The pretty 32-year-old pride of Lipa City, on top of her favorite mound Globe Platinum Maktub, edged Hong Kong’s Charlotte Morse in a jump-off to win her second title in the series that earned for her the right to represent the region in the World Cup Finals scheduled next year in Kuala Lumpur.

Leviste, on whose shoulder lies the Philippines’ campaign in next week’s Southeast Asian Games, cleared all the obstacles in the extra one-round lap at the 1.40-meter course.

She and Morse actually rode perfectly in the two-spin regular round that set the stage for the jump-off, but the Hong Kong bet, failed to sustain her brilliance and was penalized with four faults in the extra run.

The win gave Leviste a total 57 points in the race for the overall championship as she nosed out top-favorite and erstwhile leader Qabil Ambak of Malaysia, the long-time showjumping kingpin of his country.

"Magandang panalo, especially with a week before the SEA Games. Ibang klase kasi ang SEA Games, kasi inaabangan ka talaga ng mga kababayan natin. Not like here, which although more prestigious dahil World Cup slot ang pinaglalabanan, hindi masyadong popular dito sa atin," the daughter of former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste said after her triumphant ride.

Two other Filipino riders – Jones Lanza and youthful Joker Arroyo – took part in the World Cup class but their results were not immediately available at press time.

Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the fourth rider in the RP line-up, did not aspire for the World Cup seat as she had been busy all year in preparing the groundwork for the equestrian competition of the SEA Games being the Philippine Equestrian Association secretary general.

Leviste said her triumph augurs well in her World Cup campaign.

"For the first time in the World Cup history, it will be held in Asia, so significant din ang panalo ko ngayon sa bid for the world championship," she said.

Leviste attributed her strong showing in the seven-leg series to her year-long campaign in the European Circuit.