MANILA, Philippines — Filipino Rogelio "JayR" Esquivel kept his glorious rides in California waves, besting highly touted American bet Richie Cravey to claim a spot in the semifinals of the Huntington Beach Longboard Classic of the Wallex US Open in Huntington Beach Pier yesterday.
The proud son of San Juan, La Union was nothing short of fantastic in downing the current North American champion with a 14.13 as against the latter’s 7.40.
Esquivel was unperturbed by Cravey’s interference late in the heat knowing victory was already at hand.
It was a triumph that spoiled what could’ve been an all-American semis cast as three-time world longboard king Taylor Jensen, Tony Silvagni and Kaniela Stewart all made it past the quarterfinals.
Earlier, Esquivel, the first Filipino to qualify in the World Surf League Longboard Tour, shocked veteran tour campaigner Ben Skinner of the United Kingdom to make the quarters.
Esquivel, whose last triumph came in the Padrol Longboard Classic in Bali, Indonesia recently, also hurdled past Silvagni and Kevin Skvarna of the United States in a grand debut in the Wallex US Open a few days ago.
The top surfers here will inch closer toward qualification to the 2024 Championship Tour while also getting a chance to earn points in becoming the best in the sport in the whole planet.