Rogelio “Jay-R” Esquivel and Team Philippines took home a bronze each in the last day of the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Longboard Championships finals over the weekend at the El Sunzal resort in El Salvador.
Esquivel from San Juan, La Union collected 730 points to cop the bronze among 61 surfers around the world in the men’s individual class ruled by Edourd Delpero of France (1000) and Rodrigo Sphaier of Brazil (860).
“Thank you for bringing Philippine surfing to the world’s grand stage,” said United Philippines Surfing Association (UPSA) president Dr. Jose Canlas, also the Philippine Olympic Committee, treasurer.
Esquivel, Crisanto Villanueva, Mara Lopez, and Daisy Valdez of Team Philippines also bagged the bronze for the longboard team event after accumulating 2288 points against 44 other countries.
Four-time champion France took home the team championship gold medal with 2865 points and Team USA with 2335 points.
“This victory is a testament to the dedication of our athletes and the invaluable guidance of UPSA national coaches Bjorn Pabon and Manuel Melindo,” Canlas added. “You have made the country proud. Thank you also to our supporters. Your belief in our athletes fueled their journey.”
Canlas extended his gratitude to Manny V. Pangilinan Sports Foundation, Inc., Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee, headed by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
The bronze medals improved the Philippines’ fourth place finish in 2023 as well as Esquivel’s same finish in the same year.
