Jeiru Zen Aribuabo of Ilocos Sur and La Union’s Mara Lopez stole the show as they dominated their respective divisions in the inaugural juniors longboard category of the Surf City Borongan Masters at the Baybay Beach in Borongan City today, Nov. 25.
Aribuabo tallied 9.25 to outmuscle his rivals in Heat 2 and the rest of the field in the boys’ side to move to the semifinals while Lopez logged a similar score in Heat 1 to lead the way in the girls’ semis and book a finals ticket.
Mark Owen Sarabia, who trailed four points behind fellow Ilocano Aribuabo at 5.25 in the quarterfinals, also advanced. He will face off with Camarines Norte’s Jefferson Ablaneda and Northern Samar’s Gallian Legarde in Heat 1 of the semis.
Ablaneda topped Heat 1 with a 6.25 score while Legarde finished second in Heat 3 at 4.85 in the quarters.
Meanwhile, La Union’s John Andrew Esquivel, nephew of longboard surfing world no. 8 Jay-R Esquivel, came up with 7.50 to set the pace in Heat 3 and secure a seat in the semis where he will tangle with Aribuabo and Surigao del Norte’s Jayuard Alciso, the second-best athlete in Heat 1 of the quarters.
On the distaff side, Eastern Samar’s Erica Mae Caberio secured her finals spot as she bested her foes in Heat 2 of the semis at 5.80. Kaila Jane Dela Torre of La Union came close behind at 5.00 to also advance.
Trisha Basada, also of Eastern Samar, completed the finals cast with a 4.35 score in Heat 1.
Action in the fourth leg of the NextGen Pilipinas Surfing National Tour continues tomorrow, Nov. 26.
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