This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
John Mark Tokong and Nilbie Blancad headline the Philippines’ campaign in the qualifying series of the World Surf League in Siargao
John Mark Tokong and three other local stars reached the round of 32 of the 2025 World Surf League QS6000 Siargao International Surfing Cup off Cloud 9 in General Luna on Siargao Island.
Despite the break due to the small waves and current conditions, Siargao’s very own Tokong, Eduardo Alciso, Shelamae Arjona, and Nilbie Blancada survived the grueling round of 64 to go deeper into the competition.
Tokong, 29, conquered the island’s challenging waves with a precision ride to score 9.83 points in Heat 16 where Australia’s No. 1 junior surfer Dane Henry (11.83), Japan’s Jin Suzuki (8.67), Indonesia’s I Made Ariyana (11.30), and Italy’s Diego Cordeiro (9.20) also made the grade.
Alciso placed second behind Heat 4 leader Shohei Kato (12.40) of Japan with 8.00 to also advance the next round, which organizers had to postpone because of rains and a small current.
Also progressing were Australians Dom Thomas, Kyan Falvey, Ash Jenner, Harley Walters, Morgan Cibilic, Axel Curotta, Ben Lorentson, Lennix Smith, Ty Richardson, Tane Dobbyn, Eden Hasson, and Tom Whitpaine.
The other Japanese in the next phase were Ikko Watanabe, John Azuchi, Yuma Nagasawa, Ikko Watanabe, Reo Inaba, Takumi Nakamura, Raiki Masuda, Roi Kanazawa, Shohei Kato and Tenshi Iwami.
In the women’s QS6000 round of 48, 24-year-old pro Sheila Mae Arjona tallied 6.43 in Heat 6 to move to the round of 32.
Nildie Blancada, one of the country’s finest bets, was seeded to the round of 32.
The other qualifiers were Japan’s Mirai Ikeda, Anon Matsuoka and Sara Wakita; Australia’s Isi Campbell, Paige Hareb, Freya Prumm, Tayla Brown and Ziggy McKenzie, and Great Britain’s Sky Brown and Milla Coco Brown.
After Siargao, the Qualifying Series goes to Baler from November 17 to 23 and La Union from January 11 to 16 and 20 to 26. – Rappler.com
