Ngunit, tulad ng isang tunay na mandirigma, hindi sumuko ang pambato ng Baguio City mula sa Team Lakay. At napatunayan niya ito sa nakamit na tatlong sunod na panalo laban sa matitikas na karibal.
Sa harap nang nagbubunying kababayan, patutunayan ni Banario (11-6) ang lupit ng kanyang kamao at bilis sa pagsagupa kay Australian “Ruthless” Rob Lisita (14-9) para sa three-round lightweight bout sa ONE FC fight card sa Abril 21 sa MOA Arena.
“My recent wins have given me my confidence back. I’m happy that I’m now able to show the positive outcome of my hard work. Those losses didn’t put me down, they gave me the strength to push forward,” pahayag ni Banario.
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“It changed my outlook on life, my outlook on this sport,” aniya.
Handa na sanang talikuran ni Banario ang sports matapos ang ikalimang sunod na kabiguan – tampok ang 56-second submission kay Ev Ting – subalit ang pakiusap at pagtitiwala ng kanyang mga kasangga sa Team Lakay at kay coach Mark Sangiao, nagbago ang kanyang pasya.
“I knew it wasn’t over. I had so many fans, true fans, telling me to soldier on and keep fighting and that they still believed in me. Hearing all the words of encouragement, how can you continue to feel down after that?” pahayag ni Banario.
“Coach Mark (Sangiao) kept a close eye on me and tried to observe my body language. He wanted to see if my confidence would ever come back. I had to remain positive. I knew whatever I needed to find was still inside of me.”
Tangan ang bagong kumpiyansa dulot nang tatlong sunod na panalo, huli’y ang impresibong first round armbar victory kontra top Indian lightweight prospect Rajinder Singh Meena nitong Disyembre, mas matikas na Banario ang haharap sa madlang Pinoy.
“He (Lisita) is the type of fighter who will never give up no matter what. In a way, he’s just like me. It doesn’t matter if he’s tired, beat up or losing a fight. There’s no quit in the man. That’s why they call him ‘Ruthless’,” sambit ni Banario.
“But I’m prepared for anything. Whatever style he wants to bring to the cage. Whether it’s his usual fast-start, looking for the quick finish, or a more technical, drawn out approach -- I’m ready. I’m happy to fight him because I want to be able to test myself against him. He’s a real fighter.”
Para sa karagdagang impormasyon para sa ONE Championship, makipag-ugnayan sa www.onefc.com, o sundan ang aksiyon sa Twitter at Instagram @ONEChampionship.
