Lakay fighters lend support to Team Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Team Lakay, which has produced mixed martial arts champions, is lending a hand to the Philippine kickboxing team’s gold medal drive in the 30th Southeast Asian Games with its top fighters and coaches making up the squad.

Mark Sangiao, one of Team Lakay’s founders, will be one of the national coaches of the team that will be spearheaded by Gina Iniong, Jerry Olsim and Jean Claude Saclag, who have all made a mark in ONE Championship.

Iniong is vying in the women’s 55kg and Olsim and Saclag in the men’s 69kg and 63kg, respectively.

Eduard Folayang, Kevin Belingon, Geje Eustaquio, Joshua Pacio and Honorio Banario are some of the ONE champions under Sangiao.

Ruel Catalan, who is also competing in ONE under a different fight outfit, is also part of the squad and should be a favorite to deliver a gold in the 57kg division.

The other members of the team are Karol Maguide (51kg), Rex de Lara (60kg), Jomar Balaguid (54kg) and Renz Daquel.

The Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas has also tapped Olympian Donald Geisler of taekwondo as part of the coaching staff to help the country’s campaign.

“We’re looking at winning a medal from all our eight fighters,” said SKP secretary-general Wharton Chan. “Of course, the main goal is to win gold medals.”