Pacio stresses ONE title conquest is for people of Cordillera

MANILA, Philippines — Promise delivered.

Speaking before a handful of Filipino scribes ahead of his title rematch with Yoshitaka Naito, Joshua Pacio said he will dedicate the fight to his Cordillera brethren who suffered during the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong.

Last Saturday was a realization of all of that resolve when he outlasted the Japanese veteran to become the new ONE Championship strawweight world champion at the Jakarta Convention Center in Indonesia.

“Yung bout na ‘to, para talaga dun sa mga nasalanta ng typhoon dun sa Baguio, kasi doon sa Itogon, doon ‘yung part na marami ‘yung mga cousins ko. Thank God walang na-dali sa kanila, pero marami kaming mga kakikilala [na natamaan],” Pacio told the press shortly after capturing the belt.

It is worth noting, though, that Pacio’s words came in between deep breaths — probably off exhaustion and relief. After all, he was going against a renowned grappling specialist in the 34-year-old Naito.

“‘Yun ang inexpect ko sa laban na ‘to,” the Team Lakay ward said of the gritty fight. “[Against] Dejdamrong nga eh, ang dami niyang tinanggap na sipa, na suntok, pero  [he kept on] moving forward pa rin. So inextpect ko talaga na [ganito].”

“Natamaan ko siya sa first round sa tiyan kaya medyo nag-alalay siya, pero malakas parin siya at pinipili parin niya yung takedowns so alam ko na kaya niya tumanggap,” Pacio added of Naito. “Sa tingin ko dikit na dikit ‘yung laban, akala ko pa nga, split decision.”

Nevertheless, Pacio also believes it’s his time to shine.

But he, too, was drowned by the euphoria of his journey in the division going full circle. In their last meeting in 2016, Pacio was in control for most of their match in YAngon, Myanmar, until Natio turned the tables with his cage control and wrestling savvy.

“Napaka-saya ko,” Pacio shared. “Hindi ko maipaliwanag ‘yung nararamdaman ko, hindi ko nga alam kung iiyak ako o tatawa.

“Unexplainable,” the 22-year-old new champion offered in closing.