By: Justin Valencia
Established in 2003, Team Lakay has grown into the best training camp in Philippine Mixed Martial Arts.
A testament to its greatness are the three fighters who made it to the UFC — Dave Galera, Mark Eddiva and Roldan Sangcha-an.
Speaking during the July 12 episode of Tiebreaker Vods’ The Hit List, presented by SMART, the three exceptional fighters were all praises for Team Lakay and the feats it has accomplished throughout the years.
“Masayang masaya kami kasi nakikita namin ‘yung mga bata noon, world champion na ngayon. Tapos si Coach Mark (Sangiao), natutupad na ‘yung mga pangarap niya sa mga atleta niya, kaya very happy,” said Eddiva, who had a 1-3 win-loss card in his UFC career.
Currently, Team Lakay has two titleholders, with Joshua Pacio as the ONE Championship’s strawweight champion. On the other hand, Stephen Loman is the Brave Combat Federation’s bantamweight champion.
“I am really proud of those guys… Magandang feeling because you helped them out in some way kasi kaming mga old school, we are kinda like public figures for them. We have to show them that we’re good people, we fight good so gagayahin nila,” said the “Scarecrow” Galera.
For Sangcha-an, Team Lakay’s rise to the top is no coincidence, as it was all because of their hard work and perseverance.
“Noon, tinatahi namin ‘yung mga punching bag, boxing gloves, but yeah, dito mo talaga makikita ‘yung improvement. You’ve come from nothing then the blessings now are here,” said Sangcha-an.
“Doon ko nakita ‘yung perseverance ni coach eh — ‘yung iniiyakan niya noon, it’s a big smile now in his face.”
Given Sangiao’s camp’s phenomenal ascendance to becoming one of the best in the country, podcast hosts Nissi Icasiano and CA Starridge asked the three who would make their all-time best Team Lakay.
Between their lists, two names were unanimous: Eduard “Landslide” Folayang and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon.
Folayang, who has a 22-9 professional record, does not have any shortage of achievements and titles earned throughout his career.
The 35-year-old orthodox fighter was a one-time URCC welterweight champion; Martial Combat Superfight lightweight champion; two-time ONE lightweight champion; and three-time Southeast Asian Games wushu gold medalist.
Meanwhile, Belingon, who sports a 20-7 win-loss card, was a former ONE Championship bantamweight champion and URCC flyweight champion.
Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio, Danny “The King” Kingad, and Pacio rounded out “The Executioner” Sangcha-an’s top five.
For Galera’s all-time team, Rey “The Punisher” Docyogen, Honorio “The Rock” Banario and Eddiva made the list.
Lito “Thunder Kid” Adiwang joined Kingad and Docyogen in Eddiva’s Team Lakay all-time greats.
