NATIONAL team aces Carlo dela Torre and Sam Bermudez took the overall titles despite impressive upset victories by Mark Griffin and Elisabeth Fuchs in the final leg of the recent 1st Monster Energy Drink Philippine Qualifier Series presented by Safeguard Active at Deca Homes-Clark Wake Park in Angeles City.
Dela Torre wrapped up the men’s wakeboard crown with a series total of 543 points while Bermudez clinched the women’s title with a perfect 600.
Symon Cantos finished second among men with 491 points followed by Davao’s Albert Lehman (356) and Zech Stephenson (346) and Christian Joson (317).
Bermudez bested Andrea Tanjangco (541), co-third placers Pat Espeleta and Alex Andrada (171 each), Cath delos Santos and Roxy Barrios (158 apiece) and Alma Tanwangco (146).
But the leg belonged to Fil-Briton Mark Griffin, a longtime national rider who ruled the Open men’s wakeboard over Albert Lehman of Davao, Symon Cantos and Dela Torre.
Griffin’s tricks capped by an off-axis 360 spin earned him the nod of the judging panel headed by South Korean Jung Sang-han.
Griffin will compete alongside Dela Torre and Bermudez in the IWWF Worlds: Cable Wakeboard World Championships presented by Deca Homes on Nov. 6 to 11 at the same venue.
Fuchs topped the Open women’s wakeboard but, as a guest rider, received no points.
Other winners: Angelo Linao (junior men wakeboard, junior men wakeskate); Mikee Selga (junior women wakeskate, girls’ wakeskate); Moe Gomez (men’s wakeskate); Susan Larsson (women’s wakeskate); JV Tanjangco (men’s masters); Isabel Gomez (junior ladies); Don Moody (boy’s).