MANILA (Aug. 14, 2019) – Being part of the Philippine national team comes with a huge responsibility of representing the country and doing well in international competitions like the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).
Because of this, the pressure also mounts on the national athletes as they strive to give glory to the Philippines and hopefully win the coveted gold medal.
The national esports team, known as Sibol, is not exempted from it.
However, Jeremiah Camarillo, a member of the pool that serves as the basis on who will play for Sibol, said that he is already feeling the responsibility of performing at his best to give more than 100 million Filipinos something to cheer about early into the SEAG buildup.
“Medyo nakaka-pressure kasi pagpipilian pa kayo sa pool,” Camarillo said. “Kailangan mas maging consistent kami.” (There is pressure because you will be chosen from a pool. We just need to be more consistent).
Known by his in-game name “1717”, Camarillo is one of the hopefuls to crack the final seven-man team for the Arena of Valor game in the inaugural SEA Games esports event set from Dec. 5-10, 2019 at the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
Camarillo got a direct invite to the pool alongside Kevin “Gambit” Dizon, Jervan “Bents” Delos Santos, Lawrence “Rubixx” Gatmaitan, and Miguel “Miggie” Banaag, his fellow members at his mother club,Liyab Esports, an esports organization powered by Globe Telecom and Mineski.
For Camarillo, the only way ease some pressure is for the entire Liyab quintet to make the “Final 7”.
“Ang gusto namin, as much as possible, kami ang mapili as a team,” he added. “Mahirap yung may bago kayo na ipapasok.” (As much as possible we want to play as a whole team. Things would be challenging if someone else gets selected).
Camarillo also said that Liyab cracking the final lineup as a whole would be very advantageous.
“Parang established na kasi yung chemistry namin, so kung magpapasok na naman tayo ng ibang bago, baka magulo na naman yung chemistry,” he continued. (We have already established our team chemistry. If someone new comes in, it might affect that chemistry).
However, Liyab is also prepared for the possibility that only one of them may make the final roster.
“If ever isa lang yung makapasok sa aming lima, tatanggapin namin ang desisyon,” Dizon said. (We are, however, ready to accept the possibility that only one of us might eventually get into the [national} team).
In spite of the scenario, the Liyab members expressed their willingness to be teammates with the other AOV players who will be chosen to the national team.
“Papraktisin namin [sa bootcamp] yung mga kasama namin para mabuo yung chemistry,” Dizon further added. (We just need to practice with them at bootcamp to develop team chemistry).