Team Lakay holding up with ‘busy’ March
WITH March 2019 one of the busiest stretches in the group’s history, Team Lakay members said it is presenting a challenge but they are nonetheless holding up.
Set to see action in ONE Championship and Brave Combat Federation this month, the Baguio-based fighters are finding ways to have the best preparation possible to produce favorable results come fight day.
Team Lakay stalwarts and ONE champions Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon will be part of the promotion’s landmark event in Japan on March 31.
ONE world lightweight champion Folayang will stake his title in the main event for “ONE: New Era” in Tokyo against mixed martial arts legend and hometown bet Shinya Aoki while bantamweight champ Belingon reengages with former champion Bibiano Fernandes of Brazil.
Joining Messrs. Folayang and Belingon is Danny “The King” Kingad who will take on American Andrew Leone in a flyweight world grand prix quarterfinal match.
Over at Brave, bantamweight champion Stephen “The Sniper” Loman will finally defend his title on home turf against Elias Boudegzdame of France in the headlining fight for “Brave CF 22” at the Mall of Asia Arena on March 15.
Fighting along Mr. Loman at the event are teammates Jonathan Cortor, Jomar Pa-ac, Harold Banario and Jeremy Pacatiw against separate opponents.
While they have their hands full in preparation, Team Lakay said it is managing things the way it knows how to — as a team — and with the individual fighters themselves working from their end.
“Yes, there are a lot of Team Lakay athletes in line to see action this month and this year. What I can say though is that the athletes are doing their best, doing their assignments,” said Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao when asked by BusinessWorld on how they are coping up with the rigors of a busy month for them.
Adding, “That extends even if they do not have fights. So it is not much of a problem because they are ready to compete every time. They are hardworking and smart athletes.”
Mr. Belingon, too, said it not has been much of a problem for them, even saying that it is turning out to be beneficial.
“Actually training has been fun for us because many members of our team are fighting this month. Everybody is working hard and we help each other in training,” said Mr. Belingon.
“The gym is very busy. We have been sparring in training. I spar with Stephen and kuya Eduard. We take turns. We work on our wrestling and grappling,” he added. —