Team Lakay received a big blow to the gut this past March after stable pillars and former ONE World Champions Eduard “Landslide" Folayang, Kevin "The Silencer" Belingon, Honorio "The Rock" Banario, and Joshua "The Passion" Pacio bid farewell to the legendary mixed martial arts camp.

Mark Sangiao. (ONE Championship photo)

While it can’t be denied that the exodus rocked the team to its core, the remaining members are continuing to make progress. This is, of course, according to co-founder and head coach Mark Sangiao.

“Our next generation of Team Lakay fighters are doing okay for the most part. I can see them working hard, and they’re training every day,” he said.

“We focus on them a lot more these days. I’ve seen it firsthand. They’ve progressed so quickly when it comes to their performance.”

What transpired a few months ago may have created a huge void, but for Sangiao, he sees it as an opportunity for the next generation of Team Lakay athletes to step up and hoist the group’s flag.

“One of the things that makes the youngsters happier is [that they’re] getting the chance to shine. [Because] the seniors left, they’re now the ones benefiting and are now in the front of the line,” he said.

The 44-year-old decorated mentor still has a solid cast of talents left in his yard, led by ex-ONE Flyweight World Champion Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio and #2-ranked bantamweight contender Stephen “The Sniper” Loman.

Joining them is rising bantamweight star Jhanlo “The Machine” Sangiao, ONE Warrior Series Philippines winner Adonis Sevilleno, and blue-chip prospect Carlos Alvarez.

Sangiao acknowledged that the four notable names who shockingly left Team Lakay had a significant impact on where the group stands today. However, he is optimistic that he can recreate the same level of success with the pieces he now possesses.

“Whatever the case may be, let’s move forward,” he said. “Let’s create champions again like them.”