Philippine No. 10 boys’ shortboard surfer Marionil Capacite stayed in the hunt for a double crown as he advanced to the quarterfinals and semifinals of the longboard and shortboard divisions, respectively, in the Surf in the City: The 4th Visayas Surfing Cup at Baybay Beach in Borongan City today, Dec. 28.
Joining his first ever longboard competition, the 15-year-old pride of Brgy. Bato showed no jitters as he topped Heat 5 with a 5.17 aggregate to secure his spot in the quarters.
He then sizzled in his pet event, shortboard, thereafter, logging a 6.93 total in Heat 1 for the first round before firing 12.30 points in the quarterfinals to advance to the semis.
Asked how he managed to perform well in longboard on his first try, Capacite said that he simply enjoys surfing.
“Hindi ko po alam (laughs). Enjoy lang ‘yung pagsu-surf,” said Capacite, who shares the 10th ranking with Ilocos Sur’s Jeiru Zen Aribuabo.
While he is starting to show potential in longboarding, the Grade 9 student at Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School said that shortboarding remains to be his favorite as he enjoys the tricks that he is able to execute in the event.
“Shortboard po [ang paborito ko]. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinag-aralan ko nang mabuti. First time ko pong sumali sa longboard,” said Capacite.
“Pinagpraktisan ko po ‘yung mga tricks ko sa shortboard. Kaya ko pong mag-air, ‘yung mga carve saka snap at bottom turn,” added the young gun who dreams of qualifying for the World Surf League in the future.
AJ Kyle Maliao likewise stamped his class in the boys’ shortboard category, registering 11.16 points in Heat 3 to join Capacite in the semifinals.
Completing the cast are JM Factor (7.73), Patricio Aboy (5.63), John Reymond Sale (5.13) and John Dave Bejar (4.86).
Also making it to the juniors’ longboard quarters are Sale (6.70), Factor (4.64), sixth-ranked girls’ shortboard surfer Trisha Basada (3.90), Maxine Luise (3.87), Nemuel Bajado (2.60), Bejar (3.67), Patricio Ruben Aboy 3.03, Kurt Aclado (3.03), Occy Tyler Santos (3.03), Justine Kien Fernandez (2.80) and Jansen Bajado Cafe (2.37).
In men’s shortboard, Bojoy Pimentel produced the highest aggregate in Heat 1 and in the quarterfinals with his 8.30 showing to move to the penultimate round.
John Gil Dulfo set the pace in Heat 3 at 7.46 while Leander Apita topped Heat 2 with his 6.40 output to also advance.
Jerand Aboy had 7.10, Reckynalds Rosel registered 6.00 and Relian Rosel totaled 5.40 to secure the second spot in their respective heats and advance to the semis.
In men’s longboard action, Edgar Calvo, Jr. and Anthony Richard Obina each put in 6.17 points to lead the march to the quarters.
Joining the duo are Junder Bazar (5.10), Jerick Devaras (4.60), Monico de Leon (3.20), Geno Urbano (2.60), Keone Elecho (4.53), Ricky Tinapunan (3.67), Leonard Agda (3.33), Oliver Esplago (2.20), Abel Bejar (1.83) and Michael Angelo Campo (1.70).
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