TIME and time again this author always has good words for one of the most respected mixed martial arts (MMA) team in the country today but one thing is consistent and proven is a value to describe Team Lakay is humility.
The team is respected not just because they win fights and or champion, but the humble beginnings of Team Lakay, just like any other teams started rough and tough until they are slowly polished to show their shine as rare jewels of MMA in the Philippines that are truly world class.
Their motto “Champions are not born they are made” speaks true to its essence as the team under the tutelage of Mark Sangiao and the senior members of Team Lakay give it their all and surrender to nothing but hard work to achieve their personal and team goal.
What is more admirable is their positive attitude in victory and more over in defeat, everything is greeted as a motivation.
Having the privilege to witness Team Lakay up close in action, witnessing the coach and their fighter’s rapport before, during and after a fight, is just an overwhelming experience, it makes you understand more why they have become successful and respected by everyone, from the promotion owner and staff, the fighters from other teams and the fans.
One encounter during the last event that the author was with Team Lakay was when they scored three out of three.
Winning in the ONE Championship’s recent event are Gina Iniong, Honorio Banario and Kevin Belingon.
The link of the coaches and the fighters was surprisingly both intense and relaxing like a well-designed strategy that is going well as planned.
What is amazing aside from each win that night was how the coaching staff of Team Lakay showed respect to each opponent, thanking them because they accepted the fight and the mutual respect they were given by the opponent who thanked them for the fight opportunity.
Relentless and fierce through the fight, Team Lakay fighters that night showed respectable sportsmanship checking on their opponent’s state and thanking them for the opportunity.
As lamented by Sangiao in his interview when Team Lakay was starting in MMA, many doubted them, many criticized them but they took it as a challenge and a motivation to get better and strengthen their weaknesses.
Now Team Lakay is on the top 5 list of the most successful MMA team in Asia.
Maybe many would associate Team Lakay’s success in their significant victories but for this author, what catapulted them to the top is their character, Team Lakay humble fighters, and humble champions!