Enzo Ison, Russel Reyes and Michael Velasquez to symbolize Philippines in
2026 TGR Asia Esports GT Championship
Enzo Ison, Russel Reyes and Michael Velasquez shall be representing the Philippines on the 2026 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Asia Esports GT Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, after rising above the sector on the Nationwide Finals of the 2026 TGR Philippines Esports GT Championship.
The Nationwide Finals, held final Sept. 27 on the SMX Conference Middle in Pasay Metropolis, introduced collectively the highest 10 Sporting Class and high 10 Junior Class gamers, chosen from greater than 400 sim racers who joined the qualifiers. The finalists competed in opposition to one another in Gran Turismo, the place they went head-to-head in numerous automobiles and tracks over 4 races.
Beneath are the rostrum finishers of the Nationwide Finals:
| Junior Class | ||
| Champion | Enzo Ison | 130.5 Factors |
| 2nd Place | Chester Jordan Ilog | 85 Factors |
| 3rd Place | Luth Ifamy | 76.5 Factors |
| Sporting Class | ||
| Champion | Russel Reyes | 130.5 Factors |
| 2nd Place | Michael Velasquez | 93.5 Factors |
| 3rd Place | Luis Antonio Moreno | 84 Factors |
Rivals in each classes navigated 4 grueling rounds, taking the wheel of distinct Toyota autos throughout numerous tracks: maneuvering the GR Corolla round the actual world Autódromo de Interlagos in Brazil, powering the GR Yaris by way of the fictional dust observe Sardegna Windmills, steering the GR Supra throughout the technical Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain, and pushing the GR010 Hybrid to its limits on the difficult Nürburgring in Germany. Drivers confronted unpredictable climate circumstances within the third and fourth races, remodeling the ultimate legs into intense trials of grit and automobile mastery.
Within the Junior Class, Enzo Ison placed on a dominant show all through all 4 rounds. Ison secured pole place at Interlagos in Race 1, the place he commanded the lead all the best way to the checkered flag. Navigating the reverse grid from fifth place at Sardegna Windmills in Race 2, he climbed to P2 by the fourth lap earlier than prevailing in an exhilarating three-car battle in opposition to Samuel Rey Icalia and Chester Jordan Ilog for the victory. Throughout a heated leg in Barcelona, Ison maintained composure amidst observe spins, main each lap to safe a convincing 17-second triumph. Going through adversity on the Nürburgring after a miscalculated flip relegated him to P8 whereas Ilog opened a 10-second benefit. Ison launched a fierce comeback, reclaiming the highest place in lap 4 to win by 54 seconds.
In the meantime, the Sporting Class motion delivered an exhilarating showdown between Russel Reyes and Luis Antonio Moreno. Reyes thwarted Moreno’s dramatic final-corner strike at Interlagos, adopted by one other masterclass in defensive driving within the closing lap in Barcelona. In Race 2 at Sardegna Windmills, Michael Velasquez capitalized on the reverse grid matrix to carry the entrance place from the opening lap, whereas Reyes carved his approach from P5 to P2 however fell wanting overtaking. Within the closing leg on the Nürburgring, Victor Ancheta surged forward late in lap one and constructed a 10-second cushion by way of an prolonged pit technique, just for a penalty to demote him to P6, permitting Reyes to regain management and cross the road 17 seconds away from the sector.
“It was inspiring to see our finalists push themselves lap after lap on the Nationwide Finals. The keenness round sim racing within the nation retains rising, and it exhibits what number of Filipinos share the fun and pleasure of motorsports,” shared TMP Senior Vice President for Advertising and marketing Division Sherwin Chua-Lim.
Ison and Reyes every acquired a money prize of P100,000 and a slot within the Asia Finals because the champions of their respective courses. Because the runner-up with the upper variety of factors, Velasquez from the Sporting Class secured his spot because the third consultant in Group Philippines and acquired a P75,000 money prize.
“To Enzo, Russel, and Michael, we want you the very best of luck as you carry the Philippine flag in Bangkok. We’re behind you as you go on the market and push the boundaries for higher,” Chua-Lim added.
Requested about how they really feel about successful the Nationwide Finals and representing the Asia Finals, Ison, 16, shared, “I really feel actually nice and grateful for successful within the Junior Class and having the prospect to symbolize the nation for the third time. The preparations that we made for this have definitely paid off as soon as once more. This yr, we’ll prepare more durable than ever to get the very best outcomes for the Asia Finals.”
Ison beforehand represented the Philippines within the Asia Finals in 2024 and 2025. He completed second total within the Philippine Nationwide Finals in 2025 and 2024 and was the Junior Class champion in 2023 and 2022. He additionally at present races within the Tamaraw Class of the TGR Philippine Cup beneath the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Group.
“I really feel actually nice about successful the Sporting Class this yr. I felt like I had improved from how I used to be after I beforehand joined. Being gone for a yr gave me an opportunity to reset and rethink how I race. I feel this performed an enormous position in securing the win. I’m additionally honored to be one of many drivers to symbolize the Philippines within the Asia Regional finals. I really feel very snug and ready to race in opposition to different nations, after studying from my many errors from the previous. I can really feel that I’m a stronger sim racer than ever,” shared Reyes, 25.
Reyes, one other Asia Finals veteran, represented the Philippines in 2024, 2023 and 2022. He positioned third total within the Philippine Nationwide Finals in 2024, was the general champion in 2023, and the Sporting Class runner-up in 2022.
In the meantime, first-time Asia Finals participant Velasquez shared, “It’s an honor to symbolize Group Philippines after ending P2 in Sporting Class and the third most total factors within the TGR Philippines GT Esports Championship 2026. I’m actually ecstatic to work collectively alongside Russel and Enzo and I look ahead to us studying from one another and rising as a group.”
Ison, Reyes and Michael will face sim racers from throughout the area on the TGR Asia Esports GT Championships in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 14-15.
Filipino motorsports followers can present their assist for Group Philippines as they tackle the area’s high sim racers by watching the Asia Finals livestream on the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines Facebook Page.
For extra info on the TGR Philippines Esports GT Championship and different TGR Philippines merchandise and occasions, observe TGR Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.
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