IT WAS AROUND 12 to 1 AM when the players of Omega Empress went outside the bootcamp, laid down on the ground and started looking at the stars above them.
Staring blankly in space, there were a lot of things that the team reflected before entering the SILAB Road to the MWI grand finals.
For midlaner Rica "Amoree" Amores, she started looking back at the humble beginnings of her team.
"Na-realize ko po na dapat sa lahat ng bagay, ikalma mo yung sarili mo. Nag-flashback din yung mga moment na hindi pa kami naglalaro tapos parang nag-matter din yun para ma-boost yung confidence namin kasi parang need namin mapanalo ito despite sa mga nangyari sa mga previous lives namin," she revealed in the post-match press conference.
There were other things that was stuck in her mind, like her mother who flew all the way to Manila to watch her live. But she wasn't the only one with a lot to fight for.
All thanks to Gwyneth "not ayanami" Diagon, the team started to pick up the idea of spending their midnights outside.
"Mahilig po talaga ako sa mga ganon. Madalas, mga once a week, lumalabas ako sa court kapag madaling araw tapos titingala lang, hihinga lang."
"Malaking percent para sa sarili ko kasi ako kasi yung gumagawa ng sarili kong standard so gusto kong patunayan sa sarili ko na kaya namin as a team and as an individual na lumaro sa malaking stage."
Suddenly, two shooting stars appeared and the team made their wishes, which was revealed by the team's head coach Salman "KingSalman" Macarambon.
Carving the way for female esports athletes
Those stars could be an omen on the dreams and aspirations that the team is currently fighting for, especially with the team carrying a lot of weight on their shoulders.
Of course, they will carry the banner of the Philippines in the upcoming MWI 2024 tournament which will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but there's more to that as highlighted by some of their backstories.
For Mery "Meraaay" Vivero, this could serve as an inspiration to female esports players who wish to take the leap of faith to become a pro player,
During the MWI broadcast, host Claudine "Odin" Tayco interviewed Meraaay's mother Cecil Lamanilao, who traveled all the way from Cebu to Manila. Her stay in the Shooting Gallery Studios is her first time to watch her daughter play.
When Meraaay first started, Lamanilao wasn't supportive of her daughter's dreams.
"Meraaay huwag ka nang mag-ML kasi yung ML parang wala lang. Hindi ko talaga gusto ang ML, kasi nag-aaral siya before," Lamanilao told Odin.
In fact before she went to bed, Lamanilao would do everything to prevent Meraaay to pursue her journey in the Land of Dawn.
"Before akong matulog, i-check ko yung room, isa sa kanila. Tapos si Meraaay nag-e-ML, so in-off ko yung WiFi, hindi ko alam na mag data pala siya. Tapos parang ramdam ko na hindi pa tulog si Meraaay so chineck ko ulit tapos sabi niya, 'Mama hayaan mo na lang ako.' Hinayaan ko na lang, pero hindi ko pa rin gusto."
However things changed when Meraaay represented the Philippines for the Southeast Asian Games and brought home the silver medal back in 2023. Lamanilao should've flown all the way to Cambodia to watch her daughter but an emergency prevented her.
"Pagdating ng SEA Games, doon ko na-appreciate," she looked back.
And with her watching her daughter, Meraaay suddenly felt the urge to make her family proud.
"Grabe ka-supportive yung both parents ko. Yung papa and mama ko. Yung mama ko lumipad talaga sa Manila para lang manood. Kasama rin yung mga kapatid ko kaya ginalingan kong maglaro para worth it yung pagpunta nila dito."
"Yung family ko po yung inspiration ko tsaka motivation ko na maglaro kaya important din po sa akin na nandito sina mama," said Meraaay.
Supporting the family
But Meraaay wasn't the only one who thought about her family, as her teammates are hoping that their lives will get better.
The MWI 2024 will feature a USD500,000 (Php29 million) prize pool with the winner bringing home half the amount (Php14 million).
Members from the Omega Empress mentioned during the press conference that they will dedicate their prize earnings to their family.
For Sheen "Shinoa" Perez, she plans to establish a flower shop with her family.
"Mag-aral muna sa business tapos balak kong gumawa ng business with my family. Gusto ko lang ng flower shop," said the Empress' gold laner.
But she wasn't the only one who has plans to support her family.
"Sa akin ise-save ko tapos tulungan ko yung nanay ko sa business. Yung business kasi niya ngayon, is yung sa babuyan, sa farm. Nagsimula na akong mag-invest so itutuloy ko na lang," as stated by jungler Kaye "Keishi" Alpuerto.
Based on what they've mentioned, the Empress have ruled the Philippine women's MLBB scene through compassion.
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