Sanford surprised with MPL S11 Finals MVP citation
Published May 9, 2023 03:06 pm
Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya continued to prove that he’s one of the league’s rising stars, claiming the Finals MVP award with a stellar performance in ECHO’s 4-0 sweep of Blacklist International in the Grand Finals to rule the MPL Philippines Season 11 on Sunday, May 7.
The 16-year-old EXP laner embraced the spotlight and outshone the rest of the team with his impressive backline dives, effective zoning and containing the Blacklist damage dealers. Still despite the stellar show, hearing his name called during the awarding came as a surprise to the young EXP laner. “Sobrang saya po to the point na di ko mapaniwalaan na ako yung MVP kasi halos lahat po kami yung performance po is sobrang ganda so di rin po ako nag expect,” said Sanford during the post-match press conference. Sanford epitomized ECHO’s aggression all throughout the contest, utilizing heroes that disrupted Blacklist lines during every crucial team fight. In the opening game, Sanford used his Gloo to finish with a 1-1-5 line before claiming the match MVP in the second game with a 5-3-3 KDA on the signature Lapu Lapu pick. He then utilized Joy to perfection in Game 3, putting together a clean 3-0-5 line before capping the impressive show with a 3-1-7 line on Yu Zhong. The world champion offlaner said his performance was also inspired by his father who fell ill during his stint in the M4 and is now on his way to full recovery. “Every game ko is pinapanood niya ako sa bahay para sa kanya rin po itong panalong ito. Siguro kaya rin po ako ganado maglaro para rin po sa kanya,” shared Sanford who helped ECHO win its first MPL title. Up next for him and the rest of ECHO is the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup where they will join MPL S11 runner-up Blacklist International in representing the Philippines.
*Sanford helps ECHO win its first MPL title, also bagging his first Finals MVP plum (MPL Photo)
*The 16-year-old EXP laner embraced the spotlight and outshone the rest of the team with his impressive backline dives, effective zoning and containing the Blacklist damage dealers. Still despite the stellar show, hearing his name called during the awarding came as a surprise to the young EXP laner. “Sobrang saya po to the point na di ko mapaniwalaan na ako yung MVP kasi halos lahat po kami yung performance po is sobrang ganda so di rin po ako nag expect,” said Sanford during the post-match press conference. Sanford epitomized ECHO’s aggression all throughout the contest, utilizing heroes that disrupted Blacklist lines during every crucial team fight. In the opening game, Sanford used his Gloo to finish with a 1-1-5 line before claiming the match MVP in the second game with a 5-3-3 KDA on the signature Lapu Lapu pick. He then utilized Joy to perfection in Game 3, putting together a clean 3-0-5 line before capping the impressive show with a 3-1-7 line on Yu Zhong. The world champion offlaner said his performance was also inspired by his father who fell ill during his stint in the M4 and is now on his way to full recovery. “Every game ko is pinapanood niya ako sa bahay para sa kanya rin po itong panalong ito. Siguro kaya rin po ako ganado maglaro para rin po sa kanya,” shared Sanford who helped ECHO win its first MPL title. Up next for him and the rest of ECHO is the MLBB Southeast Asia Cup where they will join MPL S11 runner-up Blacklist International in representing the Philippines.