Philippines’ Margielyn Didal and Christiana Nicole Means during the 30th Southeast Asian Games Philippines 2019 skateboard Game of SKATE competitions held in Sigtuna Hall, Tagaytay International Convention Center. INQUIRER PHOTO/LYN RILLON
TAGAYTAY – As soon as Christiana Means’ hand was raised, signaling her entry as the second finalist in the women’s Game of SKATE, Margielyn Didal was up and about goofing around with her teammate.
They jumped, hugged and pushed each other way, making a fighting stance as if they were two mixed martial artists going to battle.
It was all fun and games of course as the hard part was over for the two skateboard stars, who assured the country of a Southeast Asian Games gold medal last Wednesday at Sigtuna Hall here.
“We’re just enjoying ourselves here,” said Didal in Filipino. “Skateboarding is all about having fun and being with friends. That’s what you see here with us.”
“I agree with her, it’s about having fun,” said the 22-year-old Means, who is also seeing action in the park event.
“We’re friends first. As long as the gold and silver are secure. No matter what happens, we’re going to hold it down for the Philippines.”
The two skateboard stars are set to face off for the gold at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Didal, the Asian Games gold medalist in the street event, bested Thaw Dar Shin Tant of Myanmar, before eliminating Cinta Nyimas of Indonesia in the semifinals, using a “360 shove it” to go on the hill before finishing with an “ollie cross-foot” that her Indonesian foe failed to duplicate.
Didal was in inspired form with parents Lito and Julie and three other siblings flying in from Cebu to watch her skate.
“I’m just excited because they (my family) are here,” Didal added.
Means, who grew up in South Carolina but is now based in Portland, Oregon, handily beat Nur Farah Abdullah in the quarterfinals.
Ranged against Kyandra Susanto of Indonesia in the semifinals, Means, whose mother, Christina Abrea hails from Pampanga, nailed a “late shove it” for her final trick.
“To represent the Philippines makes my family happy,” Means said.
The Filipinos remained on track for a double gold in the event as Daniel Lederman advanced to the semifinals opposite Nguyen Tien Son of Vietnam.
Lederman bested Suppapit Phetsuk of Thailand and Muhammad Rahman of Singapore in the earlier rounds.
But the other Filipino bet in the event, Jeffrey Gonzales, suffered a quarterfinal exit after losing to Hutomo Basral of Indonesia. Gonzales hurdled Jufry of Singapore in the first round.
Organizers moved the Game of SKATE indoors in anticipation of rainy weather conditions. Another meeting among the technical delegate is slated Wednesday night to finalize the schedule of the park and street events as well as the downhill race in Marigondon, Cavite.