IT’S THEIR TURN NOW: The WPM LowKings’ path to greatness

The Call of Duty Mobile (CODM) Esports scene has become a rapidly growing industry over the past three years. With countless players and teams competing at the highest level, the fight for glory and prize money is unmatched. For many of these teams, the road to success is paved with countless hours of practice, dedication, and unwavering perseverance. To be the best, a team must possess these qualities. However, only a select few reach the top of the CODM Esports food chain.

Enter the West Point Mamba (WPM) LowKings.

From WPM LowKings’ PR team

The team has been grinding for two years and is now starting to see the results of their hard work. Through countless hours of practice and fierce determination, they have emerged as a force to be reckoned with.

WPM LowKings coach Mark Alexis “Olea” Olea shares the team’s motivation over the past year while nearing the success they have been striving for.

“The losses against Blacklist in GM1 and Smart Omega in GM3 became our motivation. During those two tournaments, I can say we lacked the experience needed to overcome adversity. That’s why I said to them (the team) we need to learn from it since we can gain a lot of lessons from that loss.”

The veteran coach of several tournaments continued. “[The loss] It became the way for us to be consistent and disciplined in practices and to push ourselves to be better every day. I always tell them that win or lose, let’s stay consistent and persistent. Don’t get discouraged and never, ever give up,” Olea said.

And fairly enough, WPM has shown they ought to be considered one of the best, if not the best team in Garena CODM currently after a stellar performance in the playoffs thus far.

In their quarterfinal match, the LowKings dominated Broke Boys Club (BBC) via a sweep in a sweet and straight fashion. The match was also the first time WPM’s newest acquisition Justin “Susanoo” Cecilio played against his former teammates. Susanoo has been a vital part of the LowKings’ success this season and Coach Olea acknowledged his impact on the team.

From Garena CODM

“He [Susanoo] was a huge help to us. It was a big move and he fits many possible roles with us. His ability to play the flexi role along with the experience from playing is very valuable. Furthermore, our Search and Destroy gameplay improved a lot because we can play a dual sniper setup with him on board,” Olea shared.

On top of that, WPM conquered one of their biggest tormentors in Singapore’s ALMGHTY in the upper bracket semifinals. The LowKings won a hard-fought series that lasted in four games which were punctuated by a thrilling Hardpoint in Summit win in game 4. They now advance to the upper bracket finals and are at the cusp of entering the grand finals for the first time in the team’s history.

From Garena CODM

“We’re so happy and that is one of our stepping stones because we really didn’t expect that win against them. They’re one of the heaviest and best teams in Garena and winning against them is definitely big for us. All our hard work especially being consistent in practices, mapping sessions, and cleaning up the errors all bore fruit,” Olea said.

Prior to the tournament, people were skeptical about whether or not they would be able to truly challenge at the top of Garena CODM. The big three of Smart Omega, Blacklist Ultimate, and ALMGHTY have been on the perch for a while now as the best three teams in the region. WPM has long been on the radar as the best team outside of the big three, even garnering the famous nickname ‘uncrowned kings’.

However, yesterday’s takedown against the best of the best provided a clear and concise message: It is the WPM LowKings’ turn now and they’re here to take it.

The importance of WPM’s organizational support and backing

Moreover, aside from the player’s effort and determination on the field, are the unseen work behind the scenes from the organization. This pertains to the owners and the sponsors of Mamba Esports and West Point Esports who provide the players tirelessly with the necessary equipment, perks, and utilities to put them in a position to succeed. WPM benefactors Gabriel Kaimo and Jason Go shared their level of commitment, dedication, and passion toward sponsoring/owning an esports team.

WPM LowKings’ co-owners Gabriel Kaimo (top row, first from right) and Jason Go (bottom row, first from left)

“Certainly, owning and managing an esports team is a considerable commitment that requires a long-term vision and unwavering dedication. One of the essential aspects of running an esports organization is having a clear and well-thought-out strategy. This means investing not only money but also time and effort into understanding the nuances of the industry and nurturing the talents of the players,” they said.

“While the games themselves may be enjoyable and entertaining, the behind-the-scenes work required to keep the organization functioning smoothly is often overlooked. When players see the fruits of their labor and achieve success, the entire organization reaps the rewards and shares in the pride of their accomplishments,” both continued on.

Moreover, the two imparted what it takes to provide and manage this type of endeavor from their perspective.

“We have gained valuable experience from managing various types of businesses. This has taught us the importance of applying structure and professionalism in running an esports organization. We meticulously plan everything from finances to logistics, and marketing to ensure the smooth functioning of the team,” both said.

“At the core of our efforts is a genuine love for the game and a passion for nurturing growth in others. We view our involvement in esports not just as a business venture, but as a way to contribute positively to society. By staying true to these principles, we’re able to approach our work with a deeper sense of purpose that goes beyond conventional business models,” the two bared.

Finally, Kaimo and Go offered their message to the team for the rest of the playoffs and their long-term outlook for them and CODM esports in general.

WPM LowKings from left to right: co-owner Gabriel Kaimo, coach Mark Alexis Olea, and co-owner Jason Go

“To our incredible team, as we head into the playoffs and beyond, we want to remind you to always do your best and enjoy the journey. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. We’ve come a long way since our humble beginnings, starting with forming the team, participating in minor tournaments, making our first professional appearance, and eventually becoming a regular presence in the esports ecosystem. I am grateful for your trust and perseverance through all the challenges we’ve faced together. Our journey has been filled with blood, sweat, and tears, but the memories we’ve created are truly priceless. I wish you all the best, always.”

“As for the future of esports, I am excited to see how the industry will continue to grow even further. We come from different industries and diverged into esports united by our passion for gaming. Our combined experiences have taught us important lessons that help us bring WPM to a new light. The goal is to build a strong, respectable, and professional esports team that our local community would be proud of to represent the Philippines on the world stage. That being said, we are still painting the picture. The story we want to portray remains to be told. We’re just getting started,” both said in an ending statement.

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In the words of famed Malaysian CODM caster Anthon Jermayne “The Mustachio” Singam, “If you really want it, you can go get it.” There’s no gatekeeping in any way in the world of esports that says only a certain number of teams can get to the top.

The WPM LowKings have wanted it, and are doing it. All those unseen hours in scrims and practices have seemingly paid off with the level of play the LowKings have shown as of late. They’ve been hustling and grinding their tails off each and every day with the goal of winning a championship.

The LowKings haven’t done it yet, but they are going and getting it with consistent hard work and perseverance.

It goes to show the level of commitment and determination these guys have to achieve their goals. Everyone from their players and coaching staff down to the managers, owners, and their community have all been willing to be a part of the journey.

There’s still a long way to go, and there’s a lot of work left to be done. But they are certainly up for the challenge and are taking it and cherishing every moment every single day.

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Catch the WPM LowKings remaining journey in the CODM Garena Masters 4 as they take a shot at winning it all live at Garena CODM’s official Facebook and YouTube next weekend.

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