The press conference room for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid Season Cup 2026 in Paris, France, felt like a live snapshot of what players carry inside. When the winning squad walked in, the atmosphere turned bright—laughter and relief filled the corners. But the mood shifted sharply the moment a team faced elimination, because sitting there meant not only dealing with defeat, but also preparing to explain why it happened.

On Friday (31/7/2026), Kompas met Sanz (24), an ONIC Esports player, in that same high-pressure setting. The “Yellow Porcupine” were knocked out in the semifinals after losing to Team Spirit. Sanz looked visibly down, and he didn’t pretend otherwise. Still, he chose to face the interview seriously, detailing the match and the factors behind the result—an attitude that, according to observations during the MLBB MSC, not every player showed. Some competitors answered questions only briefly once their team had been thoroughly beaten.

Ambition That Doesn’t Fade After a Loss

What stood out most was that Sanz didn’t let the disappointment swallow him. Instead, he managed his emotions and stayed focused on communication. He even encouraged the interview to continue, saying it was fine—while explaining in detail what contributed to ONIC’s elimination in that match.

This mindset, as it turns out, is not new. Sanz is widely seen as an ambitious midlaner who hates losing, and that determination is reflected in how he reacts when results don’t go his way. His teammate Kiboy described Sanz as someone whose drive to win is unmistakable. In Kiboy’s view, when Sanz loses, he can’t hide it—his facial expressions and gestures show he’s upset, and he immediately wants revenge in the next game.

“He is so ambitious to win. So when he loses, he cannot hide it. From his facial expressions and gestures, he looks very upset and always wants to take revenge in the next match,” said Kiboy.

Kiboy also framed it as a constant fuel loop: the desire to keep winning pushes Sanz to improve, and defeat becomes the trigger that makes his motivation sharper rather than weaker.

11 Seasons With ONIC and Seven MPL Indonesia Titles

Sanz’s mentality likely comes from experience. He is a veteran in the professional MLBB scene and has represented ONIC for 11 seasons since mid-2020. Within that long stretch, ONIC has achieved major domestic success alongside him—winning seven MPL Indonesia titles, which is described as the highest tier of MLBB competition in the country.

His background is also international in scope. Sanz has represented the MLBB national team at the 2022 SEA Games in Vietnam. That combination of long-term team commitment and national-level experience helps explain why he can stay composed and analytical even when the outcome is painful.

From Makassar’s Hard Times to “Top Global” Rankings

Before the spotlight, Sanz’s story began far from stadium-sized stages. He is the third child of six siblings, born in Makassar, South Sulawesi. His parents worked as village chicken traders in the market, and Sanz described childhood conditions as financially tight.

He recalled that it was difficult—“roughly speaking, we were poor at the time.” In that environment, he often spent time at an internet café, trying different games, especially PC games. When he found something he liked, he kept playing. Inevitably, that hobby brought conflict: he was scolded by his parents for playing games too often. Sanz explained that his parents didn’t understand that games could also generate income.

Even with occasional scolding, he kept going. Sanz became acquainted with MLBB in early 2019. Created by MOONTON Games, the game immediately captured him, and he played it every day until he became highly skilled.

Earning Through “Jockey” Work and Breaking Into Pro

As his proficiency grew, opportunities to earn began to appear. Sanz received offers to become a “jockey”—being paid to play on someone else’s account so that the account could level up or rank higher. He said the income from this work could cover his daily needs, adding that more jockey requests meant more money and that the fatigue feeling also faded.

With sustained training, Sanz entered the “top global” ranking list multiple times. This “top global” label refers to the ranking of the best players in the world, and for him it became a stepping stone toward professional competition.

Eventually, a message arrived in his Instagram inbox from Victim Esports, a professional MLBB team. They offered him a contract to become a player and compete in official tournaments. After discussing with his parents, Sanz joined the team and moved to Jakarta. With Victim Esports, he won the first Mobile Legends Development League (MDL)—the second-tier league in Indonesia.

Providing for Family and Inspiring Future Careers

Today, Sanz frames his achievements in terms of real-life support. Without specifying earnings details, he said he has purchased a house for his family in Makassar and that a car is also available. He stated, “I will provide for all the needs of my mother and family.”

At ONIC, his importance is recognized by teammates, including Kiboy, who called Sanz a hard worker and praised his consistency from the past until now. Meanwhile, ONIC Esports assistant coach Paddington emphasized that Sanz and Kiboy are veterans whose presence has helped the team win numerous matches. Paddington also pointed to the broader growth of Indonesia’s esports scene, noting that more international tournaments are taking place.

He further highlighted that career paths in esports are expanding beyond playing—there are options to become a coach, match analyst, and more. His message to those who want to pursue esports is direct: keep honing your skills, because the available opportunities are growing.