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| Kiel "Oheb" Soriano and Team Liquid Philippines turned their contractual dispute into a legal matter. Moonton (file photo) |
MANILA--While MPL Philippines is taking the entire Holy Week off and the PKL already wrapped up its spring season, the drama continues between new PKL ambassador Kiel "Oheb" Soriano and his former team, Team Liquid Philippines.
The tension between both camps hit another heated moment when Soriano was revealed to have indeed jumped to the Honor of Kings realm.
For a recall, the apparent beef between Soriano and Liquid PH began when the club initially placed the gold laner on the "inactive" list ahead of MPL PH Season 17 before acquiring Sultan "AeronnShikii" Muhammad on loan from sister team Team Liquid Indonesia.
However, Soriano, through his legal counsel Taikee Calleja, claimed that he had already left the team since Feb. 6.
"Any suggestion that he disappeared or failed to communicate is inaccurate. Upon resignation, he deliberately chose to remain quiet out of professionalism and respect for the team, his former teammates, and the league, and to allow internal processes to proceed without public distraction," Calleja said in a Feb. 25 statement that Soriano shared on his Facebook page.
Liquid PH, in a statement on Thursday night, confirmed that it received a formal request from Soriano to leave the team, but it put them in a rush to find a new gold laner.
"On February 6, we received our last direct communication from him, a formal request to resign. Assuming there was no collaborative way forward, this gave us five business days (seven calendar days) to find a replacement. No team is prepared for that," Liquid PH said.
The team added that it initially intended to bring back Soriano for Season 17, but on Feb. 2, the 21-year-old gunner told them his plans to retire from the professional Mobile Legends Bang Bang circuit.
Liquid PH said the team management told Soriano how the retirement process goes, saying that it needs a full domestic season for transition.
The club then claimed that it did not receive any response from Soriano in the three days between his initial retirement plans and his eventual decision to leave the team, denying Calleja's statement that there was no failure to communicate.
"What we can say is that this constitutes a breach of contract, and we are pursuing legal action," Liquid PH further said.
In response, Calleja said on Friday that Liquid PH's "public statements are not a substitute for direct engagement."
"Mr. Soriano chose restraint. He did not go public. He did not engage in accusations. That was a deliberate decision out of respect. We will not allow that restraint to be mischaracterized," he added.
Calleja further said that the legal matter is not just about Soriano, but also for all the professional esports athletes in their call for "fair and balanced arrangements."
Calleja then said that the legal dispute between Soriano and Liquid PH "is now within legal channels."
"Calleja Law remains ready to engage with counsel for Team Liquid Philippines toward a proper and constructive resolution," Calleja's recent statement concluded.
Soriano was in attendance during the PKL grand finals at the Gateway Mall 2 Quantum Skyview in Quezon City on Sunday night.
He participated in a special showmatch where he reunited with former Blacklist International MLBB teammates Danerie "Wise" Del Rosario, Johnmar "OhMyVeenus" Villaluna, and Renejay Bacarse.
The celebrity game served as the prelude to the championship battle between Boom Esports and Team Flash Philippines.
Dugout Philippines tried to reach out to Soriano, but it was advised not to discuss anything about the legal matter for now.
Amid all the distractions, Liquid PH is on top of the MPL PH standings at 4-0, a positive sign that also sends a signal to the entire league community why it is the defending national champion.
