Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon is a multiple sports fan. He just predicted the Los Angeles Lakers 2020 National Basketball Association (NBA) champions.
Like the majority of Filipinos, the Filipino firebomb from Team Lakay is also an avid basketball fan and is keeping a close eye on the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
“I love watching NBA games. It’s a nice change of pace from the usual martial arts. I try to watch whenever I can, outside of training of course. I would say that I’m a huge fan of basketball,” said Belingon.
In fact, the 32-year-old veteran isn’t shy of giving his predictions. He just turned in his fearless forecast on who will win the final showdown: the purple and gold team from California.
Belingon thinks the combination of Lebron James and Anthony Davis will be too much for the Denver Nuggets in the West finals.
“This year, I think the Lakers will beat the Nuggets and go all the way to the NBA Finals. Lebron James and Anthony Davis are such a potent 1-2 combo. They are hard to stop. From what I’ve seen so far, I don’t think the Nuggets can beat the Lakers in a seven game series,” said Belingon before completion of the West finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers is set to meet the Miami Heat in this year’s finals.
This was after the Lakers eliminated the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals in five games while the Miami Heat sent the Boston Celtics home in six games.
Belingon also have the Lakers hoisting the 2020 trophy after all things are said and done. “The Lakers are going to win this season’s NBA title.”, he said.
Despite being an elite martial artist, Belingon says he enjoys participating in other athletics, including basketball.
“Just like martial arts, which is ingrained in the Filipino culture, basketball is always in the heart of our people. You won’t find any other country more passionate about basketball than the Philippines. For us, there’s no fun in life if there’s no basketball,” said Belingon.
“These NBA Playoffs in particular are pretty interesting, because of how they execute these events in the time of Covid-19. There are no fans watching, but I’m amazed at how the players are still able to keep the intensity despite that fact.”
One of the most explosive finishers of ONE, Belingon is one of the most exciting bantamweights on the ONE Championship roster.
His explosive offensive style in the Circle made him the holder of the ONE Bantamweight World Champion in the past.
He is currently mired by a two-bout losing streak to current bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes but is still the top contender for the belt.
This makes him yearn more to get back in the gym in order to get his fortunes back on the road. “I just can’t wait to get back in the Circle and do what I love to do best.”, he said.
Hardened by the rough living conditions on the rural mountainside of Ifugao, Belingon picked up martial arts when he was just a young boy.
Eventually, he began training to advance his passion and would become a wushu champion.
He debuted for ONE Championship in 2012, and has since built a solid career in the promotion, consistently placing in the Top 5 in his division.
By Armando M. Bolislis
ONE Championship photo