LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The contenders for the 20th Team Lakay Championship Benguet Explosion III had their ceremonial face-offs and a press conference on Thursday, November 28 at the Hiraya Specialty Creations in Puguis, La Trinidad.
The Team Lakay Championship is a mixed martial arts (MMA) event held annually consisting of local fighters from Mountain Province, Baguio City, La Union, La Trinidad, Benguet, and other areas of the Cordilleras along with competitors from as far away as Manila. The 20th Team Lakay Championship Benguet Explosion III will be held on Friday, November 29, 2024 at the Benguet Sports Complex Gym
For the first bout, a Catchweight Amateur K-1 Contest, the match is between Gian Carlo of CMASC and Clifford Sadagan of the San Gebu Elyu Gym.
The second bout is a Flyweight Amateur K-1 round between Justine Somera of CMASC and Januel Fritz Castillo of the Team Lakay San Fernando La Union Gym.
The third bout consists of the Women’s Catchweight Amateur MMA Contest with a fight between Roxanne Cabildo of T-Rex MMA and Dalemarrie Joy Mayos of the Lakay Central Gym.
The fourth bout is a Lightweight Pro-am MMA battle between Brandon Albis and Quads MMA and CCDC Admirals and Jony Earl Caoalo of the UC Jaguars and Lakay Central Gym.
The fifth bout, a Bantamwight Pro-am MMA Contest consists of Wilmer Salpad of the BSU Wildcats against Errol George Lapic of the CCDC Wushu Admirals.
The sixth bout is a Flyweight Pro-am MMA Contest between Joshua Piggangay of the Never Back Down Natural Gym and Harizz Paddison Luyo of the UC Jaguars and Lakay Central Gym.
The seventh bout is a Featherweight Pro-Am MMA round between Ryan Banisal of Tribu Banwar and Kurt Jio Nais-od of the UC Jaguars and Lakay Central Gym.
Eight bouts consists of Women’s Flyweight Pro-am Bantamweight MMA Contest with a fight between Criselyn Lusadan of the BSU Wildcats and Mary Grace Carluen of the UC Jaguars and Lakay Central Gym.
For the co-main event, a Pro-am Bantamweight MMA Contest, Israel Balisacan of T-Rex MMA is going against Chad Mayos of Lakay Central Gym.
Finally, headlining the 20th Team Lakay Championship Benguet Explosion III is a Pro-am Featherweight match between Aljon Parba of T-rex MMA and Argentinian Nahuel “El Roble” Gandolfi of the Lakay Central Gym.
Mark Sangiao, Benguet Explosion III Promoter, and Geje Eustaquio, Benguet Explosion III Event Director and Matchmaker were also present at the press conference.
Sangiao invited everyone to support the athletes contending in the event.
“The Benguet Explosion III, from our events, is part of the Adivay Festival and I believe na the fights tomorrow will be exciting matches,” Eustaquio emphasized.
Team Lakay Head Trainer, Coach Jaybe Ban-eg furthermore expressed that he expects successful fights.
“Yung mga participants natin ay well-talented at very skilled especially that this event is MMA, so ine-expect ko na meron mana-knock out, may mananalo, may submission, technical knockout, and baka for me, expect ko baka ilan lang yung aabot sa decision,” Ban-eg expressed. By Heleina Taeza
