Maui’s Ian Gentil sails across the sky as he competes during the semifinals of the Surf City El Salvador Pro on Friday at Punta Roca in La Libertad, El Salvador.

Gentil posted a solid two-wave score of 14.87 — including an 8.60 — but it wasn’t enough against Filipe Toledo.

The reigning World Surf League champion from Brazil scored 16.67 to advance to the final, where he defeated California’s Griffin Colapinto 17.33-12.10.

Gentil’s equal-third finish was the best yet of his career, and the Championship Tour rookie rose to 20th in the CT standings with three events remaining.

SECOND PHOTO: Gentil is shown in action during Friday’s semifinals. Gentil was one of two Hawaii surfers competing on finals day. The other was Oahu’s Carissa Moore — the five-time world champion bowed out in the women’s semifinals, falling to eventual winner Caroline Marks of Florida.

World Surf League / AARON HUGHES photos