Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao believes that his team has already figured out its late-2020 struggles, and they’re ready to take on the world in the upcoming ONE on TNT series.
Three members of the fabled Team Lakay squad will compete in the series of events that takes place this April, all of which will air on U.S. prime-time television through TNT.
Sangiao believes the team has adjusted well, and that they’re highly motivated to continue their winning ways. He wants to show the world just how good these boys from the highlands are.
“We’re all inspired and motivated, especially with the start of the year that we have right now. I think this is a good sign. It’s a good sign that the team has prepared well to start the year,” he said.
“We didn’t really have good results last year, but the team right now has better preparation, and I can say that we are well adjusted to it already. The result shows that.”
Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang, who last secured a bounce-back KO win over Namiki Kawahara, opens the hat-trick of matches when he takes on Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks on April 15 (Manila time) at “ONE on TNT II.”
A week later, Stephen “The Sniper” Loman makes his much-awaited debut, as he battles John “Hands Of Stone” Lineker at “ONE on TNT III”. This, all before former ONE Lightweight World Champion Eduard “Landslide” Folayang rounds up the month against Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama at “ONE on TNT IV” on April 29.
It’s certainly a tough stretch for the team, which is preparing for three high-caliber opponents, but Sangiao isn’t sweating it.
“It’s really hectic over here. We have three big bouts for the next month and we’re really working hard for it,” Sangiao said.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about teamwork. That’s the only way we can pull it off. Every day they train twice a day — that’s the routine for us now.”
Despite the difficulty, Sangiao knows the rewards that they could reap if they end up sweeping all three matches this April. And it’s an opportunity Team Lakay has no plans of wasting.
“I’m excited for this since this will give us bigger exposure. Add to it the fact that we’re up against really good opponents,” Sangiao said.
“I’m excited for my athletes because they now have a chance to show their skills to the world.”
In the meantime, catch “ONE on TNT I” on ONE Sports or ONE Sports+ live at 8:30 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (PHT) on Thursday, April 8.
Both ONE Sports and ONE Sports+ will have an encore showing at 8:30 p.m. PHT on Friday, April 9. Also, there will be an encore showing on TV5 at 11 p.m. PHT on Saturday, April 10.
It will also simultaneously on the ONE Super App.
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