With two ONE title defenses coming up, Team Lakay has its hands full

FILE – Team Lakay now has four current ONE world champions after Eduard Folayang regained the lightweight title following a unanimous decision win over Singapore’s Amir Khan in Manila. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Handling four current world champions takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice.

That what Team Lakay’s master tactician Mark Sangiao does it nowadays with ONE world champions Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Joshua Pacio and Geje Eustaquio in his corner.

The famed Baguio City stable will be put to the test right away this year with Pacio and Eustaquio defending their respective titles just six days apart.

“Training camp went well for Joshua Pacio. We were able to acquire what we wanted for him physically. We also came up with a game plan and his conditioning for his first title defense is excellent,” Sangiao said.

“Geje Eustaquio started training camp for Moraes as early as November. Geje’s confidence is already there, and his training has been superb so far.”

Pacio plunges into action first as he defends his strawweight strap against Japanese challenger Yosuke Saruta in ONE: Eternal Glory in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Eustaquio, meanwhile, is set for another flyweight title showdown in a third fight against former champion Adriano Moraes on January 25 in ONE: Hero’s Ascent at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila.

Sangiao will be with Pacio in Indonesia while he has already designated Folayang and Belingon to oversee Eustaquio’s training camp while he’s away.

“Eduard Folayang and Kevin Belingon will be in charge of Eustaquio’s training while I’m away for Joshua Pacio,” shared Sangiao.

“I asked Folayang to stay behind for Geje while I work Pacio’s corner in Jakarta.”

Sangiao is confident everything will be in their right places.

“We have a ready program and game plan,” Sangiao said. “The boys will know what to do while I’m away.”