Third Makati Speedcubing Open draws 70 competitors

Competitive cubing returned to the heart of Metro Manila once more, amassing a total of 70 cubers from across six regions (Canada, Chinese Taipei, India, Singapore, and Philippines) as they gathered at SM Makati, Makati City, for the Makati Speedcubing Open III 2025, July 6.

The full-day event introduced seven categories, namely 3x3x3 cube, 2x2x2 cube, 5x5x5 cube, 7x7x7 cube, 3x3x3 one-handed, pyraminx, and Skewb. 

In addition to the main competition, the event also included grassroots development efforts, such as speedcubing tutorials aimed at encouraging newcomers and rookies to pursue and join the community.

Crimson Arradaza topped the classic 3x3x3 event as he emerged victorious after a three-round scuffle with an average of 6.04 seconds and a best single solve of 5.21 seconds.

Javier Ignacio secured second place with a 7.92-second average and a best single solve of 5.21 seconds—an improvement over his performance at Makati Speedcubing Open II earlier this year, where he posted an 8.20 average and 7.71 best.

Meanwhile, Singaporean entrant Daryl Tan Hong An closely trailed behind with a best of 6.53 seconds and a 7.99-second average. 

Failing to go higher on the podium with an average of 2.32 and a best of 1.96 in the same competition last April, Juan Miguel Magallanes made sure to never go back as he secured first place with an Average-Best of 2.11 and 1.58 seconds.

Bearwin Jairus Jovellanos Cruza and Tan Hong An clocked with Average-Best times of 2.56-2.36 seconds and 2.76-2.23 seconds, respectively. 

Singaporean speedcuber Tan Hong An maintained strong form in the 5x5x5 Cube category, claiming first place with a 52.88-second average and a best single-solve of 46.75 seconds.

World Cubing Association delegate Yuji Yoshida secured the top spot with a 1:03.00 average and a best of 55.61 seconds. Close behind, Jhon Leinard Agcaoili followed with a 1:03.26 average and an identical best of 55.61 seconds.

Still coming hot from the previous category, Tan Hong An rode his momentum in the 7x7x7 Cube event, posting an Average-Best of 2:34.61 minutes and 2:28.37 minutes.

On the other hand, Louie Jay Quibote struck second place with a 2:37.60 average and 2:28.95 best alongside Niño Reyes’ 3:01.02 average and 2:57.48 best.

Arradaza got his groove back in the 3x3x3 one-handed, claiming the top of the leaderboards with a dominant Average-Best of 8.91 seconds and 7.05 seconds.

Nonetheless, Tan Hong An proved his mettle once more with a second-place-worthy time of a 12.76-second average and an 11.39-second best. Alexander Alejandro sought third with an average of 12.90 and best of 11.30.

Gabriel Subion copped the Pyraminx event with an average of 3.68 seconds, followed by a best of 2.96 seconds. Tan Hong An followed with an Average-Best of 4.11 seconds and 3.65 seconds.

Angelito strikes for bronze with a personal best in his average and best with 5.02 seconds and 2.80 seconds, a better outcome than his 2024 run (9.10 and 6.33, respectively) in the same event.

Ignacio capped off the final event with an average of 4.05 seconds and a best of 2.49. Coming in second was Yoshida with a 4.05 average and a best of 3.91, while Jhazmine Lacsamana narrowly clinched third with a 4.65-second average and a 3.23 second best.

World Cube Association (WCA) delegates Quibote and Yoshida, alongside organizer Reyes, facilitated the event. 

The Makati Speedcubing Open III 2025—a WCA-sanctioned competition—is the third edition of the Makati series after a successful April installment earlier this year.

Next up to the local cubing calendar is the Cavite Speedcubing Open XI 2025—to be held on July 12-13 at Robinsons, Dasmarinas City.