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Sanford Vinuya, famously known as “Sanford,” the MVP of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup (MSC at EWC 2025), has been in the spotlight recently. His fame is well deserved because of his extraordinary skills and leadership on the battlefield, which helped his team achieve success at EWC. His consistent performance earned him the coveted Finals MVP award, but who exactly is Sanford Vinuya? And how did he burst into the esports scene, and is absolutely dominating? Let’s find out.
Who Is Sanford Vinuya?
Sanford Vinuya’s journey to the top was not easy. He was born on June 24, 2006, in the Philippines, and he started playing Mobile Legends professionally at a very young age. He first gained global attention after winning the M4 World Championship in 2022 with the team Echo PH, when he was just 16 years old. This victory made him famous as one of the top EXP laners.
A Challenging Past Year
Despite his young age, Sanford Vinuya faced significant personal challenges. During the lead-up to the EWC 2024, his father suffered a massive stroke, and he also dealt with the loss of close family members. Yet, he managed to stay focused and professional, representing Team Liquid Philippines with heart and determination. His story was even featured in a documentary series titled “Esports World Cup: Level Up” available on Amazon Prime Video, showing how his family supported him and how he overcame hardships to pursue his dream.
Sanford Vinuya’s Career Highlights
Sanford Vinuya’s career highlights include multiple top finishes in major tournaments. Besides the M4 World Championship win, he led his team to second place at the MPL Philippines Season 10 and helped secure strong placements in the MPL Philippines seasons 11, 12, and 13. His outstanding gameplay, especially on heroes like Lapu Lapu, made him feared and respected by opponents. His ability to remain calm under pressure and make smart decisions on the EXP lane paved the way for his success. Here are all his achievements to date.
| Date | Tournament | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-06-27 | SIBOL National Team Selection for SEA Games 2025 – Men | – |
| 2025-06-01 | MPL Philippines Season 15 | $46,560 |
| 2025-04-23 | SIBOL 2025 National Team Selection for 17th IESF – Men | – |
| 2025-01-12 | Snapdragon Pro Series Season 6 APAC – Challenge Season | – |
| 2024-10-16 | MPL Philippines Season 14 | $10,460 |
| 2024-08-10 | 1xBet Supernova | $25,000 |
| 2024-08-04 | Snapdragon Pro Series Season 5 APAC – Challenge Finals | $30,000 |
| 2024-07-12 | MLBB Mid Season Cup 2024 | $200,000 |
| 2024-06-23 | Snapdragon Pro Series Season 5 APAC – Challenge Season | $750 |
| 2024-05-26 | MPL Philippines Season 13 | $44,590 |
| 2023-11-19 | ONE Esports MPL Invitational 2023 | $19,000 |
| 2023-11-04 | GG Gaming Festival All Stars- 2023 (Showmatch) | – |
| 2023-10-28 | MPL Philippines Season 12 | $20,020 |
| 2023-07-29 | World Cyber Games 2023 | $4,000 |
| 2023-07-22 | Snapdragon Pro Series Season 3 SEA – Challenge Finals | $10,000 |
| 2023-06-17 | MLBB Southeast Asia Cup 2023 | $30,000 |
| 2023-05-07 | MPL Philippines Season 11 | $45,060 |
| 2023-01-22 | SIBOL 2023 National Team Selection for Sea Games 2023 | – |
| 2023-01-15 | M4 World Championship | $300,000 |
| 2022-11-03 | ONE Esports MPL Invitational 2022 | $1,000 |
| 2022-10-23 | MPL Philippines Season 10 | $29,460 |
| 2022-07-10 | SIBOL 2022 National Team Selection for 14th IESF | – |
| 2021-11-02 | ONE Esports MPL Invitational 2021 | $1,000 |
| 2021-10-23 | MPL Philippines Season 8 | $11,900 |
Awards
| Date | Tournament | Award | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-02 | MLBB Mid Season Cup 2025 | MVP | $10,000 |
| 2025-08-01 | MLBB Mid Season Cup 2025 | Playoffs Day 3 Star | – |
| 2025-06-01 | MPL Philippines Season 15 | All-Star Team 1 | $500 |
| 2025-04-08 | MPL Philippines Season 15 | Team of The Week #6 | – |
| 2025-03-11 | MPL Philippines Season 15 | Team of The Week #2 | – |
| 2024-10-20 | MPL Philippines Season 14 | All-Star Team 2 | – |
| 2024-10-01 | MPL Philippines Season 14 | Team of The Week #7 | – |
| 2024-09-08 | MPL Philippines Season 14 | Team of The Week #4 | – |
| 2024-09-01 | MPL Philippines Season 14 | Team of The Week #3 | – |
| 2024-05-26 | MPL Philippines Season 13 | Finals MVP | $1,000 |
| 2023-05-07 | MPL Philippines Season 11 | Team of The Season | $500 |
| 2023-05-07 | MPL Philippines Season 11 | Finals MVP | $1,000 |
| 2023-01-15 | M4 World Championship | Knockout Stage Day 6 Star | – |
| 2023-01-15 | M4 World Championship | Knockout Stage Day 8 Star | – |
How Much Has He Earned Yet?
When it comes to earnings, Sanford Vinuya has accumulated over $219,812 in prize money in just 2025, with his biggest prize being $10,000 from winning the M4 World Championship. He has consistently earned cash rewards from top finishes in both local and international competitions, making him one of the highest-earning young esports athletes in the Mobile Legends community.
Also read: MSC At EWC 2025: Team Liquid PH Takes The Win
