After missing last season’s playoffs, Smart Omega looks poised for a strong return with the appointment of head coach Hans “Wuraaaah” Solano.
The journeyman coach has returned to MPL Philippines following successful stints in MPL Indonesia with Geek Fam ID and Bigetron Esports, where he led both squads to third-place finishes in consecutive seasons.
It is from these experiences that Wuraaaah draws his confidence, believing the lessons he learned abroad will help him steer Smart Omega toward a playoff berth.
“Tingin ko marami akong nakuha (sa MPL ID), lalo na’t hindi kami masyadong nagkakaintindihan, kaya nag-adjust ako nang marami. Mas marami akong dinagdag na paraan kung paano ako nagtuturo (sa Indonesia). Pagbalik ko dito sa Pilipinas, mas madali kasi may mga baon na akong learnings,” Wuraaaah said in an exclusive interview with Tiebreaker Times.
“Nag-adjust ako sobra sa visuals para mas magkaintindihan kami. Habang inaaral ko yung mga salita nila, dinagdagan ko yung mga visuals sa presentation ko sa kanila,” he added.
(C) MPL PH
Wuraaaah joins Omega at a time when the team welcomed back former mainstays Salik “Hadji” Imam and Dean “Raizen” Sumagui, both of whom have represented the organization in international tournaments.
Omega’s early-season resurgence also reflects Wuraaaah’s familiarity with Raizen, returning player Czedrick “SUPER YOSHI” Romero, and Kenneth “Netskie” Barro.
“Ang nadagdag lang na bago sa akin ay si Hadji at si Jeymz kasi yung tatlo nahawakan ko dati nung nasa ONIC ako,” he recalled.
“Tingin ko mas matalino sila, marami silang alam, pero medyo hindi nila alam kung kailan gagamitin. Kaya yun yung ina-adjust ko ngayon. Siguro sa lahat ng mga players na nahawakan ko, itong sa Smart Omega yung pinakamatalino.”
With only two match wins separating the fourth- and eighth-ranked teams, the Season 16 playoff race is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.
Amid this tight battle, Wuraaaah remains confident, believing Omega has the right tools, experience, and chemistry to turn their playoff aspirations into reality.
“Kung lalagyan ko ng number, syempre one hundred percent na magpe-playoffs ang team na ito. Di ko lang alam kung anong place, pero goal ko pa rin is at least number two. Titignan natin kung ano mangyayari, pero sure ako magpe-playoffs.”
