Louie Sangalang is starting to make his move as “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” hits the final stretch of the show – and for better or worse, his presence is being felt by his fellow candidates.
Expected to make a splash in the full-contact grappling challenge last week, the purple belt surprised everyone by letting his teammate, Eugene Chung, take his spot in the competition against the bigger Niraj Puran Rao.
That decision raised eyebrows from his fellow candidates, with some questioning whether Sangalang had ulterior motives.
“I appreciated the courage that Eugene stepped up, but when I tried to reflect on the logic, option number one is we really wanted to give Eugene a chance – or there’s another option that is a strategic move, and I know that Louie’s a smart and strategic competitor,” fellow candidate Irina Chadsey said.
That move paid off for Team Valor; Eugene beat Niraj, but Sangalang continued to push Eugene, suggesting that he become the Project Manager for the business challenge.
At first, it made sense, especially with the momentum Eugene had. But he wasn’t as efficient in the business task and dropped the challenge, resulting in his eventual dismissal from the show.
The backlash from Eugene taking the lead and losing the challenge fell on Sangalang’s shoulders, as people thought it was more of a personal strategy for the Filipino.
“I think it’s a strategic move by Louie. I think Louie just wanted to put Eugene in a position where he’s either gonna make it or break it, and I truly believe that Louie thinks Eugene is going to break it,” Monica Millington said.
Sangalang defended his actions by saying that he truly wanted Eugene to redeem himself after the Korean-American’s rough start to the competition.
But whatever his fellow candidates think about his moves, it doesn’t really matter. At the end of the day, it’s all about proving one’s worth and winning the US$250,000 job offer to work as ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong’s Chief Of Staff in Singapore.
That’s exactly what Sangalang aims to prove when the eighth episode of “The Apprentice” airs this Monday on One Sports.
“The key to winning is in yourself. I want to prove to Chatri that I deserve to be the one,” Sangalang said.
Catch the next episode of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” this Monday, May 10, at 9 p.m. on One Sports.
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What’s At Stake For The 8 Remaining ‘Apprentice’ Candidates
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