ONE: Team Lakay determined to make 2019 another banner 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

MANILA, Philippines—Team Lakay made 2018 its best year to date after four of its fighters captured World titles in ONE Championship.

Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, and Joshua Pacio all took their respective divisions by storm and in the middle of that maddening orchestra is the peaceful conductor Mark Sangiao.

A former professional fighter himself, Sangiao led the Baguio-based team to unprecedented heights in the promotion and he’s looking forward to an equally successful 2019.

“It’s our biggest year, we won titles and received many awards this year,” said Sangiao. “This is the result of our hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. These awards and titles are just the fruits of our labor.”

“This is definitely the best year for us, but of course, we will not stop. We have to keep on improving and defend those belts.”

Eustaquio (11-6) was the first of the four fighters to rake in gold when he became the ONE interim flyweight champion after a unanimous decision win over Kazakhstan’s Kairat Akhmetov in January.

“Gravity” then became the ONE World flyweight champion when he scored a split decision win over rival Adriano Moraes in June to unify the belts.

Belingon (20-5) followed up Eustaquio’s success when he became the ONE interim bantamweight champion after a unanimous decision win over Martin Nguyen and then he became the ONE World bantamweight champion when he escaped with a split decision victory against Bibiano Fernandes in November for his seventh straight triumph.

Pacio (13-2) had a different path to his title belt since he wasn’t an interim champion when he dethroned Yoshitaka Naito for the ONE World strawweight championship in September.

And a fitting ending to Team Lakay’s 2018, Folayang (21-6) regained his ONE World lightweight strap when he dominated Singapore’s Amir Khan on Nov. 23 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Folayang, arguably the Philippines’ best and most famous mixed martial artist, put on a striking master class that showed the massive disparity between him and Khan.

“Coach Mark should have a belt,” said Folayang. “We’re a good team because we have a brilliant and selfless coach who supports us all the way.”

“When I see these belts, I know that my sacrifice was worth it. I feel that I’m also a champion,” said Sangiao of his coaching career and fighting retirement. “I decided to retire eight years ago. I’m a positive guy, so I don’t regret my decision to retire. I’m very happy about it.”