The 3rd edition of MUSPO 100 in Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines, saw an absolutely dominant performance by new T8 recruit John Ray Onifa, who opened his 2023 ATM account with his 6th career race victory in our series. His winning time was 11h46. So far, Onifa has never had a focus on winning the championship, but that may change this season. His victory last weekend in was a reminder how strong he can be, leading from start to finish and never looking back. Local star Yoyong Sacayle, himself in good form over the past months, understood the realities and settled for his own pace, which was in itself fast enough for a rather comfortable second place. For Sacayle it was already his third podium this year after Santa Ines in Luzon and Cuc Phuong in Vietnam. Several other Filipinos delivered solid performances at MUSPO. Roberto Cain stepped up to score a third place on the podium. Behind him, Simeon Mesias and Bernie Bauyot took four and five, ahead of fresh Grandmaster Sean Aying, who may still have felt Mantra 116 in his legs. Nevertheless, Aying now tops the overall ATM championship ranking with his fourth Top 10 of the season. His objective will now be to eliminate his rank 10 from Sierra Madre, by doing a better result in his fifth ATM race later this year. His points total of 1435 is also important for the other Filipinos aiming to get into the national country team for the ATM Finals, especially those not planning to complete four races.

The women’s 100km developed into a competition between pre-race favourite Julie Ann Morales and Mary Joy Sumanda. Both ran together most of the day and decided to wait until the last kilometers to determine the outcome. Morales, fifth in last year’s ATM Final as a newbie, turned out to have the fastest dash to the line and took her second ATM race win after The Punisher a year ago. The duo completed the distance just under 20 hours. A bit later, Shekina Velasquez completed the podium ahead of the returning Manilyn Mamugay and Metzi Joy Alson. For Sumanda and Velasquez, the great results add to their points totals this season in what promises to become a tight competition for the five spots in Team Pilipinas for the ATM Finals.

Onifa dominates MUSPO 100, Morales sprints to win