Team Lakay a force in ADCC International Open

BAGUIO, Philippines — Benguet-grown MMA “Team Lakay” underscored they are more than just a strike team with a big show in the 2023 ADCC Philippine International Open, featuring some of the finest grapplers from across the nation.

Now an affiliate of the famed Lotus Club BJJ, Team Lakay emerged as a dominant force, securing a remarkable second-place finish in the overall standings, besting 22 other teams.

Team Lakay is the first and only club in the country affiliated with Lotus Club BJJ.

In the men’s adult intermediate -83 kg division, Jaybe Ban-eg gained top honors, winning the gold medal with a display of a wide array of technique and tenacity.

Team Lakay’s Joris Jonker, meanwhile, took home a silver medal.

In the men’s adult intermediate -70kg category, Jhanlo Sangiao ‘s remarkable performance netted him the gold medal, solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the world of grappling.

The intermediate division is a clustered division of blue and purple belts in BJJ.

Sangiao also bagged the gold in the men’s adult intermediate open weight (Absolute) category while Ban-eg copped the silver.