Alvarez, Bumina-ang groomed next MMA stars

SPORTS 

With their impressive performances during their recent outing, Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao believes Carlos Alvarez and Carlo Von Bumina-ang’s time has finally arrived.
    For the past years, Alvarez and Bumina-ang have been under the limelight while honing their mixed martial arts skills.
    But the departure of some of Team Lakay’s former world champions, both fighters are now in the position to carry the torch for the Benguet based squad and pave their own path too.
    “Based on their performance sa kanilang mga huling laban, talagang maispag din sila sa training. Technically wise, halos kumpleto na sila pagdating sa skills. Siguro kailangan pa nila ng mas maraming exposure to gain experience,” said Sangiao.
    Bumina-ang recently showcased to the world what he is capable off after dispatching Reza Saedi less than a minute in his debut at ONE Friday Fights 27 at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The multi-medalled SEA Games athlete returned to mixed martial arts and needed only 52 seconds to finish off the Iranian wrestler with his lethal striking.
    A booming left straight rocked Saedi, and Bumina-ang wasted no time by following it up with a barrage of straights, uppercuts and knees, forcing referee Herb Dean to stop the fight.        
    “Sa training pa lang, lalo na sparring, alam na dito sa gym na talagang malakas sumuntok si Carlo,” added Sangiao.
Alvarez meanwhile had two impressive victories since turning pro this year after scoring a second-round technical knockout over Reza Abasi in his debut last April 21 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok.    
    The Filipino worked to get a submission after throwing knees to the head but was unsuccessful but in round two, he got the full mount that allowed him to unleash vicious ground and pound that drew a cut on the side of Abasi's left eye.
    In his second outing Alvarez also scored an impressive second-round submission win over Sadegh Ghasemi in July also at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
    In just the 1:23 of the second frame, Alvarez set Ghasemi up for a D’Arce choke.
    “We are expecting na may laban ulit later this year si Alvarez and hopefully pati si Carlo (Bumina-ang),” added Sangiao.

Team Lakay joins Konsyerto sa Palasyo

Owing to their contribution in the field of sports, particularly in mixed martial arts, members of Team Lakay joined other Filipino athletes during the second installment of the Konsyerto sa Palasyo (KSP) in Malacañang.
    Coach Mark Sangiao, his son Jhanlo, Carlo Von Bumina-ang, fresh from their ONE Championship stint in Thailand, with some of Team Lakay fighters together with more than 300 athletes were part of the audience on Sunday, in recognition of their efforts to bring pride and honor to the country.  
    The KSP is a concert series that seeks to showcase the talents of emerging performing artists while recognizing the contributions of different sectors.  
    Sangiao and Team Lakay was the only non-national team contingent who was personally invited by USec. Franz Imperial and ASec. Karen Alvarez from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) who was given tribute during the program initiated by the Office of the President, PCO and RTVM.    
    KSP, which started last April, aims to support the pandemic-hit creative industries. The first installment of the concert series was dubbed “Awit ng Magiting” and was dedicated to soldiers.
    Since shifting his focus on coaching in 2009, Sangiao has produced seven world champions in MMA including multi – medalists martial arts fighters in the amateurs.
    Among the honored guests were world boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, gymnastics sensation Carlos Yulo, former national fencer Richard Gomez and the groundbreaking women’s national football team or Filipinas, which made history in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
    Sangiao, during an interview, said shifting to full time coaching has been one of the hardest decisions he had to make during that time, as he was still an active fighter.      
    But his decision to become a full time coach is his biggest achievement, building Team Lakay from the ground and turning it into becoming one of the best MMA gyms in Asia.
    "Consistency, being hands on to fighters, kelangan nandyan ka palagi sa gym. Kaya tayo naka pag produce ng world champion dahil ganyan ang mindset natin," said Sangiao during the KSP program.
    And with the new faces of Team Lakay now making a name for themselves, Sangiao said he is still on the lookout for future world champions.

SPORTS 

Coach Mark Sangiao

No retirement yet for Saclag
in amateurs as pro fight looms

Jean Claude Saclag might have won all the accolades he could in the amateur ranks but his time with the Philippine team is not yet over.
    The 28 – year – old Lubuagan, Kalinga and Kapangan, Benguet native however is also looking forward to compete in another level and hopefully join his fellow Team Lakay fighters in the professional ranks as a mixed martial artist.    
“    Hopefully later this year,” said the youngest among the thirteen children of Lubuagan former vice mayor Patricio Saclag and Judith Kitong.

Bagging a gold during the 2023 PAN ASIAN International Open (No Gi), Saclag said he is keen on fighting in the professional ranks and hopefully create a mark just like his achievement with the Philippine team.

His first foray in to the national team earned him a bronze during the 2013 Wushu World Championship – in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Saclag’s greatest achievement in Sanda came in 2014 when he won the gold during the Sanda World Cup in Jakarta then followed it up with a silver in the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea.

He then shifted to kickboxing and had another fruitful stint, bagging gold medals during the 2019, 2021, and 2023 edition of the Southeast Asian Games including a gold during the 2022 Asian Kickboxing Championship.          

More than his experience as a martial artist, Saclag said his speed and aggressiveness will play a big factor once he sees action as a professional fighter.

Saclag continued with the competition in the amateur at the backburner, he is currently training all facets of MMA in the hopes that he would be signed in the professional ranks.  

“Right now, I’m working on my ground game kaya double time sa training to be prepared,” added the former University of the Cordilleras student who debuted in Shotoo MMA in 2019 but lost to Ryo Okada.  

Saclag however said it will all depend on coach Mark Sangiao who recently flew to Thailand with son Jhanlo who will see action against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu in the undercard of ONE Fight Night 13 on August 5 and Carlo Von Bumina-ang who is penciled to take on Reza Saedi on August 4 at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok.

SPORTS

Team Lakay’s Sangiao Jr. faces Mongolian champ

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Team Lakay’s Jhanlo Sangiao is in for one of the toughest tests of his young mixed martial arts career as he locks horns with Mongolian champion Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu on August 14 at the historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
    Hailing from the famed Team Lakay gym that has produced four world champions, Sangiao has been on a meteoric rise with six consecutive wins under his belt.
    The young bantamweight fighter has quickly established himself as one of the most promising prospects in the division captivating audiences worldwide, showcasing his well-rounded skill set, tenacity, and killer instinct.
Trained by his father, renowned coach Mark, Jhanlo possesses an arsenal of striking and grappling techniques that have proven to be a formidable combination. His ability to seamlessly transition between different ranges and his unshakable mental toughness make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.

“Its going to be tough fight for Jhanlo,” said the father – mentor. “Kailangan lang maging consistent din siya sa training at symepre yung game plan kailangan ma – execute.”

Standing in the way of Sangiao's undefeated streak is Baatarkhuu, who has nine wins and two losses.

Known for his explosive striking and aggressive fighting style, Baatarkhuu has been on a tear, obliterating opponents in his past outings including Sangiao’s teammate, Adonis Sevilleno.

His performances have earned him a reputation as a relentless warrior who seeks to finish fights in emphatic fashion while honing his skills, combining traditional Mongolian wrestling techniques with a well-rounded striking game.

Team Lakay meanwhile is expected to parade its new stars in the coming months as Southeast Asian Games medalists Jean Cluade Saclag and Carlo Von Buminaang are being lined – up for upcoming international events.

Sangiao said Saclag and Buminaang are raring to get into the action as they hope to sign up with ONE Championship this year.

“They are now the new face of Team Lakay and we are optimistic that they will also soon be competing in the international stage and be a world champion too,” added Sangiao.

Meanwhile, Carlos Alvares is also eyed to return to the ONE circle soon.

Alvarez has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about prospects in the MMA scene.

Known for their tradition of producing top-tier fighters, Team Lakay has once again unearthed a gem in Alvarez, whose skills and potential have caught the attention of fight enthusiasts worldwide.

In his debut bout against Reza Abasi, Alvarez showcased his diverse skill set, blending explosive striking with a relentless ground game.

The victory not only marked a triumphant start to his professional MMA career but also served as a testament to his dedication and the guidance of his experienced coaches at Team Lakay.