Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024

The competition hall at Ateneo de Manila University buzzed with focused energy as competitors took their stations for a day of high-stakes solving. Across the busy tables, timers reset and puzzle pieces clicked into place, creating an intense rhythm that defined the setting in Quezon City, Philippines. The single-day tournament on March 2, 2024 brought together a packed room of solvers eager to test their speed against the clock. The collegiate venue gave the gathering a classic tournament feel, framed by rigorous preparation and head-to-head pressure.

A total of 71 competitors gathered for Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024, taking on five distinct disciplines across eight rounds of action. Solvers navigated an array of challenges ranging from the rapid turns of smaller puzzles to the layered complexity of twelve-sided events. The host country swept every top spot on offer, with Philippine solvers earning all 15 available podium places across the board. Every round added to the momentum inside the hall as contenders pushed for decisive margins and personal milestones.

The premier 3x3x3 Cube event drew all 71 entrants through three rigorous stages of elimination to crown a champion. Sean Patrick Villanueva claimed victory with a winning average of 5.96 seconds, delivering the fastest single time of the tournament at 5.33 seconds to secure top honours. Brenton Angelo Lo Wong followed in second place with an average of 7.36 seconds, while Inigo Miguel B. Palisoc earned third with an 8.36 average. These standout 3x3 results capped a fiercely contested main event that kept the venue captivated through the final turns.

Brenton Angelo Lo Wong delivered a historic performance in the 2x2x2 Cube event, establishing a national record average of 1.76 seconds to take first place out of 50 competitors. His effort featured a best single solve of 1.50 seconds. Isaiah Benedict S. Feria took second place on the podium with an average of 2.34 seconds and a best single of 1.88 seconds, while Inigo Miguel B. Palisoc secured third with a 2.70 average and a 1.57 single. The fast-paced final saw multiple competitors log top-tier marks in one of the quickest events on the schedule.

Beyond the podium battles, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across the schedule at Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024. Kjeldahl Harvey Pesebre produced a standout Pyraminx personal best of 5.46 seconds, cutting his previous mark by 57.6 percent while placing 25th in the 2x2x2 Cube. Noah So-Tiong entered five events, logging a first ever attempt at Megaminx with a time of 2:35.10, cutting his Pyraminx personal best by 49 percent to 6.57 seconds, and improving his 5x5x5 Cube mark to 2:55.14. Gian Raphael T. Sy tackled three events, making a first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube with 5.86 seconds, a first ever attempt at Pyraminx in 13.35 seconds, and dropping his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 44.2 percent to 14.78 seconds. Andrew Jacob V. Buensalido lowered his 2x2x2 Cube best by 40.3 percent to 3.77 seconds and cut 25.4 percent off his 5x5x5 Cube time to finish in 2:25.64.

The progress continued across all experience levels throughout the competition hall. Zion Wyatt Rentillo Catalan contested three events and dropped his 2x2x2 Cube best by 35.9 percent to 4.30 seconds, alongside personal bests of 23.27 seconds in the 3x3x3 Cube and 10.90 seconds in Pyraminx. Zhou Zi Kai (周子凱) took on five events, registering a first ever attempt at Megaminx with 2:43.07, a first ever attempt at 5x5x5 Cube in 2:07.24, and improving his 3x3x3 Cube best by 29.6 percent to 9.33 seconds. David Martinez dropped his 3x3x3 Cube personal best by 28.7 percent to 7.77 seconds and his 2x2x2 Cube time to 4.02 seconds. Chloe Tiongson completed her first ever attempt at 2x2x2 Cube in 7.17 seconds and improved her 3x3x3 Cube mark by 19.1 percent to 12.86 seconds.

Big cubes and geometric challenges highlighted the technical breadth of the gathering. In the 5x5x5 Cube, Inigo Miguel B. Palisoc won with an average of 48.61 seconds and a top single of 38.82 seconds, besting Brenton Angelo Lo Wong with 55.91 seconds and Dale Palmares with 57.98 seconds. The Megaminx event saw Nicole Jnus Macalalad take first place across two rounds with a 40.21 winning average and a 34.55 single, finishing ahead of Enika Aubrey Maninang with 47.65 seconds and Lo Wong with 51.36 seconds. Craig Luke Jimeno won the Pyraminx with a 3.17 average and a 2.01 single, followed by Feria at 3.38 seconds and Nikolai Harvey Sy Zipagan at 3.95 seconds.

The day concluded as timers were packed away and final standings entered into the books for Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024. Solvers celebrated a full slate of Rubik's Cube variations that tested raw speed, efficiency, and mental endurance. For everyone who competed at Ateneo de Manila University, the speed cubing showcase delivered memorable performances, national benchmarks, and significant personal milestones to remember from Quezon City.

This successful WCA competition highlighted the growing depth of the speedcubing community in 2024. Competitors walked away from Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024 having tested their abilities against top regional talent in a spirited atmosphere. As the local cubing competition circuit continues its calendar, the standard set at this Katipunan gathering will serve as a sharp benchmark for upcoming tournaments.

Nagtala si Sean Patrick Villanueva ng pambihirang 5.96 average sa 3x3x3 Cube upang pangunahan ang Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024 sa Ateneo de Manila University sa Quezon City, Philippines. Sa harap ng 71 kalahok noong March 2, 2024, ipinamalas ng torneo ang matinding tensyon sa bawat solve kung saan ang bawat segundo ay mahalaga at walang puwang para sa kahit isang pagkakamali sa bawat round.

Sa pambihirang bilis ng kompetisyon sa 2x2x2 Cube, bumasag ng national record average si Brenton Angelo Lo Wong matapos magtala ng 1.76 average kasama ang pinakamabilis na single na 1.50. Sumunod sa kaniya si Isaiah Benedict S. Feria na nagtala ng 2.34 average at si Inigo Miguel B. Palisoc na nagsumite ng 2.70 average sa 50 competitors na sumabak sa naturang event.

Nasungkit naman ni Inigo Miguel B. Palisoc ang unang pwesto sa 5x5x5 Cube matapos magrehistro ng 48.61 average at pinakamahusay na single na 38.82 sa 30 kalahok. Pumangalawa si Brenton Angelo Lo Wong na may 55.91 average habang pumangatlo si Dale Palmares sa kaniyang 57.98 average sa iisang round ng malaking Rubik's Cube na sumubok sa tibay at konsentrasyon ng bawat speedcubing competitor.

Sa Megaminx na umabot sa dalawang rounds kasama ang 22 kalahok, nagwagi si Nicole Jnus Macalalad tangan ang 40.21 average at single na 34.55. Pumangalawa si Enika Aubrey Maninang sa kaniyang 47.65 average habang nakuha muli ni Brenton Angelo Lo Wong ang ikatlong pwesto sa talaang 51.36 average sa Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024.

Naging kapana-panabik din ang Pyraminx kung saan naghari si Craig Luke Jimeno na may 3.17 average at 2.01 single sa 28 competitors. Nakuha ni Isaiah Benedict S. Feria ang ikalawang pwesto sa 3.38 average samantalang si Nikolai Harvey Sy Zipagan ang pumangatlo matapos magtala ng 3.95 average sa masikip na labanan.

Sa likod ng mga opisyal na podium, maraming speedcubers ang nagpakita ng malalaking pag-unlad sa kanilang mga personal best. Pinatunayan ito ni Smrz Dancel na nagtala ng 1:14.53 sa Megaminx na 23% na mas mabilis kaysa sa kaniyang dating 1:36.75, kasabay ng 1:04.21 sa 5x5x5 Cube na 17.3% na pagbuti upang makuha ang ika-8 pwesto sa 3 events. Nagtala naman si Joakim Hendrich Victorino ng 1:36.80 sa 5x5x5 Cube na 21% na mas mabilis at 9.34 sa 3x3x3 Cube, habang si Victor Andrew Antonio ay nagtala ng 2:53.23 sa kaniyang unang pagsubok sa 5x5x5 Cube at ika-7 pwesto sa 2x2x2 Cube. Hindi rin nagpahuli si Jak Concepcion na sumubok sa unang pagkakataon sa Megaminx sa bilis na 1:46.85 sa kaniyang 3 events.

Para sa mga bagong mukha sa kanilang pinakaunang WCA competition, naging makabuluhan ang Cubing Battle of Katipunan 2024 sa kanilang karera. Sumabak si Benedict Secillano Gicanal sa 3 events at nagtala ng 10.37 sa 3x3x3 Cube, 6.70 sa Pyraminx, at 4.61 sa 2x2x2 Cube. Ganoon din si Juan Miguel C. Manalo na sumabak sa 4 events kabilang ang 4.11 sa Pyraminx, 17.79 sa 3x3x3 Cube, at 1:42.33 sa Megaminx. Nagsimula rin si Jacob Angelo V. Medrano sa 3 events na may 20.15 sa 3x3x3 Cube at 6.47 sa 2x2x2 Cube, habang si Deity Uziel V. Polintan ay nagrehistro ng 24.18 sa 3x3x3 Cube, 11.87 sa Pyraminx, at 7.38 sa 2x2x2 Cube.

Sa pangunahing 3x3x3 Cube event na umabot sa tatlong rounds, pinatunayan ni Sean Patrick Villanueva ang kaniyang galing matapos dominahin ang finals sa 5.96 average at 5.33 single. Kasama niya sa podium sina Brenton Angelo Lo Wong na pumangalawa sa 7.36 average at Inigo Miguel B. Palisoc na pumangatlo sa 8.36 average.

Nagtapos ang buong cubing competition na may kabuuang 15 podium finishes para sa mga pambato ng Pilipinas sa 8 rounds ng aksyon. Ipinakita ng edisyong ito noong 2024 ang patuloy na pagtaas ng antas ng bilis at husay ng mga kalahok sa bawat puzzle sa bansa.