AMID the hate messages on social media, Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao remains positive.
After earning only one win and three defeats against one win in One Championship’s Century event in Tokyo, Japan last weekend, Sangiao said the team is looking at the losses as lessons for the squad to improve further their game.
“The storm has passed. Time for us to move one,” said Sangiao with a grin as he oversees the preparation of ONE Championship strawweight world champion Joshua Pacio who will defend his title against Rene Catalan next month at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Joining Pacio in the November fight card are former world champions Eduard Folayang and Geje Eustaquio who will take on separate foes as they seek redemption after getting ditched in their last outing.
Even with the backlash from fight fans, Sangiao added they will not be affected by the negative comments and feedbacks they receive in social media.
“Sanay na kami sa negative. Pag maingay ka sa social media, mas marami ang naghahanap ng negative,” he added.
Recently, ONE Championship chief executive officer (CEO) Chatri Sityodtong came to the defense of Team Lakay after suffering strings of losses due to their “inadequate wrestling and ground game.”
In a lengthy Facebook post, Sityodtong acknowledged Team Lakay as one of the best fight teams in the world.
“On any given day, Team Lakay can crush any team in the world. I speak the truth as someone who has done martial arts for over 35 years as a student, a competitor, a teacher, a coach, and now a CEO,” Chatri said.
Sityodtong added whenever he thinks about what Mark Sangiao and his extraordinary team of superstar athletes has done from the mountains of Baguio, it blows away his mind.
“Despite having no resources, no money, and limited access to world-class knowledge, they managed to build Asia’s best fight team from nothing. If you want to know about the true Igorot warrior spirit, you can find it in every member of Team Lakay,” added the ONE CEO.
Sangiao meanwhile said Team Lakay will continue to improve their game as they prepare for another tough contest this November.
The Team Lakay top honcho said Folayang will be facing MGL-1 FC Lightweight Champion Amarsanaa Tsogookhuu of Mongolia as co-main event in the November 8 fight card while Eustaquio seeks revenge against CWFC bantamweight world champion Toni Tauru of Finland in a highly-anticipated rematch.