Now a four-time MPL Philippines winner, Kiel “Oheb” Soriano proves his golden standard in Philippine MLBB.
They say a champion never forgets his first win.
But for Team Liquid PH’s Kiel “Oheb” Soriano, his fourth MPL Philippines title was as sweet as ever after proving his mettle as the new gold laner for TLPH, helping them beat ONIC Philippines in a highly competitive finals series on Sunday.
Though previously winning three titles before joining Team Liquid, Oheb played with a chip on his shoulder as he led the cavalry in their seven-game conquest of ONIC at Green Sun Makati.
Having only joined his new team earlier this year, there was a lot left to prove for Oheb, especially as he replaced a formidable gold laner as well in M4 Finals MVP Benedict “Bennyqt” Gonzales heading into Season 15.
Carrying his team heavily, the MPL PH Season 15 MVP spoke about his mindset heading into the title-clinching Game Seven, where his masterful use of Granger helped manufacture TLPH’s big win that unseated ONIC from the MPL PH throne.
[READ: Team Liquid exact sweet revenge on ONIC Philippines to win MPL PH Season 15 crown]
“Ako po, kanina nasa isip ko nung Game 7 namin, sinasabi ko lang sa utak ko na parang gusto kong mag-champion dito kasama 'yung mga teammates ko ngayon,” Oheb said.
“Kasi grabe rin 'yung sa character development ko, siguro dahil na rin sa kanila. Kasi nung pagpasok ako, may mga onti pa, tapos sobrang tinutulungan nila ako para mag-improve ako sa lahat ng ways, sa outside and inside game.”
Before this current title, Oheb had won all his other MPL PH trophies with the now-defunct powerhouse Blacklist International.
Now at 20-years-old, Oheb believes that it was the right move for him as his team continued on building him up while still improving his game.
“[Natutulungan ako ng team] sa inside game muna… mas gusto ko pa na sinasabi 'yung pagkakamali ko kesa sa hindi sa sinasabi ng team. So lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, sabihin lang nila kung saan ako nagkakamali, kung ano 'yung ginagawa kong hindi tama. Tapos dun, lagi naman nila sinasabi kung saan ako nagkulang,” he said.
But it wasn’t just about MLBB that made TLPH so valuable for Oheb.
That is, he was also going through changes outside of the game, where his teammates also helped him. He gave a special shoutout in particular to exp laner Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya for keeping him grounded no matter what the situation.
“Sa outside [the game] naman, masasabi ko lang si Ford din, lagi kasi akong pinapakalma niyan ni Ford kapag medyo umiinit 'yung ulo sa scrim. Kaya thank you rin kay Ford kasi lagi akong sinasabihan niyan kasi ako rin ayaw ko naman maging gano'n talaga, minsan 'di ko lang mapigilan 'yung emosyon ko kaya thank you sa team ko,” he said.
Oheb’s heroics, along with the steady presence of Finals MVP Alston “Sanji” Pabico keyed TLPH’s Season 15 conquest which gives them a confidence boost ahead of the Esports World Cup later this year where they will join ONIC as the Philippines’ bet in the tournament.
There, the two bets hope to regain the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) crown for the Philippines after failing to do so in 2024.