Team Lakay: Manila’s Martial Arts Powerhouse
When you think of the Philippines’ best fighters, Team Lakay pops to mind. They’ve churned out big names like ONE Flyweight champ Geje Eustaquio, former lightweight king Eduard Folayang, and rising stars Kevin Belingon, Danny Kingad, and Joshua Pacio.
Reality Check: The Stakes
- Friday, July 27 – ONE: Reign of Kings in Manila hosts a triple‑header of title‑hungry athletes.
- Kevin Belingon faces two‑weight world champion Martin “The Situ‑Asian” Nguyen for the ONE Interim Bantamweight Crown.
- Eduard Folayang keeps his crown chase alive, and Joshua Pacio squares off with Thai phenom Pongsiri Mitsatit.
Coach Mark Sangiao’s Game Plan
Coach Sangiao says his fighters are all set. “Belingon used to lose to Bibiano Fernandes, but that’s history now,” he chuckles. “The guy’s grind has paid off – double the work, double the polish. He’s ready for a rematch with Bibiano and wants a win in front of the Filipino crowd.”
He recalls prepping two Team Lakay fighters for Nguyen in past ONE events and respects the Vietnamese‑Australian’s dual‑title resume. “Respect for Martin is huge. He’s a legend with two belts in different weights, but we’re going to play our game at his weight.”
Why Kevin Stands Out
- Weight‑class familiarity – Kevin’s a seasoned bantamweight, Nguyen has only one fight at this tier.
- Speed and relentless pressure that leaves opponents gasping. “It’s not enough to watch him on TV; you gotta feel that ferocity in the cage.”
- Strong execution — calm under pressure, “no room for error” when Nguyen lands that thunderous right.
Coach Sangiao is 100% confident: “If Kevin’s belt goes to home, we’ll elevate Team Lakay’s legacy. Champions aren’t born; we build them.” He even dropped the Spider‑Man line: “With great power comes great responsibility.”
Eduard Folayang – The Veteran Machine
Folayang’s camp? “He’s a work‑horse, always polishing every aspect. He’s been here, done this, and can’t be rattled.” Loving his Sparring partner, Honorio Banario, has added an extra wedge of reliability for the fight.
Joshua Pacio vs. Pongsiri – The Hunk Showdown
Coach laid it out with a smile: “It’s practically a male‑model face‑off, champion material. These guys look top‑class both in skill and on camera. The crowd’s gonna go wild.” He emphasized how both fighters are evenly matched and the winner could bag a title shot.
Three Guns, One Evening
With three top‑tier fighters on one card, the weekend’s headline is clear: how many Lakay warriors come out on top?
Lakay’s tradition of training hard and loving the battles has earned them victories against global powerhouses: United States, Russia, China, Australia, Brazil. They’re not just sitting on belts; they’re using them to ignite further greatness.
When the bell rings on July 27, watch out for the roar of Filipino pride and the legacy of Team Lakay hitting new heights.
