For the 44 times that the Team Lakay Grapplers Cup was held, Coach Mark Sangiao can’t help but get amazed as participation of the tournament has grown, attracting not only mixed martial arts gym across the region but also government agencies, such as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. “For the first time, we have participants from BJMP aside from the regulars who compete in our tournament,” added Sangiao. Marie Grace Carluen led University of Cordilleras/Team Lakay with her two gold medals, winning in the female seniors 58 to 64 kilograms and the absolute division.
Other gold medalists for Team Lakay are:
- Hyuma Sibaen (kids male 13-15yrs old 43-50 KG)
- Anilyn Linglingan (female juniors; 43 – 50 KG)
- Ralph Cervantes (male juniors 65 – 71 KG)
- Dale Marie Joy Mayos (female seniors 50KG – below)
- Chad Mayos (male seniors 65 -71 KG)
- Jeff Faklayen (male juniors 58 -64 KG)
Faklayen and Carluen are also part of the University of the Cordilleras Jaguars varsity squad. La Trinidad Jiu Jitsu meanwhile surprised the field winning four gold medals courtesy of:
- Rafael Donglasan (male juniors 51 – 57 KG)
- Charles Calawen (male juniors 72 – 79 KG)
- McLean Tudayan (male seniors 72 – 79)
- Ray Bradley Manogan (male seniors 80 KG & above)
Wild Dogs MMA also took home one medal each:
- Rio Nichole Dela Rosa (male kids 13-15yrs old 36-42KG)
- Danica Tabunot (female kids 13-15yrs old;43-50KG)
- Shekeena Bersabe (female juniors 36 – 42 KG)
Primal MMA grabbed two gold medals courtesy of:
- TJ Ajochay (male juniors 43-50 KG)
- Ross Danao (male seniors 72 – 79 KG)
DCartel Marikina also came home with two gold medals apiece with:
- Giezel Daya topping the female seniors 51 – 57 KG
- Denzel Alipio winning in the male seniors 58 – 64 KG.
Other gold medalists are:
- Amari Tadina of Lakay San Fernando (male seniors 50KG – below)
- Christian Leondaz III of Mindoro Overlimit Baguio (male kids 10 -12 yrs old; 36 – 42KG)
- Alvin Keizer Kelilia of Quads MMA (male kids 13-15yrs old;51-57KG)
- Wren Lumidao from Gridlock/Overlimit (male seniors 51 – 57 KG)
- Arvin Jose of Jail Jitsu Squad/ BJMP – CAR (male seniors 80KG & ABOVE).
Sibaen meanwhile took home the fastest submission award with 15 seconds via triangle choke while the best submission went to Sayud of UC for his baseball choke.
The 44th Team Lakay Grappling Cup is part of the 4th Benguet Martial Arts Festival held September 13 to 14 at the Benguet Sports Complex. Aside from grappling the festival also featured tournaments in taekwondo, arnis, kickboxing and Muay Thai (Muay Mai – Wai Kru).
