Execration core as a whole. Everyone, from sixth man Billy “Z4pnu” Alfonso to coach Jomie “Pakbet” Abalos.
“’Yung ibang team talaga, kinukuha kami nang tagpi-tagpi, hiwa-hiwalay. Talagang ‘yung Smart talaga [kinuha kami nang buo], kaya maraming thank you talaga sa Smart,” said Z4pnu.
For the Mobile Legends icon, keeping the core that he built is very important considering the challenges that they went through and the bond that they built throughout the past months.
Execration had a bumpy start to its MPL Philippines Season Seven campaign. After winning their opening match against Omega Esports, the team played inconsistently all throughout the regular season. They went on to drop five consecutive games heading to the playoffs.
The LuponWxC-backed squad had to fight its way to the playoffs up until the last day of the regular season. It salvaged a third-place finish in Group B through a 6-7 card.
In the first round of the lower bracket, Execration took out a revamped ONIC PH squad in five games. It then dispatched Omega Esports in the second round through another thrilling five-game series.
Come the lower bracket third round, Execration crawled from a zero-to-two deficit to score an upset against Bren Esports – their third five-game series in the playoffs.
The team then swept Aura PH in the lower bracket finals and came to a win away from securing the Season Seven title. It eventually lost to eventual champion Blacklist International in seven games.
But Execration quickly got its sweet revenge over the Tier One-backed squad in the MSC, winning the grand finals series through a 4-1 outing.
“Para sa akin napaka-importante na buo pa rin kami ngayong season kasi sobrang hirap mabuo ng chemistry talaga, sobrang hirap mabuo nun. Bale ang nangyari kasi nung last MPL namin, puro kami talo kasi miscommunications. Hindi nagkakaintindihan ‘yung buong team,” added Z4pnu.
“Kaya para sa akin, maraming maraming salamat sa Smart kasi kinuha kami nang buo.”
