For Lola: Sanford’s Fight This Season
By Jan Marcus Montevirgen and Mario Alvaro Limos
TEAM LIQUID CANCELLED THEIR SCRIMS on the night before they faced Team Falcons, their greatest rivals in MPL Philippines. Sanford left the boot camp in tears, fearful for his grandmother’s health.
His Lola was hospitalized and he had to travel to his hometown in Pampanga.
Sanford opened up to ALL-STAR about his fears.
“Mayroon siyang iniinda sa paa niya, parang na-infect siya. Sobrang daming complications. Iyong worry ko [sa kanya] is kino-convert ko na lang talaga sa game,” said Sanford.
It’s not the first time Sanford used tragedy as his motivation to perform well. Just before the M4 World Championship, he revealed his father suffered a stroke, and used that as his motivation to win. And they did.
“I want the world to know that no matter how competitive tournaments are, we are still people who face real-life challenges. It’s not just about winning—we need to give importance to the things that matter most, like family.” -Sanford Vinuya, EWC Documentary
It’s not a coping mechanism he recommends but it’s just the one that’s happened to him in his earlier days of his career as a professional player.
“Nagawa ko na rin naman siya many times,” he continued.
‘Bakit Tuwing MPL Pa?’
After questioning what happened to his lola, he pauses. And then with a breath of resignation, he utters, “Bakit tuwing MPL pa?”
That question to himself, he lets it hang there.
“Pero prayers up. Sana nakita niya yung laro ko and tulong iyon para gumaling siya and magpalakas pa nang lalo,” he continued.
‘Here We Go Again’
When the news reached him, there wasn’t much reaction to give. He just said: ‘Here we go again. Akala ko kasi okay na.’”
“Sabi ko [sa sarili ko] na ‘I have to be stronger this time because I’ve been through so much.’ Sabi ko rin na ‘Kaya ko ito ma-convert sa laro and hindi maapektuhan ang game.”
Sanford has played through a loss before. His Tito and Lolo passed away during Season 10, and his father had a stroke before their M4 World Championship campaign. Those times were moments he describes as “harsh moments.”
But, he remained professional, he showed up on his team’s events amidst those happenings, he shaped himself where there’s no room to fall apart, only to move forward.
“Like before noong Season 10, my tito passed away and yung lolo ko na super close ko. After that Season 10 run, before going to M4, iyong dad ko na-stroke. It was super harsh ‘non sa akin and sobrang hirap. But, at that time, I was still young but I managed to overcome all of that. Ngayon, mas kailangan ko na lang isipin na “Hindi ako pwede magpabaya,” he continued.
‘Ako Na Ang Bahala.’
Sanford tried to not be too emotional when he immediately saw his lola. Even though his visit to her was brief—three hours of travel for just one hour with his lola—but enough to make him feel relieved.
He tried to stay composed, observing what’s happening more than reacting. He now feels much better seeing what’s happening with his lola in his own eyes, a contrast to before when his family would shield him from situations like this while he was still young.
“Syempre naging strong lang ako and I tried to be not so emotional. Inobserve ko lang and nagbigay ako ng konting oras sa kanya, mga one hour kahit na three hours iyong byahe, one hour is fine. Naging panatag lang din ako na ako mismo yung nakakita,” he said.
Now the roles have shifted. His family tells him everything and Sanford responds with no hesitation, willing to carry everything.
“Kasi before, iyong family ko is ayaw nila ipakita sa akin since I was very young. Syempre ini-isip din nila na baka maapektuhan ako. Pero now, sila yung unang nagsasabi sa akin. Sinabi ko rin sa kanila na huwag silang mahiya sa gastos, kahit magkano pa iyan, ako na ang bahala,” he continued.
‘Hindi Pa Kami Tapos Dito.’
Coming into MPL PH Season 17, his motivation is clear. This season is for his family, especially for his lola, and also for his team.
This season was tough for them and Sanford wanted to prove that they’re not done yet.
“For now, pinaka-motivation ko talaga is for my family, especially my lola. Pero ang pinaka-pinaglalaban ko talaga this season is to prove ourselves na hindi pa kami tapos dito,” Sanford said.
“Lalo na sa mga bago kong kakampi, sina Teddy rookie, sobrang gigil niya manalo. And also, for my coaches na sobrang deserve nilang mabigyan ng spotlight kasi, I know it’s too early to say this, parang sila iyong pinaka-best coaches ko ever,” he continued.
“While I know na this is too early, pero the way they move, the way they communicate, the way kung paano sila maging synch sa isa’t-isa, kung paano sila iikot, kung paano sila mag-disiplina ng mga players, ang laking bagay ng mga iyon sa amin. Even si Karl, napapasunod nila. Talagang hands down sa mga coaches. [For this season] Sa mga coaches talaga and to Teddy,” Sanford concluded.
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