A mix of victories and new partnerships marked Team Lakay’s banner 2024 ushering a new chapter in the team’s storied history.
The year kicked off with Carlo Von Buminaang extending his winning streak to four after submitting Xie Zhipeng in the first round of ONE Lumpinee Friday Fights in February.
March brought the 40th Lakay Grappler’s Cup, showcasing the team’s continued emphasis on grappling excellence.
By March 30, the TLC Congressman Eric Yap Martial Arts Tournament delivered electrifying bouts, highlighted by Adonis Sevilleno and Jean Claude Saclag’s victories in the main and co-main events, respectively.
In April, Conan Dela Pena and Estrada Donga-as scored big wins in DFC, while on April 27, the ACE Championship Contender Series 1 was launched, further boosting the profile of Team Lakay athletes.
Bumina-ang continue his meteoric rise in ONE as he made history on May 31 by submitting Chayan Oorzhak, securing his fifth straight win, a $100K contract, and Fight of the Night honors.
June was another golden month, with Team Lakay athletes dominating the Pan Asian International No-Gi Open, where Carlos Alvarez, Jhanlo Sangiao, Jaybe Ban-eg, Sevilleno, Saclag, and Jonker each brought home medals.
Despite the highs, Team Lakay faced tough tests in international competitions.
Adonis Sevilleno fell to Mongolia’s Dagiisuren Chagnaadorj at Gladiator Japan on July 7. In August, Bumina-amg lost in his ONE Main Roster debut to Top 5 Bantamweight Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, followed by Estrada Donga-as’s loss to Vietnam’s Van Nam Pham at ONE Lumpinee.
The latter half of the year saw several athletes making their mark.
Saclag shone in his ONE promotional debut on September 6, finishing Lee Jun Young via a first-round TKO.
Alvarez redeemed himself with a second-round TKO victory over Mirza Aliev on November 8, signaling a strong comeback.
The 41st, 42nd, and 43rd Lakay Grappler’s Cups, held in partnership with YMCA and other local entities, underscored Team Lakay’s commitment to grassroots development. The 115th Baguio Charter Day Wushu Invitational saw the team amass nine golds, five silvers, and five bronzes, demonstrating their prowess in martial arts beyond MMA.
October also marked Carlo Von’s triumph at the Asian Kickboxing Championship, bringing home gold, while the Young Dragons continued their medal rush in the Batang Pinoy and Benguet Provincial Athletic Meet.
A significant highlight came on September 22 with the signing of the Team Lakay Exodus Foundation MOA, establishing a partnership with US organizations to support sports, education, and athlete exchanges.
Team Lakay, together with the Department of Education – Benguet also signed a memorandum in a bid to enhance the skills and capabilities of athletes in the province by providing comprehensive training programs.
Also, on December 12 marked the launch of King’s College of the Philippines Sports Development Program in collaboration with Team Lakay, ensuring a brighter future for aspiring athletes.
The year concluded with thrilling events, including the 19th TLC Congressman Eric Yap Martial Arts Tournament and the 20th TLC Benguet Explosion III.
Notable victories included Adonis Sevilleno defeating Dave Morata in the main event and Nahuel Gandolfi’s submission win via triangle choke at the Benguet Explosion.
2024 was a testament to Team Lakay’s resilience and growth, blending victories, tough losses, and developmental milestones.
With new partnerships, rising stars, and lessons learned, the team is poised for greater achievements in 2025.
-TL PR
