Locals post top scores in Round 1 of the Siargao International Surfing Cup at Cloud 9

Piso Alcala, a local of Siargao Island

26 September, Siargao Island – Philippines:  Siargao locals posted the top scores in the opening round of the 20^th annual Siargao International Surfing Cup at Cloud 9 today, with previous event winner Piso Alcala spending as much time in the air as in the water during the final heat of the day to rack up a the highest heat score of the day of 16.50 points (out of a possible 20) for his two biggest airs of 8.0 and 8.5. 

  

“There weren’t any barrels out there today, so I had no choice but to take to the air,” said Piso with a smile.  “But I hope there will be some barrels for us tomorrow, because that’s what Cloud 9 is all about!”  Last year, uncharacteristically, Piso didn’t make it out of Round 4, so he’s all about getting into the finals this year at his home break. 

  

The second highest combined heat score was posted in Heat 1 by Carlito Nogalo, whose power surfing and a barrel got him a total score of 15.25, for a 7.25 and an 8.0.  He bested last year’s winner Putra Hermawan, who finished in second place with a total score of 11.75. Both surfers advance to Round 2.

Carlito Nogalo of Siargao Island 

Rounding out the high scoring pool was young Mark “Marama” Tokong with a total score of 14.90, using his bantamweight frame to complete some impressive airs and handily win his heat and advance to Round 2.

Marama Tokong of Siargao Island

The swell is expected to fill in tomorrow and allow the Round 2 contestants to get their chance at some Cloud 9 tubes, so Contest Director Gerry Degan informed them at the end of today’s competition that they should be standing by and ready to compete at 6:00 am in the morning.

Stay tuned for the exciting action that will continue at the Philippines oldest running surfing event that is now on the ASP’s schedule for the first time in history.

See all the results at http://www.aspworldtour.com/events/2014/mqs/1078/siargao-cloud-9-surfing-cup/results

The 2014 Siargao International Surfing Cup is a co-sanctioned 1-star ASP Men’s World Qualifying event and a ASC Grade 4 event that will run from 24 - 28 September 2014 and boasts US$15,000 Prize Money.  

The 20^th Siargao International Surfing Cup is presented by the MVP Group of Companies and Manila Mining Corporation, with event organizers the Municipality of General Luna and Provincial Government of Surigao del Norte) and support by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), the Philippine Department of Tourism, Cloud 9 Boardriders Club and Fluid Surf.

The event is sanctioned by the Association of Surfing Professionals and the Asian Surfing Championships with the assistance of the Philippine Surfing Federation.

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About the Asian Surfing Championships (ASC) The Asian Surfing Championships was established in 2010 as the progression of the highly successful Indonesian Surfing Championships that began in Bali, Indonesia in 2004.  The mission of the ASC is to develop and progress the sport of surfing in Asia by assisting in the organizing and sanctioning of professional surfing events, which will help their growing surf communities and draw more attention to their areas for the progression of surfing locally, nationally, and throughout the Asian Region.

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