Team Lakay still in training mode amid pandemic

Eduard Folayang and the rest of Team Lakay remains in training mode even during the lockdown. Rick Dela Cruz (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Team Lakay has been in training mode.

Coach Mark Sangiao revealed on Tuesday that his team is continuing its training in spite of the community quarantine ordered last March that placed Luzon on lockdown.

"Meron kaming home training before para hindi ma-stop yung conditioning ng mga atleta natin," Sangiao said during the online Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum.

Sangiao added that he just cleared his stable to train at its gym in Baguio when the restrictions were slowly being eased, even saying that some of the fighters opted to sleep inside the gym just to remain focused.

"An example of that is Joshua Pacio. Sabi niya, 'Kailangan kong mag-training. Matutulog ako sa gym kung kailangan,'" Sangiao bared one fighter who went for the stay-in option.

Sangiao, however, clarified that Team Lakay has been following the health protocols put up amid the pandemic.

Team Lakay will find out if its "new normal" training scheme works as its prized fighter, Eduard Folayang, makes his way back to the One Championship circle at One: Inside the Matrix on Oct. 30 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

"For now, he's 90 percent ready," Sangiao said of Folayang's overall readiness for his clash with Antonio Caruso.

However, Sangiao insisted that Folayang is already at 100 percent psychologically, physically, and spiritually.

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