Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao may have found diamonds in the rough with Jean Claude Saclag and Adonis Sevilleno marching on to another impressive victory in the recently concluded Team Lakay Championship’s Eric Go Yap Martial Arts Tournament March 30 at the BSU closed gym in La Trinidad, Benguet.
Sevilleno, the 2022 One Warrior Series Philippines winner, encountered a stiff competition against Dave Morata, but the Bantayan, Cebu native who now calls Benguet his second home prevailed with a first round technical knockout and improved his record to four wins and four losses, while Morata fell to 1-3.
In the co-main event, Saclag impressed fight fans with his improved all-around game, stopping Gemil Clariño, also in the first round via technical knockout.
With the win, Saclag now tots a 2-1 record while Gemil Clariño is now at 6-3.
The 19th Team Lakay Championships since its inception a few years ago has been honing skills of local mixed martial artists, producing several world titles in ONE Championships and Brave Combat Federation.
Sangiao said these events are just some of the few visions of Team Lakay in making the Cordillera as a martial arts hub.
“The goal 10 or 12 years ago and until today is to make Cordillera, particularly Baguio and Benguet as a martial arts hub,” said Sangiao during a press briefing.
Aside from making the region as a sports hub, Sangiao said the competition also aims to help municipalities in Benguet develop combative sports.
“Through this event, we can see we are almost near our goal. Kasi 12 years old pa lang nakikipag-compete na. Hopefully we can see more kids competing in the near future,” Sangiao said.
With the recent success of the Team Lakay Championships and Grappling Cup, Sangiao said martial arts fans can also look forward to four more Team Lakay events this year with the help of several supporters, including Benguet Rep. Eric Yap.
“We are thankful to all supporters of this kind of event, especially to Cong. Eric Go Yap. Without them, this would not be possible and hope they continue to support our events,” added Sangiao.
In the pro-am bouts, Estrada Donga-as defeated John Anthony Brutas via unanimous decision while Joris Jonker stopped Alex Bigander via a rear naked choke in the first round.
The three K-1 bouts saw Nahuel Gandolfi edging Jairus Aban via unanimous decision, Jian Francisco escaping Hyuma Zan Sibaen by split decision and Emildwin Aliong stifling Reuben Sawang also via unanimous decision.
Four amateur MMA bouts saw Charles Calawen defeating Leran Tap-ayao via technical knockout in the first round with Ralph Cervantes winning over Arvin Sabado via unanimous decision as Jed Sayud stopped John Clyde Masado in the second round via arm triangle while James Duag topped Shakespeare Bacacao via rear naked choke in the first round.
Sangiao, meanwhile, said events outside Baguio and Benguet are also planned in the National Capital Region and Cebu to promote martial arts. – Press release
