A believer in second chances, Sanford “PHI.Vinuya” Marin Vinuya has the chance to prove his doubters wrong in his SEA Games 2025 stint.
BANGKOK — There are few athletes more determined in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand than SIBOL's Sanford “PHI.Vinuya” Marin Vinuya as he tries to help the Philippines defend their gold medal in men’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
One of just three titles where the Philippines is competing in esports, SIBOL is eyeing continued success in what is arguably the biggest esports title in the country.
But for Vinuya, there is much more at stake than just the Philippines’ bid for another gold medal in MLBB. For him, it’s a story of personal redemption, which happens a year removed after facing a ban from the national team.
In 2024, the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO) slapped what was supposed to be a two-year ban on Vinuya because of his initial refusal to join national team duties since his teammates from Team Liquid PH were not going to participate with him.
PESO did not take Vinuya’s actions kindly and imposed the sanction.
Now, he gets a second chance and he hopes to show that the PESO wasn’t amiss in allowing him to compete with SIBOL just months after winning it all anew in MPL PH Season 16.
“Well, I think, parang gusto kong patunayan sa sarili ko na, na hindi sila nagkamali na binigyan ulit ako ng chance, kasi before, tinurndown ko yung offer niya eh. So, feel ko ito yung redemption arc ko para sa national team, and gusto ko lang ipakita gano'n kalakas yung Pilipinas.” Vinuya told One Sports.
Though it was his personal decision to forego his last national team stint, the EXP laner said that there was some regret on his end.
But with a renewed lease on life and a chance for glory, Vinuya is willing to leave it all out in the arena.
“Feel ko mas gigil ako ngayon compared before, kasi ayun, nanghihinayang talaga dun sa last na offer na binigay sa akin eh. So, ngayon parang, ano, ibubuhos ko na lahat ng gigil ko dito para, ayun, bawi yung gold medal.” he said.
Glory or bust
At the end of the day, Vinuya isn’t just out for personal glory, but to bring honor to the country in the same way that he has in previous competitions — including the M4 World Championship where he and his then-team Echo won the world championship in early 2023.
“[Pinaka-excited ako] yung iuwi yung gold medal.” he said of what he looks forward to in his first Sibol foray.
The Philippines will face challenges early when they kick off the group stage competition where they face Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, and Indonesia in Group B of the MLBB competition beginning Saturday, December 13.
All esports events will be held at Sala Phra Kieo at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.