Tokong, Blancada rule 26th Siargao International Surfing Cup

By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

John Mark Tokong and Nelbie Blancada upstaged their foreign counterparts Monday, Oct. 17, to capture the men’s and women’s titles in the 26^th Siargao International Surfing Cup.

The Siargao-based Tokong, more popularly known as “Marama”, banked on his familiarity with the iconic spot Cloud 9 to post a two-wave total of 15.80 and beat Indonesian Oney Anwar’s 14.15.

“Every wave is different. I already know Cloud 9 so I always have a plan. It’s nice that the waves are fun (today),” said Tokong, who ranked 29^th in the men’s qualifying series (QS) prior to the tournament presented by San Miguel Corp.

It was a revenge of sorts for Tokong, who finished bronze in the shortboard competition at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in La Union. Anwar won the gold medal in that edition.

“Unfortunately I didn’t win, but I’m happy for my friend,” said Anwar, who was coming off a fifth place finish in the Nias Pro in Indonesia.

Tokong’s victory earned him $2,500 top purse (around P147,000) and 1,000 points as the tournament serves as a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series event, propelling him from 29^th to 11^th place in the QS rankings.

Coming off seeded in the Round of 32, Tokong scored 12.85 to advance to the Round of 16, where he also finished second in the Heat with 14.40.

He bested Japanese Yuji Nishi in the quarterfinals with 15.75 before posting his highest score of 16.00 in beating fellow Siargaonon Philmar Alipayo, who could only do 14.90 in their semifinal duel.

Meanwhile, Blancada also showed she was a force to reckon with by scoring 11.50 against Anon Matsuoka of Japan, who tallied 10.35, in their final matchup.

A 2019 SEAG gold medalist in shortboard event, Blancada was on top throughout her heats with scores of 9.10 in the Round of 24, 15.50 in Round of 16, 12.75 against Australian Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie’s 5.20 in the quarterfinals, and 14.75 against Japanese Nanaho Tsuzuki’s 11.65 in the semis.

Blancada also earned her $2,500 cash prize and 1,000 points, improving from No. 17 to No. 17 in the women’s QS rankings.