By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Filipinos have a bright future in speedcubing, a sport of solving twisty puzzles like the Rubik’s Cube as fast as possible.
Juan Miguel “Uno” Magallanes and Brenton Angelo Lo Wong made the country proud by winning medals at the Malaysia National Speed Cubing Open held at Sunway Velocity Mall in Kuala Lumpur on Aug. 15.
The 12-year-old Magallanes topped the 2×2 (1.06s best/ 1.47s average) and placed second in 3×3 (4.48s best/6.45s average) and 3x3x3 One-Handed (11.06s best/12.26s average).
He also won the relay gold medal as a member of Team BTJ, along with Brenton Angelo Lo Wong and Malaysian Tee Kai Yang.
“When I started cubing almost three years ago, I was just happy getting sub-20 in 3×3 and sub-5 in 2×2,” Stellar Cube-sponsored Magallanes said in a news release Thursday.
“One of the biggest lessons cubing has taught me is that you don’t always realize how far you’ve come until you stop and look back at where you started. What once felt impossible can slowly become reality when you keep practicing, keep learning, and, most importantly, keep showing up.”
Aside from the relay gold medal, Wong finished third in 3×3 (5.36s best/5.54s average).
“I’m very thankful for God’s guidance and for the support of my parents and sponsors,” said the 20-year-old Wong, a junior marketing student from Ateneo de Manila University.
The two-time national speed cubing champion said he hopes the medals they won in Malaysia would inspire the youth to join mind games and compete abroad.
“Under the newly formed National League of Mind Sports in the Philippines, I firmly believe that we can produce more players,” said Wong, who, together with MnM Cube Shop, will continue holding seminars in Manila and the provinces.
The Filipinos are setting their sights on the inaugural Asian Speed Cubing Championships next year. (PNA)
