Liquid ECHO's Sanford "SanFord" Vinuya. Handout/MPL Philippines

MANILA -- Liquid ECHO's Sanford "SanFord" Vinuya has received a two-year ban from participating in any of national team Sibol's activities, after he refused a 2023 offer to be part of the roster for the International Esports Federation (IESF) World Esports Championships. 

In a statement, SIbol said this was because the national team have "strongly advised" against participating in the qualifiers "if things go their way or if they have special conditions that hinder the opportunity of others to participate and serve the country. " 

"Because of that, yes, Sanford Vinuya is banned from participating in any Sibol activities," Sibol General Manager Jab Escutin said in a statement forwarded to the press.

The 17-year-old EXP Laner of Liquid ECHO was going to be the lone player outside of Falcons AP Bren who was picked in the national team's initial roster for IESF in Iasi, Romania at the time.

Sibol adds that: "Vinuya denied the privilege to serve his country solely based on the reason that his entire team was not selected to represent the country, saying that it would affect his team’s performance in the upcoming tournaments." 

SanFord's teammate, MPL veteran Karl "KarlTzy" Nepomuceno earlier said Sanford was slapped with a ban after he declined the national team's offer to be part of the IESF 2023 roster. Reports said the ban will last until February 2025. 

This, he said, resulted into Liquid ECHO pulling out from the training pool this year, although invited by Sibol to participate. 

This year, the national team's pool for IESF will consist players of RRQ Kaito, Falcons AP Bren, Smart Omega, and RV Fryd Esports. Jian Munsayac, RRQ Kaito's head coach, will be the national team's head tactician for IESF, which will also be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Liquid ECHO are currently training for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup, which will also be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.