Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao poses with ONE Lightweight Champion Eduard Folayang after his unanimous decision victory over Ev Ting at ONE: Kings of Destiny. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Already known as one of the top mixed martial arts stables in the region, Team Lakay further affirmed its dominance with a 5-0 sweep at ONE: Kings of Destiny Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Eduard Folayang headlined the list as he successfully retained his ONE Lightweight Championship against Ev Ting via unanimous decision in the main event.
Kevin Belingon and Honorio Banario both scored knockout victories, while Danny Kingad and Gina Iniong impressed in their unanimous decision victories in what could be the best showing yet for Benguet stable in the promotion.
READ: Team Lakay banks on confidence with 5 fighters in ONE Manila Card
Coach Mark Sangiao believes that the team’s success is rooted from their fighters’ desire for greatness.
“Our athletes did their assignments, so that’s why they had that great performances,” he said.
Sangiao said Team Lakay never stopped training even after the last Manila fightcard back in December. That relentless approach was evident as the fighters displayed razor-sharp focus and were undoubtedly the aggressors in their matches.
READ: Banario would rather wait than face ‘brother’ Folayang
“I didn’t stop and continued training jiu jitsu here in Manila,” said Banario, who knocked out Jaroslav Jartim with a thunderous left hook early in the second round. “Hard work pays off.”
Kingad, who displayed his might over Muhammad Aiman through three rounds, added, “I really prepared hard for the match and studied my opponent well.”
And much to their glee, Team Lakay was able to deliver a great show in front of their home crowd.
READ: Folayang successfully defends ONE Lightweight title
“We’re motivated going to this card and we’re happy that we won and had a great showing,” said Belingon, who pounded Toni Tauru to earn the first round technical knockout win.
Iniong, who made her successful ONE debut against Natalie Gonzales Hills, shared, “We’re happy with the results that we got.”
But for ONE Championship CEO Victor Cui, Team Lakay’s success is no surprise given the talent level of the Igorot fighters.
READ: Iniong wins debut in ONE undercard
“If you looked at my interviews some five years ago, I said that the Philippines has some of the most talented MMA fighters in Asia. Team Lakay is one of the teams that is leading the way. I always believe that if you give them a global platform to shine and challenge them to the highest levels of competition, they would shine. Some would falter, some would shine but that is what competition is all about,” he said. “I think if you see Eduard Folayang, he was unrelentless with his pursuit of his dream. Through difficult times, he was able to win the title and defend it. It’s a great accomplishment for him.”