By Kevin Estrada
For Mark Sangiao, Team Lakay’s confidence is skyrocketing ahead of Saturday’s twin bill for ONE Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena.
After Tuesday’s press conference, the fabled trainer said their minds are at their sharpest form in gearing up for both events, which was their first homestand since Fire and Fury in January 2020.
And like two years ago, Reigning ONE World Strawweight champion Joshua Pacio put his belt on the line for the biggest fight of his storied career against American star Jarred Brooks in the most-anticipated bouts to close out the year.
Apart from the said match-up, ONE Championship legend Eduard Folayang takes on Brazil’s Edson Marques in the lead card of ONE on Prime Video 5.
“Matagal na rin tayong hindi ganoong ka-busy,” Sangiao remarked, citing their activity in the past two years which were hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
With fights held behind closed doors and subjected to the strict health and safety measures in Singapore, Team Lakay makes the most of it despite only sending at most two fighters at times, and saw their flight plans being put on hold with the virus infecting their camp.
“Nakakapag-isip tayo kung paano tayo nakakapag-train kahit na mahirap pumunta sa gym,” he then said.
With that in mind, Sangiao expressed confidence that their wards will be in their best fighting shape than ever before.
“Kung nagawa natin yun ng may pandemic, mas lalo pa kaya ngayong open na.”
He then cited the rise of Jenelyn Olsim, which was one of Team Lakay’s success stories during the pandemic.
Coming off a split decision win over Julie Mezabarba five months ago, the Graceful will lead off ONE 164 with a strawweight battle against Chinese veteran Meng Bo.
Sangiao has all praises for Olsim, who was touted as a much improved Gina Iniong, with the mentorship by Conviction put to good use.
“Nasabi ko sa kanya na madali siyang matuto. She’s open and willing mag-aral.”
Regardless of the result on Saturday, the future is bright for the former Atomweight Grand Prix semifinalist.
“Pagiigihan pa niya kasi nakikita ko sa kanya yung mga materyales ng isang magiging contender din at maging champion.”
Follow the writer on Twitter: @kevinlestrada
