A cloud of uncertainty has shrouded the Philippines’ participation in the upcoming ONE Esports: Singapore Major.
This, as the Philippine government suspended the entry of foreign nationals and returning overseas Filipinos who are non-overseas workers into the country starting March 20 until April 19.
The said measures were meant to limit the on-going rise of coronavirus cases (COVID-19) in the country while also preventing the entry of other variants from different countries.
The first Dota Pro Circuit Major this year is set to take place from March 27 to April 4.
The Neon Esports quintet of John Anthony “Natsumi-” Vargas, Erin “Yopaj” Ferrer, Ejay “PlayHard” Maque, Gabriel “skem” Ong, Jaunuel “Jaunuel” Arcilla; T1’s Carlo “Kuku” Palad and Karl “Karl” Jayme, and Fnatic’s Djardel “Dj” Mampusti and Polo “Raven” Fausto; and Evil Geniuses’ Abed “Abed” Yusop will have no problems leaving the country.
But as per Valve Major’s travelling rules, teams will have to leave Singapore as soon as they get eliminated — meaning that these players are expected to encounter issues flying back.
Abed’s Evil Geniuses and Fnatic have qualified for the Singapore Major playoffs while Neon Esports — the lone all-Filipino squad in the tourney — is already at the group stage. Meanwhile, T1 will have to go through the wild card phase to earn their spot in the group stage.
