SIARGAO - Local hero John Mark 'Marama' Tokong didn't disappoint home fans, outclassing Brazil's Samuel Pupo in his World Surf League Championship Tour Philippines Pro debut on Sunday.
The Filipino wildcard seized the chance to shine in Cloud 9's waves that he has surfed since he was a kid, posting a score of 14.83 points right in the first 10 minutes to put the pressure on the Brazilian world No. 12.
For good measure, 'Marama' added a day's best 8.60 after emerging triumpantly with one hand held high from a tight barrel to all but close the door on Pupo approaching the end of the session done with 5 to 8-foot waves.
Tokong takes it home
His 16.60 total - the highest of Day 2 - enabled the 30-year old home hero to advance to Round 2 of the world's premiere surfing competition where he will face Aussie veteran and current world No. 7 Ethan Ewing.
The performance not only made Tokong the first Filipino to win a WSL match, it also guaranteed him a purse of at least $14,000 for reaching Round 2.
"There was pressure [when I was] on land, but once in the water I was all right," said Tokong, as he soaked in the cheers of home fans after the trailblazing victory.
"Now I'm in the second round and let's see how it goes. Let's do it again tomorrow."
Pupo rode a pair of good waves in the final 10 minutes of the 30-minute session in a last-ditch bid to turn it around, but the most the Brazilian got was 11.00.
Another Filipino wildcard, Jayuard Alciso, later made it a double celebration for home fans, stunning reigning Olympic champion Kauli Vaast of France.
The 21 year old beat world No. 11 Vaast, 12.93 to 12.17, to make it two Filipinos in Round 2 which will be played on Monday, where he will take on newly minted Asian Games champion Kanoa Igarashi of Japan.
Round 2 heats played on Sunday saw Samuel Pupo's brother Miguel beat Jack Robinson of Australia, 12.60 to 11.90, and Hawaii's Seth Moniz takes out world No. 2 Itan Ferrero of Brazil via stunning 14.43 to 13.67 victory.
The historic competition is 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.
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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