Elyu Cube Clash 2024

Crimson Arradaza delivered a commanding performance at Robinsons Place La Union, putting up an unmatched 6.93 winning average in the 3x3x3 Cube to set the pace across the entire weekend. The Elyu Cube Clash 2024, held on March 28, 2024, brought 50 competitors to the City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines for a packed schedule of speedcubing across seven distinct events. With ten total rounds contested, the competition demanded sharp focus from the outset, especially with several puzzles scheduled as high-stakes single-round battles.

The 3x3 results formed the centerpiece of the tournament, representing the only discipline featuring three progressive stages. Arradaza navigated the rounds with supreme consistency, dropping a best single solve of 6.23 on his way to top honors. Nikolai Harvey Sy Zipagan secured the second step on the podium with a 10.19 average, edging out Xavier De Vera, who finished closely behind in third place with a 10.20 mark. In a field containing all 50 entrants, the multi-round format rewarded steady hands across multiple solves.

Outside the traditional Rubik's Cube main event, the cut structure placed immense pressure on competitors facing sudden-death, single-round shootouts. The 2x2x2 Cube featured 37 competitors with only one round to make their mark. Arradaza seized victory once again, recording a winning average of 2.52 alongside a blazing single of 1.30. Juan Miguel Y. Magallanes took the runner-up position with an average of 2.69, while Yuji Yoshida rounded out the podium spots with a 3.08 average in the fast-paced contest.

Yoshida proved to be the most versatile speed cubing competitor of the meet, claiming two event victories and reaching the podium in five separate disciplines. In the 4x4x4 Cube, which ran as a single round for 30 competitors, Yoshida captured first place with an average of 35.92 and a best single of 32.88. Zipagan took second with 36.58, followed by Fergus Matthew Austria in third at 37.11. Yoshida also conquered the two-round Clock event, winning with a 7.09 average over Kyle Capiral's 8.17 and Angelo Siador's 9.53.

Away from the top steps, several competitors demonstrated remarkable progress at Elyu Cube Clash 2024. Jheroey Kanye Langato entered four events, posting his first ever attempt in Pyraminx at 12.34 to place 18th, an inaugural 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 1:49.08, and a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 3.36 that was 51.9 percent faster than before. Angelou Mhyca A. Gapuz took on seven events, recording a first ever attempt of 32.63 in Clock and 2:20.83 in Megaminx, while setting a Skewb personal best of 5.70, which improved by 33.7 percent for a 7th place finish. Jamel J. Galang tackled four events, completing his first Clock attempt at 13.13 and first 4x4x4 Cube attempt at 1:48.62 alongside a 14.5 percent 3x3x3 Cube personal best of 21.39. Joaquin Earth Flores Castillo registered a first attempt in 2x2x2 Cube with 17.10 and shaved 36.1 percent off his 3x3x3 Cube best with a 27.21 solve.

The surge of breakthroughs continued across every level of the standings at Elyu Cube Clash 2024. Kristoeph Lacsamana tackled three events, registering a first 4x4x4 Cube attempt of 2:22.34, taking 14th in Pyraminx with an improved 11.57 personal best, and cutting 29.6 percent off his 3x3x3 Cube record at 18.22. Viana Etania competed in three events, posting an initial Pyraminx solve of 11.86 to earn 12th place, while improving by 21.4 percent in 3x3x3 Cube with an 18.48 single and logging a 4.49 2x2x2 Cube best. Laurence Mark G. Colis took 7th in Megaminx with a 13.9 percent personal best of 1:26.04, entered five events, completed an initial Pyraminx mark of 9.10, and dropped his 2x2x2 Cube best to 4.87. Rayaj Acire M. Mahor entered four disciplines, taking 15th in Pyraminx with a first attempt of 9.25, improving his 3x3x3 Cube mark by 15.2 percent to 16.13, and logging a 6.16 in 2x2x2 Cube.

The single-round specialist puzzles delivered tight finishes right down to the final turns. In Megaminx, Nicole Jnus Macalalad was dominant among 12 entrants, winning with an average of 42.95 and a best single of 41.30, ahead of Crysky Ralph R. Sapitula with 1:02.51 and Yoshida with 1:04.44. The Pyraminx bracket saw Zipagan emerge on top of 21 competitors with a 3.35 average, holding off Ivan Keith Cariaga at 5.19 and Yoshida at 5.44. Cariaga found redemption in Skewb, winning the 15-person field with a 3.82 average ahead of Dylan Arteims N. Fernandez at 4.29 and Yoshida at 5.31.

All 21 podium places across the seven categories were claimed by competitors representing the host nation of the Philippines. The one-day WCA competition highlighted how different round structures shape results, pushing competitors to adapt from endurance formats to unforgiving direct finals. As the action wrapped up in the City of San Fernando, the Elyu Cube Clash 2024 proved to be a vibrant showcase of regional talent, setting a high standard of precision and poise for the season ahead.

50 na kalahok ang nagtipon sa City of San Fernando, La Union, Philippines noong March 28, 2024 upang magpaligsahan sa bilis at taktika. Habang ang ibang pormat tulad ng Fewest Moves ay nakasalalay sa tahimik na pagsusulat at masusing pagsusuri gamit ang papel at lapis, ang pangkalahatang bilis ng mga speed event sa Robinsons Place La Union ay nagpakita ng ibang uri ng husay kung saan bawat segundo ay mahalaga. Sa kabuuan ng pitong kategorya at sampung rounds, nasaksihan ang matitinding labanan sa bawat talahanayan.

Bumandera si Crimson Arradaza sa pangunahing 3x3x3 Cube matapos magtala ng winning average na 6.93 sa finals laban sa 50 competitors sa loob ng 3 rounds. Nakuha rin niya ang pinakamabilis na single sa kategorya na 6.23. Pumangalawa si Nikolai Harvey Sy Zipagan na may average na 10.19 habang pumangatlo naman si Xavier De Vera na nagrehistro ng 10.20 upang kumpletuhin ang podium para sa paboritong Rubik's Cube.

Hindi nagpaawat si Crimson Arradaza dahil nasungkit din niya ang unang puwesto sa 2x2x2 Cube kung saan nagtala siya ng winning average na 2.52 at best single na 1.30 sa harap ng 37 competitors. Sumunod sa kanya si Juan Miguel Y. Magallanes na nagtala ng 2.69 average at 1.75 single para sa ikalawang puwesto. Nakuha naman ni Yuji Yoshida ang ikatlong puwesto tangan ang 3.08 average at 2.17 single sa naturang laban.

Naging mabunga rin ang torneo para kay Yuji Yoshida matapos manguna sa dalawang magkahiwalay na event. Sa 4x4x4 Cube, pinangunahan niya ang 30 competitors gamit ang 35.92 average at 32.88 best single, kasunod sina Nikolai Harvey Sy Zipagan na may 36.58 at Fergus Matthew Austria na may 37.11. Nagwagi rin si Yoshida sa Clock sa pamamagitan ng 7.09 average at 5.82 single sa 2 rounds laban sa 15 kalahok, habang pumangalawa si Kyle Capiral sa 8.17 at pumangatlo si Angelo Siador sa 9.53.

Sa Megaminx, nangibabaw si Nicole Jnus Macalalad nang magtala ng winning average na 42.95 at pinakamabilis na single na 41.30 laban sa 12 competitors. Pumangalawa sa naturang laban si Crysky Ralph R. Sapitula na may 1:02.51 samantalang pumasok sa ikatlong puwesto si Yuji Yoshida sa bilis na 1:04.44. Sa Pyraminx, nakuha ni Nikolai Harvey Sy Zipagan ang ginto tangan ang 3.35 average at 2.28 single laban sa 21 kalahok, kasunod sina Ivan Keith Cariaga na may 5.19 at Yuji Yoshida na may 5.44. Naghari naman si Ivan Keith Cariaga sa Skewb sa pamamagitan ng 3.82 average at 3.39 single, dinaig sina Dylan Arteims N. Fernandez na may 4.29 at Yuji Yoshida na may 5.31.

Sa likod ng mga nagwagi sa podium, kapansin-pansin ang mga personal na tagumpay ng ilang kalahok sa speedcubing na nagpamalas ng malalaking pag-unlad. Si Cyrus Janiel Bernardez ay nagtala ng 10.25 sa 3x3x3 Cube na 35 porsyentong mas mabilis kaysa sa kanyang dating rekord at 6.81 sa Pyraminx. Si Arnelio Manaca Mola mula sa Mozambique ay sumabak sa 7 events at nagtala ng 6.19 sa Pyraminx na 34.6 porsyentong mas mabilis at 2.86 sa 2x2x2 Cube na 33.5 porsyentong mas mabilis, bukod sa 16.57 sa Clock. Si Jan Jeffrie G. Salloman ay sumabak sa unang pagkakataon sa Skewb na may 4.76 at pumang-lima, kasabay ng 11.28 sa 3x3x3 Cube na 13.8 porsyentong mas mabilis. Unang subok naman ni Ethan Z-Jon B. Potpotan sa Megaminx kung saan pumang-walo siya sa 1:30.28, bukod sa 9.23 sa 3x3x3 Cube na 11.2 porsyentong pagbuti.

Para sa iba pang kalahok, ang kaganapang ito ang nagsilbing unang WCA competition ng kanilang karera. Si John Vhinson D. Fontanos ay nagtala ng kanyang unang opisyal na resulta sa 2x2x2 Cube na 5.43, Pyraminx na 16.55, at 3x3x3 Cube na 23.91. Si Odrei John Patajo ay sumabak sa 4 events at nakuha ang ika-limang puwesto sa Clock sa unang subok na 8.97, kasama ang 10.26 sa Pyraminx at 5.17 sa 2x2x2 Cube. Unang beses ding sumabak si Kyle Angelo Directo Ragudo na nagtala ng 22.57 sa Pyraminx at 18.99 sa 3x3x3 Cube, habang si M-Jae N. Villar ay nagpakitang-gilas sa kanyang unang subok sa 2x2x2 Cube sa bilis na 6.14 at 3x3x3 Cube sa 13.17.

Ang lahat ng 21 podium places sa torneo ay matagumpay na nakuha ng mga kinatawan mula sa Pilipinas, patunay sa galing ng mga lokal na atleta sa bawat puzzle. Naging matagumpay ang pagtatapos ng Elyu Cube Clash 2024 sa pagpapakita ng dedikasyon at kahusayan ng bawat manlalaro sa buong maghapon. Ang ganitong cubing competition sa taong 2024 ay nag-iwan ng magagandang marka para sa mga beterano at baguhan patungo sa mga susunod pang kaganapan.