Wong, Magallanes makes mark in Malaysia Speed Cube tilt

By Edwin Rollon

Filipino speedcubers Brenton Angelo Lo Wong and Juan Miguel “Uno” Magallanes emerged among the region’s top performers, scoring podium finishes in the recently concluded Malaysia National Speed Cubing Championship at Sunway Velocity in Kuala Lumpur.

Wong, 20, and Magallanes, 12, delivered convincing performances in their respective events, underscoring the Philippines’ growing presence in the increasingly competitive speedcubing scene in Asia.

Wong, a junior Business Marketing student at Ateneo de Manila University, took the silver medal in the 3x3 main event after clocking 5.634 seconds.

The result added to Wong’s credentials as one of the country’s leading speedcubers. He captured his second Philippine National Speed Cubing title last July.

“It was a tough competition with more than 100 players from around the region,” said Wong, who competes under MnM Cube Shop. “I’m very thankful for God’s guidance and for the support of my parents and sponsors.”

Magallanes, meanwhile, lived up to his nickname “Uno,” ruling the 2x2 event with a winning time of 1.06 seconds and an average of 1.47 seconds.

The young Filipino also placed second in the 3x3 event, posting a 4.48-second single and a 6.45-second average, and finished runner-up in the 3x3 One-Handed event.

Magallanes said his progress in the sport has been a product of consistent practice and a willingness to learn.

“When I started cubing almost three years ago, I was just happy getting sub-20 in 3x3 and sub-5 in 2x2,” he said.

“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.”

Stellar Cube backs Magallanes.

Wong and Magallanes also joined forces with Malaysian speedcuber Tee Kai Yang to win the team relay championship for Team BTJ.

For Wong, the Malaysian campaign was more than a medal chase. He hopes their performance will encourage more young Filipinos to pursue mind sports and compete on the international stage.

“After this campaign with Uno, I hope we continue to inspire young Filipino athletes,” Wong said. “Under the leadership of the newly formed National League of Mind Sports in the Philippines, I firmly believe we can produce many more talents competing abroad.”

Wong also plans to conduct seminars, clinics, and Super Intensive Training sessions for young speedcubers in Manila and nearby provinces with the support of MnM Cube Shop.

The Filipino speedcubers are also setting their sights on a bigger stage next year, with the inaugural Asian Speed Cubing Championships expected to offer a US$100,000 prize purse under the auspices of the Olympic Council of Asia.

Wong hopes the Philippines will send a larger contingent to the continental competition.

“Hopefully, more Filipino speedcubers can make it and represent the country,” he said.