Filipinos eye advancement in Siargao international surfing tourney

Three Filipinos are aiming to advance to the next round of the Siargao International Surfing Cup to be held at the Cloud 9 surfing spot on Monday.

Philippine surfing team members John Mark Tokong, Christian Araquil, and Jay-r Esquivel will need to land in the Top 2 spots of their respective heats to advance to the next stage.

Tokong said there is “no pressure” on him ahead of the competition as he knows he is “not the only one left for the Philippines.”

Tokong is a native of General Luna, where the famous Cloud 9 surfing spot is located. He will also be representing the country in the Southeast Asian Games in La Union in December.

Other Filipino quarterfinalists PJ Alipayo, Carlito Nogralo, Kent Brian Solloso, and Neil Sanchez were unable to advance.

Meanwhile, the international surfers who inched closer to the championship on Sunday were Argentina’s Santiago Muniz, Japan’s Jin Suzuki, Australians Callum Robson, and Samson Coulter, New Zealand’s Elliot Paerate-Reed, and Hawaii’s Noah Beschen.

The tournament is headed by the Siargao International Surfing Organization Committee composed of the offices of the Siargao representative, Surigao del Norte governor, and General Luna mayor.

The event is sanctioned QS 1500 by the World Surf League Asia. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News