Tokong beats Pupo at Cloud 9 before falling to Ewing

Home surfer John Mark "Marama" Tokong gave the Cloud 9 crowd in Siargao an early lift at the WSL Championship Tour Philippines Pro, knocking out Brazilian Samuel Pupo in the opening round on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Tokong, a Siargao native surfing as a wildcard, posted rides of 8.60 and 8.00 for a heat total of 16.60, while Pupo ended on 11.00. His run stopped a day later, on Monday, Nov. 2, when Australian Ethan Ewing went through with 14.50 to Tokong's 11.54.

After the loss, Tokong, a four-time Siargao International Surfing Cup champion, said the conditions were not the same as in his first heat because the wind had picked up. He kept busy and went for aerials but could not land them. He believes that sticking the aerial and escaping the barrel on his opening wave could have changed the result.

Another wildcard, Jayuard Alciso, also took down a big name in round one, ousting French Olympic champion Kauli Vaast before he lost to Japan's Kanoa Igarashi.

For surfers here, the week showed that riders who grew up at Cloud 9 can hold their own against established international names. Tokong said the support from his community, friends and family made him feel he had lost nothing. He also offered advice to 15-year-old La Union surfer Mara Lopez, who competed too, saying she has time to improve but must adjust to Cloud 9 waves, which differ from those back home.