Tokong, Blancada lead Pinoy charge

John Mark Tokong and three other local stars made the round of 32 of the World Surf League QS6000 Siargao International Surfing Cup off Cloud 9 in General Luna on Siargao Island.

Despite the break due to the small waves and current conditions, Tokong, Eduardo Alciso, Shelamae Arjona and Nilbie Blancada survived the grueling Round of 64 to go deeper into the competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Patrick “Pato” Gregorio, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Rusillon-Sajulga and Surigao Del Norte Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers.

Tokong, 29, conquered the island’s challenging waves with a precision ride to score 9.83 points in Heat 16 where Australia’s No. 1 junior surfer Dane Henry (11.83), Japan’s Jin Suzuki (8.67), Indonesia’s I Made Ariyana (11.30) and Italy’s Diego Cordeiro (9.20) also made the grade.

Alciso, on the other hand, placed second behind Heat 4 leader Shohei Kato (12.40) of Japan with 8.00 to also advance reach the next round, which organizers had to postpone for Monday because of rains and a small current.