Jerand Aboy and Keone Elecho starred in the men’s shortboard category as Surf in the City: The 4th Visayas Surfing Cup got underway at Baybay Beach in Borongan City today.
Aboy opened the hostilities with a 7.50-best tally in Heat 1 while Elecho bucked the cold and windy conditions to top Heat 3 with a 7.33 collection and secure their respective spots in the second round of the three-day event.
“Naghanap-hanap lang ako ng spot kung saan maganda ‘yung alon tapos kung mayroon akong makuhang maganda, inaayos ko na lang ‘yung mga turn ko. Sinisigurado ko para hindi ako mahulog,” said Elecho.
Surfers battled under overcast skies which proved to be a challenge for the 20-year-old Eastern Samar State University student.
“‘Yung lamig, sobrang sakit sa mga tuhod ko. Hindi ako maka-turn nang maayos saka ‘yung hangin naka-add sa lamig,” added Elecho, son of Eastern Samar surfing pioneer Abdel Elecho.
Meanwhile, John Gil Dulfo, Oliver Esplago and Abel Bejar each turned in stellar performances, punching in identical 7.00 scores in their respective heats to also move to the second round.
Dulfo sustained his form from the get-go to lead the way in Heat 5 even as Bejar shook off a slow start to secure the pole position in Heat 9.
On the other hand, Esplago leaned on a strong finishing kick to seize the top spot in Heat 8 from erstwhile leader Karlsvien Cutib who slid to second at 6.90 and likewise advanced.
“Focus lang saka kumuha lang ng magandang set. Very challenging ‘yung alon saka mga kalaban ko kasi magagaling lahat,” said 25-year-old Esplago, who joined the Guiuan and Baler legs of the Pilipinas Surfing National Tour this year as a member of local team Surfriders Club of Eastern Samar.
Also moving to the second round are fellow heat leaders Bojoy Pimentel (6.41 points), Roderick Tinapunan (6.40), Leander Apita (3.83), Reckynalds Rosel (6.33), Arnold Boco (5.37), Brando Apita (4.04) and Relian Rosel (4.63) as well as other second-place finishers Clyde Aboy (6.20), John Gabionza (2.68), Mikko Araza (2.83), Junder Bazar (3.17), Al Adorable (4.00), Eige Gregorio (3.30), Monico de Leon (5.60), Geno Urbano (4.40), Ricky Tinapunan (4.33), John Michael Dulfo (3.60) and Waniwan Joshua Apura (3.60).
Action resumes tomorrow with surfers raring to jumpstart their bids in five other categories: boys’ shortboard, juniors longboard, men’s and women’s longboard, and masters.
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