Batucan rules wakeboarding competition

CEBU, Philippines - Efren Batucan successfully defended his title in the advanced category of the Cebu Wake Jam Competition the other day at the Cebu Wake Park located in Papakits in Liloan.

Batucan gets out his bag of tricks in wakeboarding to prevent former top junior motocross rider Ian Reyes from stealing the show from him.

Reyes though had nothing to lose and everything to gain as it was just his first competition in his new-found love, yet he was such a threat to everyone on the line.

Organizers had to put Reyes on the advanced class and not on the beginners division as the latter already have a lot of tricks at hand.

Reyes missed the title, but a second place finish remains one memorable debut for him.

Arnel Duterte who has been wakeboarding way ahead of Reyes settled for third.

Ryna Pamili came out as the top performer in the beginners category, followed by Gerwen Pasay for the second spot and Jaross Veloso for third.

In the wakeskating action, JR Tuason bagged the championship trophy while Andre Dauz and Kim Diola placed second and third.

Organizers are planning to make the Wake Jam a three-part series with an overall champion to be declared at the end of the year.— (FREEMAN)