Omega CODM overcomes years of heartbreak to finally make it to Worlds 2022, calls for help in securing US visas

Two years ago, Jerrold “Woopiiee” Regay was part of the NRX Jeremiah 29:11 squad that made history after booking a slot to the Call of Duty: Mobile World Championship 2020 only to miss the global event due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A year later, Woopiiee, playing under Smart Omega, came up short of a trip to the 2021 staging of the world championship after falling early in the CODM World Championship 2021 - Garena Finals.

Omega finally got over the hump this year but not before averting a massive collapse in their five-game thriller over Blacklist Ultimate in the lower bracket finals of the CODM World Championship 2022 - Garena Finals.

After going up 2-0 in the series, Omega succumbed to two straight losses and trailed 5-1 in the rubber match before unleashing a comeback run courtesy of Woopiiee's resolute leadership.

"While watching the game nung nakita ko yung score na 1-5, di ko na matignan yung phone ni Woopiiee eh. Kinakabahan na ako. Si Jericho (Coach J) umiyak na," recalls Coach Bruce "Dev1ce" Cruz.

It was at this time that team captain Woopiiee pulled his team together to make a run for the world championship.

"Lahat sila (teammates ko) tahimik na non. Ako na lang po yung parang nagsasalita. Ang naaalala ko sinabi ko kanila 'Kung kaya ng Blacklist na maka-apat na straight na panalo, kaya din namin,'" said Woopiiee on their situation during Game 5 against Blacklist.

Omega then took the six out of the next seven rounds to eke out a heart stopping 7-6 clincher and march on to the grandfinals.

Team seeking assistance for US visa processing

The obstacles toward the World Championship isn't over for Omega though as they are now scrambling to fast-track the process of acquiring visas for the players for the world championship in North Carolina, USA this December.

“As early as now, we’re trying to contact our partners and have everything prepared, especially for a visa that we know it’s very hard right now because of the pandemic still in our country," said Omega's chief operating officer Louie Patrick Cruz during the press conference.

"It’s not just a matter of letters and stuff. But if a government entity will help us, definitely it’s a big boost for us."

Last year, Bren Esports missed the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT): Stage 3 Masters in Berlin, Germany due to visa issues.

Three Filipino members of Fnatic's Southeast Asian DOTA 2 team also missed the PGL Arlington Major in the USA this year due to the same visa struggle.

—JMB, GMA News