Triple Threat Takes the Crown

A new trio of virtual racers will fly the Philippine flag at the Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) Asia Finals this November. After a weekend of wheel-to-wheel duels at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, rookie driver Victor Ancheta emerged as the overall champion of the TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship 2025, ahead of Enzo Ison and Matthew Ang. The three now make up Team Philippines for the Asia Finals in Thailand on November 23.

The October 12 national finals capped a season that drew more than 20,000 spectators across the weekend. Fans gathered to watch the country’s top sim racers battle through multiple elimination rounds, with pride and a spot on the national team on the line.

Ancheta’s rise was the story everyone talked about. Competing in his first TGR eSports season, he fought his way through a 250-driver field and advanced from quarterfinals to finals with steady pace. “I feel happy that I won the championship, and I feel honored to represent the Philippines,” he said. “I’m looking forward to racing Asia’s fastest drivers.”

Ison, last year’s runner-up, once again showed consistency. He topped the qualifying sessions and kept pressure on the leaders in every race to secure second overall. “It feels great to be back on the podium and to have another chance to represent the country,” he shared.

Ang rounded out the top three after another strong campaign. Despite missing the title, he took the result in stride. “I felt disappointed since I genuinely thought I could win this year,” he said, “but I’m grateful for another opportunity at the Asia Finals.”

The road to the finals tested every racer’s skill. The top 40 qualifiers faced three quarterfinal heats using the GR Yaris High Performance ’20 at Dragon Trail Gardens, followed by a tougher semifinal round at Mount Panorama, Red Bull Ring, and Daytona. A Wild Card Round even brought back past champions Luis Moreno and Russel Reyes, giving hopefuls one last shot at a final slot.

The National Finals then raised the bar with three races using different cars and tracks. Drivers opened with the Toyota Supra Racing Concept ’18 at Kyoto, went off-road in the GR Yaris at Colorado Springs, and finished in the GR010 Hybrid at Spa under changing weather. Ancheta sealed the crown with 72 points, followed by Ison with 67.5 and Ang with 61.5.

Special awards closed the night: Ancheta won Crowd Favorite, Ison received Smooth Operator, Ang earned Pole Position, and Miole took Best Overtake. The championship was sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and supported by partners and sponsors.

For Ancheta, Ison, and Ang, the journey now shifts to the Asia Finals in Thailand, where they’ll face the region’s top drivers in pursuit of international glory.