Team Lakay’s Crisanto Pitpitunge (8-3) had one thing in mind last Saturday during PXC 48, to win at all costs.
Pitpitunge, prior to the weigh-ins, had the chance to accomplish a rare feat, to become a two-division MMA champion. However, the recently stripped PXC Flyweight Champion, Alvin Cacdac, did not make weight. But for the former PXC Bantamweight Champion, “it’s frustrating but it’s okay kasi but yung habol ko dito is the win.”
When asked about what happened, the Cordillera-native told us that his weight cut felt great, “may ample time naman para makuha natin yung timbang. Sa weigh-in time, yung timbangan namin is not accurate compared sa timbangan ng PXC. Kaya konting overweight ako [125.5 lbs]. They gave us one hour para makuha [yung 125].” However, “sinabi ni Cacdac na ayaw na niya. The belt will be stripped out. It’s useless to get the weight na wala rin lang belt.”
But the goal for the Team Lakay fighter was just to win, “ang sarap ng pakiramdam kasi lahat ng pagod, lahat ng hirap. Sabi nga nila ‘hard work, pays best.’” Moreover, he added that he does not think about the odds prior to the fight. “I didn’t feel na lamang ako or dehado ako. I just feel na ang pakiramdam ko sa training, sa lahat-lahat para sa laban na ito, kasi sa laban talaga malalaman. Kahit na sabihin ko na lamado ako pero sa fight pala hindi. I just push my body and work hard.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5OLmIiWejo
Pitpitunge made short work of Alvin Cacdac in a quick knockout win with 1:08 remaining. During his post-fight interview, he said that the game plan was to counter his game plan. “Kasi when they give you the shot to fight, we watch the moves of the opponent para mapaghandaan. When I fight Rambaa Somdet, I should take him down. Pagdating naman kay Cacdac, nakita ko wrestler siya so iba ulit ang training ko.” The police/fighter then jokingly said that “if next opponent is a Karate fighter, maybe we go for Judo.”
When asked on what’s next for the young fighter, “sa ngayon, ‘di ko pa masasagot kasi PXC ang bahala diyan. But hopefully, bibigyan tayo ng laban natin diyan.”
“Wala ang sabi ko naman is to fight, fight, fight! Whoever the opponent is,” he closed out with vindication. On this night, even without the Flyweight crown, Crisanto Pitpitunge deserved to be one capped by a great performance.
