Team Lakay honored with ‘Champions Parade’ after title-laden year
From left: Team Lakay’s Joshua Pacio, Geje Eustaquio, Mark Sangiao, Kevin Belingon, Eduard Folayang, and Stephen Loman hoist their hardwares. Denison Rey A. Dalupang/INQUIRER
BAGUIO CITY — Members of the Team Lakay were hailed by the local government Sunday afternoon here following their impressive showing this year.
Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, Joshua Pacio, Stephen Loman, together with ringmaster Mark Sangiao marched around Baguio City to celebrate their unprecedented feat that saw them hoist an unprecedented five world titles.
NOW: @TeamLakay’s victory parade from SM Baguio to People’s Park. The Cordillera fight stable now has 4 champions in @ONEChampionship and one in Brave FC. Talk about domination. #MixedMartialArts | @INQUIRERSports @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/8IKR3NpnY4
— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrdINQ) December 2, 2018
“We’re grateful for each and everyone of you, for without you we won’t be where we are,” said Sangiao in a candid Ilocano speech.
“This is the effect or sports right here. We hope that the youth continue to dream the same way we did years ago,” he added.
Folayang, arguably the face of Philippine mixed martial arts, reclaimed the ONE lightweight throne last November. He joined bantamweight Kevin Belingon, strawweight Joshua Pacio, and flyweight Geje Eustaquio who all captured their division’s respective belts in the Asian promotion earlier this year.
Rounding out the champion cast was Loman, who successfully defended the Brave Combat Federation bantamweight strap for the second time.
Team Lakay now holds the most number of titles for any fight stable in ONE Championship.
The “Champions Parade” began with a motorcade at SM Baguio, traversed Session Road and Magsaysay Avenue. It ended at People’s Park, formerly known as Malcolm Square.
“We look to hold on to these belts for a bit longer,” Eustaquio said.
“We believed that Cordillerans could make it to the global stage,” Folayang chimed in. “These belts represent our never-ending journey of discipline, perseverance, and our pursuit for an even-higher standard.”
“We hope to serve as an inspiration, even if it’s just to an individual,” he closed.
