THE departure of Kiel “Oheb” Soriano from Team Liquid PH has taken a serious turn, as conflicting statements from both sides cast doubt on the timeline and circumstances of the departure – and the legalities surrounding it.
Team Liquid PH has insisted that Oheb remains with the team, albeit on inactive status. The multi-titled gold laner's camp, however, said that he's resigning from TLPH, before Oheb came up with a statement of his own, saying that he's stepping away from the scene temporarily to ‘take the time to reflect.’
Things simmered down until Oheb was welcomed by Honor of Kings a little less than two weeks later, with the Chinese MOBA franchise rolling out the red carpet for him with a promotional video no less.
READ: Oheb takes act to Honor of Kings, ending months of speculation
Though the video didn't exactly describe what Oheb was going to do with HoK and its community, it has sparked widespread debate within the MLBB community, and it didn't take long for the two camps to release separate contrasting statements.
Both Team Liquid PH and Oheb have come under scrutiny since then — the organization over player management and Oheb over concerns regarding professionalism and contractual obligations — prompting closer examination of how events unfolded based on both parties and the established timeline.
Team Liquid Breaks Silence
For the Cavalry, it maintained that it had fully intended to field Oheb for the MPL Philippines Season 17, emphasizing that there were no plans to replace him or move him abroad.
The organization described the gold laner as “an exceptional player” and said it would have been proud to keep him on the roster.
According to the team, the situation began on February 2, when Oheb first informed management that he wanted to step away from competitive play—a development the organization said came without prior discussion.
“There had been no earlier conversations about this. No warnings, no transition discussions,” Team Liquid wrote.
The organization added that it was prepared to assist in a structured departure, noting that retirement transitions typically span one season to protect the player, the team, and the league, then later on concluded that Oheb required time to think about his next move.
What followed, Team Liquid claims, was a breakdown in communication.
In the days following February 2, Team Liquid said it repeatedly reached out but did not receive a response from Oheb.
The situation escalated on February 6, when the team said it received a formal resignation request, leaving them with just five business days to secure a replacement before the season.
Team Liquid ultimately classified the move as a breach of contract and confirmed it is now pursuing legal action while declining to disclose further details.
Oheb’s Camp Disputes 'Communication Lapses'
In contrast, a statement released by Calleja Law on behalf of Oheb pushed back against several points raised by Team Liquid.
The legal team asserted that Oheb formally communicated his resignation on February 6, 2026, disputing any narrative that he “disappeared” or failed to respond to the team.
“The claim that he ‘disappeared’ or failed to communicate is inaccurate,” the statement read.
Calleja Law emphasized that from the time of resignation, Oheb has been represented by counsel and that proper communication channels have remained open—adding that public statements are not a substitute for direct engagement.
The camp also denied claims of disruption, pointing out that Team Liquid PH continued competing without delay and even found success, suggesting that any operational impact should be viewed in that context.
Team Liquid won its first two games in the MPL Philippines Season 17 as of writing time.
Beyond the immediate dispute, the statement framed the issue as part of a larger conversation about player rights and fair treatment in esports.
The timeline of events
To better understand the situation, here is a clear timeline based on both statements and public developments:
February 2 – Team Liquid claims Oheb first expressed his intention to resign.
February 6 – Oheb submits a formal resignation to Team Liquid.
February 24 - Team Liquid announces the move of Oheb to “inactive” status.
February 25 – Team Liquid PH unveils its official MPL Philippines Season 17 roster, replacing Oheb with Aeronnshikii in the gold lane.
February 25 – Calleja Law releases an official statement on Oheb’s behalf regarding the formal resignation.
March 9 – Oheb publicly announces a temporary break from the professional scene, thanking fans and stating he needs time to reflect.
March 21 – Oheb officially joins the Honor of Kings community.
Where the Contradiction Lies
While both sides agree that February 6 marks the formal resignation, their narratives diverge sharply on what happened before and after:
Team Liquid PH insists the decision came abruptly on February 2, followed by a lack of response and insufficient transition time.
Oheb’s legal team, however, counters that the resignation was properly communicated and handled through legal representation, rejecting claims of disappearance or neglect.
This gap in interpretation—particularly surrounding communication and contractual obligations—now sits at the center of the ongoing legal proceedings.
What Comes Next
With both parties confirming that the matter has entered legal channels, further details may only surface through formal proceedings.
For now, what started as a roster change has escalated into a broader issue, raising questions about contracts, player welfare, and esports professionalism.
As the situation continues to unfold, it could set a significant precedent—not only for Team Liquid PH and Oheb but also for how organizations and players navigate resignation and contract obligations in an increasingly structured and high-stakes esports industry.
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