SANFORD “Sanford” Vinuya grew up right before our eyes, standing witness to every triumph and defeat in his MLBB career over the past few years—but beyond the glory, a deeper story unfolds.
Hailing from the humble town of Candaba in Pampanga, Sanford was blessed with a family that stood by his dreams to be an MLBB professional player.
Hard work pays off. Sanford had already built his legacy at a young age after winning the M4 World Championship crown and now three MPL titles.
But nothing could have prepared Sanford for the curveballs life would throw at him along the way.
Sanford's father suffered a stroke
“Ang dami niya rin pinagdaanan throughout the seasons. Yung struggles na pinagdaanan ni Sanford sobrang hirap, parang feeling ko hindi ko nga kaya yun eh. Knowing na kailangan mo lumipad (to Indonesia), and then kailangan mo lumaro, and then the pressure na you have to represent the country, sobrang hirap."
"Those struggles, yun yung nagpatibay kay Sanford,” Team Liquid PH Country Manager Mitch Liwanag said in an interview with MPL Press Corps.
Everything has changed ever since, and Sanford stepped up to become his family’s breadwinner.
“Knowing na hindi na makakapagtrabaho yung daddy ko, nasa utak ko na lang is manalo! Ang gusto ko talaga is mapaganda yung buhay ng pamilya ko." (Since my dad can no longer work, my main focus right now is winning. I just really want to improve my family’s life.), Sanford expressed.
Sanford’s father once held a stable job as a manager at an online selling company, giving their family a life of comfort—until a stroke changed the course of their lives forever.
Becoming a breadwinner
“It was difficult because he (Chev Vinuya) was the one who worked and provided for us. After he had a stroke, he lost his ability to earn. Sanford became the breadwinner. All the responsibilities that should have fallen on their father shifted to him (Sanford) because of the stroke,” Sanford’s mother, Juliet Vinuya, shared.
A father’s greatest joy comes from providing his family a good life, but seeing a loved one carry the responsibilities he once bore is a pain that cuts deep.
“He earns even more than I did. But of course I feel a bit embarrassed. It’s really difficult. Before I was the one providing. It’s your turn now,” Chev Vinuya said while fighting back tears.
Whatever life throws at him, Sanford stands resilient—held up by faith and anchored in love for his family.
“It’s nothing. It’s God’s will. Part of his plans for us,” Sanford said as he comforted his father.
Honoring his family
Sanford undoubtedly poured his heart and soul into the 2024 Mid-Season Cup (MSC), aiming to win it all to honor his family and his father once again—but fate dealt him a cruel hand.
Tracing back last year’s MSC history, Team Liquid ECHO (now Team Liquid PH) fell to compatriots Falcons AP.Bren, 3-1, in the battle for an MSC grand finals berth.
Though he fell short of claiming the championship, Sanford took pride in the greatest victory—supporting his family and helping his loved ones fulfill their dreams.
“Even though we didn’t win at EWC, we still earned a significant prize of around USD 200,000,” Sanford reflected.
“I bought a lot of land, and I’m planning, like, to build a new house for my family. I never thought at this age I would have the ability to fulfill my parents’ dreams,” he added.
It took years of grind to get where Sanford stands right now, but he did it all for his family.
“Winning is good, but my family is everything,” Sanford said.
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