Team Lakay, Vera going all out in support of Sangalang

Only two of the 16 global candidates remain — and in the finale of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition”, the world will find out who’ll win the US$250,000 job offer and become ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong’s apprentice and Chief Of Staff.

Louie Sangalang and Jessica Ramella face off for one last time in a show that did not lack drama from the first episode until now.

The pair survived all of the physical and business challenges due to their business expertise; pragmatic way of thinking; and ability to separate themselves from the task at hand.

It’s a close race between the two, something most evident when we asked ONE Championship’s stars to give their predictions of the finale.

The Venezuelan edged out the Filipino by just one vote, 7-6, further emphasizing the close call between the two.

Jessica got the nod from ONE Atomweight World Champion “Unstoppable” Angela Lee; former two-sport World Champion Stamp Fairtex; the legendary Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson; American star “Super” Sage Northcutt; Indian wrestling sensation Ritu “The Indian Tigress” Phogat; Evolve MMA star Amir Khan; and Wushu World Champion Priscilla Hertati “Thatie” Lumban Gaol.

Louie, on the other hand, got support from fellow Pinoys in reigning ONE Strawweight World Champion Joshua “The Passion” Pacio and former World Champs Eduard “Landslide” Folayang; Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon; and Brandon “The Truth” Vera.

Surprisingly, Vera’s previous foe in reigning ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan “Singh” Bhullar sided with Sangalang, as did Indonesian grappling specialist Eko Roni Saputra.

But whatever happens, Louie and Jessica already feel satisfied with how far they’ve come, considering they both deserve to win.

“She will always have the highest regard on my end because I’ve seen how she really fought for her place to be in the finals,” Louie said of Jessica.

“I think that’s the reason why even if she’s my greatest competitor in the finals, it doesn’t matter for me. She deserves to be there.”

Jessica echoed similar sentiments.

“I think that Louie and I are the perfect two finalists for this competition. May the best person win,” she said.

So who’s it going to be? Find out in the finale of “The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition” on One Sports this Monday at 9 p.m.