The global esports spotlight now shines even brighter as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) athletes open up about their personal battles in Amazon Prime Video’s new docuseries, Level Up, launching on 6 June 2025. This compelling series dives into the real-life experiences of pro players Sanford, Chell, and Cinny—revealing the grit behind the glory of championship titles.
Unlike the glamorous lens through which fans typically see them, the docuseries gives voice to the human side of esports. These stars face challenges far beyond the Land of Dawn, offering raw and emotional accounts of pain, perseverance, and passion.
From Tragedy to Triumph: Sanford’s Story
Sanford “Sanford” Vinuya, prodigy and champion with Team Liquid Philippines, opens up about becoming his family’s breadwinner after his father suffered a debilitating stroke. Months before stepping into the MLBB Mid Season Cup (MSC) at EWC 24, Sanford carried not just team expectations—but a personal battle—on his shoulders.
“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 “Sanford” Vinuya
Sanford recently led Team Liquid Philippines to a victory at MPL Philippines Season 15 and is now set to represent his country at MSC at EWC 25 in Riyadh.
Sisters in Grief: Chell and Cinny’s Battle Beyond the Game
Sisters Michelle “Chell” Siswanto and Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto from Team Vitality faced heartbreak right before competing in the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI). The pair received devastating news of their grandfather’s passing upon arrival in Riyadh, but chose to compete through their grief. To them, sharing stories in the docuseries means representation. It is a win that allows them to share their journey with aspiring young female pro players.
“With this docuseries, we would love to see our fans stay passionate about their love for the game and esports. If you truly love this path, I hope you pursue it wholeheartedly and do it for yourself and the people you love”
Cindy “Cinny” Siswanto
“We feel honored and truly grateful to be included in the docuseries. It’s a meaningful opportunity to represent women in gaming who share the same struggles.”
Michelle “Chell” Siswanto
Representation, Resilience, and Global Reach
Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, emphasized the importance of this series:
“Having MLBB pro players, highlighting mobile esports participants featured in an international docuseries, is a reflection of MLBB’s expansive global presence. More Importantly. This docuseries provides our talents like Sanford, Chell, and Cinny, a platform to share their inspiring stories of grit and determination with the global audience.”
“We are proud of Chell and Cinny for their rightful inclusion in the docuseries… We hope that their stories continue to inspire young girls who look up to them to take up space in esports.”
MOONTON’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity is evident. During the first Esports World Cup, MLBB was the only title to host both an open professional tournament and a women’s-only competition. This year’s MWI at EWC 25 features 16 teams, while MSC sees further expansion with Wild Card slots for Japan and Vietnam.
Watch the Docuseries
Catch Level Up exclusively on Amazon Prime Video starting:
| Series Premiere | June 6 |
| Sanford’s Story | June 13 |
| Chell and Cinny’s Story | June 20 |
Watch the trailer on Facebook: Level Up Trailer
Follow MLBB Esports
Stay updated on tournament action and behind-the-scenes moments by following the official social media pages:
| Global | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube |
| MPL Philippines | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube |
| MPL Indonesia | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube |
About Mobile Legends: Bang Bang
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is a leading mobile MOBA game, known for its team-based strategy gameplay. With over 1.5 billion downloads and 110 million monthly active users, it ranks among the top 10 most-played games in more than 80 countries. Available in 139 nations, MLBB fosters a vibrant global esports scene.
About Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Esports
Founded in 2017, MLBB Esports offers a competitive platform for aspiring athletes worldwide. Through regional leagues such as MPL in Southeast Asia, MENA, and Latin America, MLBB has become the first esports title to surpass 1 billion hours of watch time globally.
About MOONTON Games
Established in 2014, MOONTON Games is a global video game publisher and developer. Headquartered in multiple regions, MOONTON employs over 1,600 staff and supports strong partnerships across more than 30 countries. Its flagship title, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, is the world’s leading mobile MOBA game.
Visit their official website to learn more.
