Finals day match-ups were set across all divisions on day four of the Baler International Pro, a World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 4000 and Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) event. The low period two-to-three-foot surf saw the action come thick and fast as surfers stayed active across many tight heats. The remainder of men’s Round of 32 was completed, along with men’s and women’s Rounds of 16 and the men’s LQS Quarterfinals.
Defending winner Minami Nonaka (JPN) picked up exactly where she left off in 2024, posting both the highest single wave score and the highest heat total of the women’s QS 4000 so far in her opening heat. Building her scores throughout, Nonaka eventually found a right that continued opening up for her to deliver a vertical attack. The 7.50 (out of a possible 10) awarded added to an existing high point of a 5.50 for a 13.00 (out of a possible 20) heat total. Currently sitting at No. 3 on the Asia QS rankings, the 24-year-old is hoping to hold on to a position with the Challenger Series qualification line to keep her place on the series.
“Yes, that 7.50-point wave, I didn’t think it would be good, but I gave it a go and the wave gradually grew down the line,” Nonaka said. “There weren’t many good waves, so when I thought it was a good one, I got a little nervous, thinking that if I fell I’d be in trouble. There weren’t many waves with four or five hits, so getting four or five felt like an accomplishment. Of course I’m aiming for victory, but if I worry about it too much it interferes with my surfing. I’m not worrying about points, I’m just hoping to surf well and aiming to win.”
The advancement of Olympian Shino Matsuda (JPN) alongside Nonaka completed a clean sweep for Japanese women in the Round of 16, setting up an all-Japan Quarterfinals. Also claiming heat wins alongside Nonaka were Nanaho Tsuzuki (JPN), Mirai Ikeda (JPN), and Cocona Kawase (JPN). It was the second heat win of the event for Kawase, who maintained solid heat control across both rounds. The 21-year-old goofyfoot attacked the left on her forehand to open today’s heat with a 6.50 and gain an early lead that she didn’t give up, especially after adding a second score in the 6-point range.
“From the beginning, the wave came on the bank I was aiming for, and I was able to ride it and make a solid hit,” Kawase said. “So I think it was a heat where I could surf with a lot of confidence. Last time I competed, in the QS 6000 in Taiwan, I was a little disappointed with the result and performance, so I went into each match with the intention of improving in order to fix that.”
Bonsoy Asia Super Series leader Kei Kobayashi (JPN) continued his strong form across the region’s competition, making the Quarterfinals for the sixth time this season. After narrowly taking the win in his opening Round of 32 heat, Kobayashi stepped it up in the Round of 16, delivering a 7.25 in the final 90 seconds of the last heat of the day to take the win. With all four surfers aiming for the skies, Kobayashi delivered the winning blow in the form of a whippy air reverse into the flats to advance ahead of Dhany Widianto (INA) and eliminate the two remaining Filipino surfers in the QS 4000 draw, Neil Sanchez (PHL) and John Mark Tokong (PHL).
“I’m into the quarters, I finally did something cool, kind of, and yeah, I feel really good,” Kobayashi said. “It’s definitely a little confidence-booster winning heats. Whether you’re getting eight points or nine points, a heat win is definitely a confident booster. So just taking it heat-by-heat and yeah, super stoked to be in the quarters.”
For the second day running, Yuji Nishi (JPN) continued to lead the field, again posting the highest heat total of the round. Nishi picked up the day’s only excellent ride in the QS event, an 8.00, to post a 14.75 two-wave heat total. Dylan Wilcoxen (INA) and Hiroto Arai (JPN) also picked up heat wins to advance into the Quarterfinals, with Olympian Reo Inaba (JPN), Taki Kanazawa (JPN), and Kaiki Yamanaka (JPN) completing the picture.
The men’s LQS Quarterfinals saw big numbers drop across each of the high-profile heats, with Filipino surfers taking the win in all. The impeccable technique of Rogelio Jr Esquievel (PHL) was rewarded the heaviest, with the World No. 8 posting a 17.50 heat total that included a near-perfect 9.00. The highlight of the round came from Edgar Calvo Jr. (PHL), however. The 21-year-old from remote Eastern Samar delivered an impassioned performance, earning an 8.25 and the heat win to secure his best result yet on the international stage.
“It’s been so challenging, but I’m so lucky that I could train in La Union and other places,” Calvo said. “Coming from Eastern Samar, sponsors are hard to find, but I keep going. My style comes from my heart, all the way. That’s it. That’s Taybo style.”
Calvo will next face 2025 Longboard Tour member Jomarie Ebueza (PHL) in the Semifinals, while Esquievel will face his younger brother, June Esquivel (PHL).
The 2025 Baler International Pro presented by Philippine Sports Commission is proudly supported by the Provincial Government of Baler, Aurora, Costa Pacifica and Senator Sonny Angara. Sponsored by PAGCOR, National Youth Commission, Kudosurf, Vissla, ASRAI, and SDMI Sports.
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