Already out of the running for the overall title, O’Hara, 24, registered the fastest lap time of a minute and 27.496 seconds, besting overall leader Mikola’s 1:27.511 and Sy’s 1:27.685 to start today’s 11th and penultimate round on top of the starting grid.
Bannering Speedtech Asia, Sy, the 18-year-old teenage phenom who topped the ninth and 10th races in the Sentul, Indonesia leg last month, was actually at No. 4 behind third place James Winslow of Shell Helix Kinetic PCSO with 1:27.669 after encountering tire problems.
The qualifying results, however, proved most beneficial to Mikola, winner of five laps including two in RP last March going into this race, as he accomplished what he initially set out to do in this event sponsored by Addict Mobile, PLDT myDSL, Boysen Paints, Yokohama Tires and Lima Hotel.
"Not bad at second," said Mikola, who needs just a second place finish in one of the two races today to clinch the overall crown. "But I want to win, I want a better victory than an easy one."
Mikola currently leads everyone with 127 points, way ahead of Sy’s 101 points and Winslow’s100.
Today’s last two rounds will be aired live on Studio 23 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and from 2:30-4 p.m.
Despite finishing fourth in the qualifying race, Sy isn‘t about to give up.
"There’s no pressure for me, we’ll see what happens tomorrow (today)," said Sy, who was pushing too hard in the first few laps that led to his tires going off.
Winslow, for his part, said his main objective is just to beat Sy.
"Realistically, it will be hard to beat Ananda for the overall championship," said Winslow. "I’ll just watch out for Tyson and see if I could beat him for second place."
In the promotions class, newcomers Emmet Queenan also of Ireland and Jonathan Legris of Great Britain stole the limelight from runaway winner Moreno Soeprapto of Indonesia by figuring in the top three in the qualifier.
Queenan, Sy’s teammate at Speedtech Asia, stunned Soeprapto, 23, for pole position while Legris, also racing for the first time in this circuit like Queenan, finished at strong third.
But the biggest story was Legris, who just recovered from lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph just recently.
"Racing here is already triumph in itself," said Legris, whose Filipina mother Irene Cazinares hails from Pangasinan.
"Finishing third on my birthday makes me happier," added the Fil-Brit, who turned 18 yesterday.