SIARGAO – Gabriel Medina and Caitlin Simmers claimed the women's and men's titles, respectively, at the close of the first-ever World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour Philippines Pro at Cloud 9 on Tuesday.
Three-time world champion Medina defeated reigning world champion Yago Dora in the semifinals before taking down Australian Jack Robinson, 16.93 points to 14.50, to claim his first Championship Tour title of the season.
The 32-year old Brazilian won the $80,000 winner's purse from the $1 million prize fund and gathered enough points to move up two places to No. 2 in the rankings, putting the pressure on Dora heading to the season-ender in Hawaii.
Medina built his winning score with a 9.43 on his opening wave and a 7.50 on his second. Robinson, ranked No. 12 in the world, posted an 8.23 and a 6.27 but couldn't find the wave he needed in the last few minutes of the 30-minute session.
Before reaching the final, Medina eliminated the Dora, 15.76 to 13.50, while Robinson secured his finals berth by defeating fellow Australian Ethan Ewing.
Simmers, the American world No. 6, defeated Australia's Isabella Nichols, 12.00-10.77, in the women's final to become the first women's champion of the Philippine leg. She also won a purse of $80,000.
Simmers secured her place in the championship round after beating world No. 2 Carissa Moore, whose campaign came to an end after she received an Interference Penalty 2, which wiped out her second scoring wave.
Nichols reached the final after defeating fellow Australian Tyler Wright in the other semifinal but fell short against Simmers in the title match.
The prestigious competition was presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), with the support of Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and Vice Mayor Romina Sajulga.
Meanwhile, Filipino bets John Mark “Marama” Tokong and Jayuard Alciso each received $14,000 for reaching Round 2, while Noah Arkfeld will take home US$13,000. Young Filipina surfer Mara Lopez, meanwhile, will receive US$13,500.
Also supporting the event are the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and NEA/SIARELCO.
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