Luzon bets headed to Go for Gold Go skateboarding national finals

MANILA, Philippines—Abigail Viloria, Arianne Mae Trinidad, Charles Louie Paje, and Tomas Romualdez have momentum on their side as they set off to the national finals of the 2019 Go for Gold Skateboarding Championships.

All four ruled their respective divisions in the Luzon Leg of the competition that will determine who will represent the Philippines in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Cavite’s Viloria took the gold in the skate event with Airish Tenorio of Camarines Norte taking the silver and Julieann Hilario of Batangas settling for the bronze.

Hilario and Tenorio still qualified for the national finals in Sta. Rosa Laguna on Aug. 24-25 since all podium finishers are eligible for a spot.

Trinidad was the fastest in the women’s downhill race earning her the gold medal while Jennica Gulapa, and Gwen Cabangon settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

“I believe skateboarding is a great sport to encourage our youth. It’s not so expensive and can be done almost anywhere,’’ said Go For Gold godfather Jeremy Go. “We hope that our athletes can serve as role models to keep Filipino kids in sports and out of trouble,”

Paje took the gold in the men’s game of skate event to edge past silver medalist Christian Enconado and bronze medal winner Mark Garcia.

Romualdez was the fastest in the men’s downhill competition earning him the gold while Sebastian Chanco got the silver and Duke Pandeagua took the bronze.

The Visayas leg will be held in Cebu City on April 6-7 while the Mindanao leg will take place in General Santos City on May 25-26.