For Team Lakay coach Mark Sangiao, Carlo “The Bull” Bumina-ang’s journey to make it to ONE Championship should serve as a motivational pathway for aspiring Filipino fighters who want to reach The Home of Martial Arts.
“Kumbaga ito yung blueprint. Kailangan mo lang sipagan,” said the famed mentor.
Bumina-ang earned his way to a lucrative US$100,000 contract with his sensational showing in ONE Friday Fights, racking up five straight victories, capping it off with a phenomenal second-round submission victory over Chayan Oorzhak at ONE Friday Fights 65.
As tough of a path as it was, Sangiao believes that these challenges prepared Bumina-ang for primetime.
“Ito talaga yung magandang daanan nila, na habang nandito sila, nahahanda sila habang paakyat doon sa main roster. Talagang lutong luto na sila at ready sila para lumaban sa mas malalakas pang kalaban,” he said.
And it has delivered the same effect to the Baguio-based gym, with Bumina-ang’s triumph boosting the morale for the camp, including the likes of Carlos “Limitless” Alvarez and Jhanlo Mark “The Machine” Sangiao.
“Ang laking effect sa team at sa gym mismo and nakaka-motivate lalo kasi through the teamwork ng coaches and trainers, naipapakita namin na lahat ng ginagawa namin is nagbubunga para makapag-produce pa ng magagaling na atleta,” he said.
“We’re in the sport na naka-base lahat sa results and hindi lang salita. And ito na nga yung product ng process na pinagdadaanan ng mga atleta natin.”
As for Bumina-ang, Sangiao just reminded “The Bull” to never forget his roots and stay the course.
“Yung reminder na sinabi ko sa kanya is wag niya lang kalimutan yung hardwork niya. Nandito kaming nga coaches to still guide him so he just has to stay humble,” he said. “I believe yung pagiging humble niya yung isang dahilan kung bakit siya nandito.”