As the old saying goes, when a door closes, another one opens.
And that's exactly what happened to the former Adroit Esports Dota 2 players and now Smart Omega standouts.
Last month, the SEA Games gold-winning Adroit released its Dota 2 squad and ceased all its operations due to the ravaging effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was one of the darkest times for captain-soft support Marvin "Boomy" Rushton and hard support Bryle "CML" Alvizo, who were part of the national esports team Sibol that won it all in the 30th SEA Games last year.
"Nung una syempre malungkot kami talaga kasi parang family na 'yung turingan namin doon eh tapos 'yung boss ng Adroit matagal ko nang kilala so sobrang kaibigan ko talaga. Sa part ko, sobrang lungkot pero life goes on," said Boomy during the recent Beyond the Meta vodcast.
"Syempre mahirap talaga. Nung nalaman namin na mag-shutdown sila, nag-stay pa rin kami. Parang pinush namin hanggang sa limits talaga, kung hanggang saan namin kaya mag-stay doon pero 'yun nga parang no choice na we have to let go of Team Adroit," CML chimed in.
"Thankful naman kami sa lahat especially sa management na full support sa amin talaga. More than just a management, parang family na namin sila so thankful naman kami pero malungkot din dahil sa nangyari," he added.
Fortunately for Boomy, CML and their three teammates, they quickly found a new home in Omega which picked them up on December 4 following the release of its own roster last November 25.
"Thankful na rin kami sa nangyari kasi nakakita rin kami ng bagong home sa Smart (Omega)," said Boomy.
Hard carry Justin Ryan "Tino" Grimaldo found himself going back to the Omega organization while it's also a new home for midlaner and Sibol member Mc Nicholson "Mac" Villanueva and offlaner Nikko "Nikko" Bilocura.
Additionally, the Cebuano pros are now under the watch of The International veteran Carlo "Kuku" Palad, who was hired as coach last November 7.
CML said that the closure of Adroit is a big eye opener for Dota 2 players who are looking to get into the pro scene, pointing out that results are not the only basis of a team's longevity.
"Hopefully 'yung ibang teams hindi lang naka-focus sa kung paano manalo kundi paano mag-stabilize kasi more than just the results, marami pang important factors para mag-stay ang isang team for a long time."
That's why CML is grateful to the "structured" Omega for choosing them as their new Dota 2 bets.
"Maraming activities compared sa Adroit. Minsan nagkaroon kami ng fitness at iba pang activities outside gaming para hindi kami masyadong ma-burnout. May fitness coach and life coach kami. 'Yung schedule talaga namin is very important so we have to follow para maging disiplinado talaga kami."
Will the SEA Games gold medalists reach new heights again under the Smart Omega banner? Only time can tell.