Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #23

2025.01.27Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Entries

9/467

Total Chips

14,010,000

Average

1,556,667

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 1:10:32 PM

Jon Kyte Leads Final 9 Players Of The Main Event

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Jon Kyte

After nine levels of play, Day 2 of the Manila Megastack 21 Main Event wrapped up with the Final 9 players locked in. Throughout the day, numerous contenders tugged at the top spot. In the end, it was Norway's Jon Kyte who earned the title with a stack of 3,215,000 (80 bb). One of Kyte's final hands was the elimination of Mike Takayama in 12th place.

Hot on Kyte's heels was one of six locals in the lineup, Kim Enriquez with 3,025,000 (75 bb). Enriquez earned a large portion of his stack when his straight crushed Dong Woo Lee's set. Another notable Filipino finding a bag was multi-decorated PokerStars champion Florencio Campomanes. Campomanes sealed his spot by delivering the final able bubble, eliminating Marco Espela in 10th place.

The finalists have now secured a payout of PHP 365,000 (~$6,280). The biggest slice of PHP 3,900,000 (~$67,090) is up for grabs when action resumes at 1pm on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Main Event - Final 9 players

Final Table

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,265,000(57 BB)	30	1
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	410,000(10 BB)	30	2
JK Jon KyteNorway	3,215,000(80 BB)	30	3
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	615,000(15 BB)	30	4
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	465,000(12 BB)	30	5
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,625,000(66 BB)	30	6
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	675,000(17 BB)	30	7
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	755,000(19 BB)	30	8
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	3,025,000(76 BB)	30	9

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$67,090
2	$41,890
3	$29,950
4	$23,035
5	$17,720
6	$13,625
7	$10,475
8	$8,070
9	$6,280

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 12:16:35 PM

Marco Espela Bubbles The Final Table In 10th Place - PHP 304,000 /~$5,230

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

Marco Espela - 10th Place

Marco Espela's bid for a final table seat fell short in 10th place. Facing a raise from Florencio Campomanes, Espela three-bet all in 225,000 and Campomanes called. Espela was behind but had live cards. A little hope on the flop with top pair quickly vanished on the turn and river flush for Campomanes.

Player	Hand	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	A♥7♥ CO	615,000(15 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	K♣Q♠ D	busted

Board:6♠K♥6♣5♥Q♥

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 10/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 12:13:07 PM

Graham Cowan vs Alexis Lim

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Graham Cowan

Graham Cowan raises 80,000 and is unfazed by Alexis Lim's 190,000 re-raise. At the flop 3♥ 8♠ 9♥ , Lim checks. Cowan test bets 100,000, Lim gives up his hand.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,500,000(83 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,230,000(74 BB)

Player	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,485,000(83 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,250,000(75 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 12:08:10 PM

Lucky Catch For Ju Won Chung

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Ju Won Chung

Short stacked Ju Won Chung moves all in for his last 10 bb and is called by John Carlo Sayo. Sayo dominates until the river pairs up Chung's kicker card to get saved from elimination.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	K♠J♥ CO	660,000(22 BB)
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	A♥K♥ SB	410,000(14 BB)

Board:6♦T♥2♥6♣J♦

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 12:06:18 PM

Dmitrii Belikov Finishes In 11th Place - PHP 304,000 /~$5,230

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Dmitrii Belikov - 11th Place

Following the loss against Graham Cowan, Russian player Dmitrii Belikov picks up a couple of small pots but on the next, he goes down in 11th place. Hand opens with Alexis Lim raising 65,000, Belikov shoves 625,000 (20 bb), Lim is ahead with no change at the runout. Belikov finishes in 11th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	A♦K♥ CO	2,485,000(83 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	Q♥T♥ SB	busted

Board:4♠7♣K♠8♠T♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:54:19 AM

Graham Cowan Crosses Into 2M

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Graham Cowan

Graham Cowan picked up a couple of pots with the second one more significant. From cutoff, he opened and Dmitrii Belikov defended the big blind. No bets landed on the flop J♦ 6♥ 9♥ , then checking stopped on the turn 9♦ with Cowan laying out 55,000. Belikov called and the dealer completed the board with a river 4♦ . Belikov jumped out with a 75,000 bet, Cowan countered with 175,000, Belikov wanted to see and called.

Cowan showed 8♦ 7♦ flush for the score. He now has over 2M in chips.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,250,000(75 BB)
DB Dmitrii Belikov	425,000(14 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:45:10 AM

Mike Takayama Flips Into 12th Place - PHP 253,000 /~$4,350

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Mike Takayama - 12th Place

End of the road for Mike Takayama with all of his chips claimed bu Jon Kyte. From the smal blind, Takayama opened, big blind Kyte three-bet 175,000, Takayam jammed 1,060,000, Kyte called.

Player	Hand	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	A♠Q♠ BB	2,779,000(93 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	2♣2♠ SB	busted

Board:9♣A♥5♥K♦6♣

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:41:47 AM

Dmitrii Belikov Earns The Pot

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Dmitrii Belikov

Small blind Ju Won Chung and big blind Dmitrii Belikov built pot of 190,000 preflop then headed to the flop K♦ A♥ T♣ . Belikov bet 70,000 and Chung check-called. Another 135,000 bet on the turn 2♦ was enough to claim the pot.

Player	Chips
DB Dmitrii Belikov	820,000(27 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	500,000(17 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:34:52 AM

Chip Counts

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

Jon Kyte

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,690,000(56 BB)	30	1
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	730,000(24 BB)	30	2
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	395,000(13 BB)	30	4
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	940,000(31 BB)	30	5
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	2,735,000(91 BB)	30	6
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	1,070,000(36 BB)	30	8
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	890,000(30 BB)	31	1
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	710,000(24 BB)	31	2
GC Graham CowanAustralia	1,570,000(52 BB)	31	3
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,115,000(71 BB)	31	4
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	625,000(21 BB)	31	5
DB Dmitrii Belikov	575,000(19 BB)	31	7

Level 24: 15,000 / 30,000 ante: 30,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 12/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:22:30 AM

Alexis Lim Next To Enter 2M Range

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Alexis Lim

Alexis Lim defended his big blind by calling utg Dmitrii Belikov's min-raise. At the flop 5♦ 7♣ 3♥ , Belikov continued for 55,000, Lim returned with a check-raise of 130,000, Belikov obliged. After that heavy encounter, both players checked the turn A♦ and river Q♠ . Lim flipped over 8♣ 8♠ which was a winner. Lim is now over 2M in chips.

Player	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,100,000(84 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	625,000(25 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:17:41 AM

Florencio Campomanes Continues To Drop

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Florencio Campomanes

Not long after paying a flip against Mike Takayama, Florencio Campomanes lost another chunk of his stack. Opening 50,000, big blind Jon Kyte defended and both headed to the flop K♠ 5♣ J♣ . Campomanes c-bet 65,000, Kyte check-called. Both passed on the turn 3♦ to bring the river 4♠ . Kyte jumped out with a 120,000 bet, Campomanes called then mucked to Kyte's A♣ J♠ pair.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,755,000(70 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	500,000(20 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:15:47 AM

Two Pots For Mike Takayama

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Mike Takayama

Mike Takayama is making his presence felt by taking down a couple of pots to join in the million range. The first hand was a double up off Florencio Campomanes with J♦ J♥ holding against A♠ K♥ on a board 6♥ 3♥ 5♦ 7♣ 9♣ .

Next win begans with Jon Kyte raising 55,000, called by cutoff Mark Almusajin and Takayama. All three checked the diamond flop J♦ 6♦ Q♦ . On the turn 8♠ , Kyte bet 90,000, Almusajin folded, Takayama check-raised 325,000. Kyte used up one time-bank then folded as well.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,500,000(60 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	1,085,000(43 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	785,000(31 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 11:00:42 AM

Dong Woo Lee's Set Not Enough, Takes 14th Place - PHP 220,000 /~$3,785

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Dong Woo Lee - 14th Place

Harsh finish for Dong Woo Lee in 14th place. Lee looked down at pocket jacks and raised it up to 50,000. This found two callers to the flop 8♦ 2♣ 7♠ . Lee's c-bet of 75,000 trimmed the competition to heads up against caller Kim Enriquez. On the turn J♠ , Lee improved to a set and barreled another 175,000, Enriquez replied with a check-raise all in. Lee called, putting his tournament life at risk.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	9♣T♣ BB	2,650,000(106 BB)
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	J♦J♣ UTG	busted
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	UTG	360,000(14 BB)

With Enriquez ahead with a straight, Lee's only hope was to pair up. The river K♦ was not one of Lee's outs. Enriquez has now taken a commanding lead.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:53:24 AM

Maxim Fana Out In 15th Place - PHP 220,000 / ~$3,785

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Maxim Fana - 15th Place

With everyone folding to the small blind, Maxim Fana went all in holding Q♣ 2♠ and big blind John Carlo Sayo called with 3♦ 3♠ . The board brought Fana no help 4♠ 9♣ 5♥ J♦ A♣ to finish in 15th place.

Player	Chips
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	925,000(37 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	busted

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:52:24 AM

Dong Woo LeeOn The Rise

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Dong Woo Lee

Dong Woo Lee added another 20 bb to his arsenal by winning three-consecutive pots. The last one was a three-bet that initial raiser Florencio Campomanes opted not to call.

Player	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	1,360,000(54 BB)
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	710,000(28 BB)

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 15/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:43:49 AM

Jonald Garcia Out In 16th Place - PHP 191,000 / $3,285

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Jonald Garcia - 16th Place

Alvir Inocentes min-raises, Alexis Lim calls, and button Jonald Garcia tosses in his last 40,000. Inocentes and Lim proceed to check down the board Q♦ Q♣ 5♥ J♥ 2♦ . At the showdown, Inocente's spikes a higher pair to ship the pot and eliminat Garcia.

Player	Hand	Chips
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	T♠T♣ D	busted
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	K♦J♣ UTG	740,000(37 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	A♦T♥ MP	1,380,000(69 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:40:40 AM

Final 16 Players

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Table 30

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,480,000(74 BB)	30	1
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	1,510,000(76 BB)	30	2
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	800,000(40 BB)	30	3
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	900,000(45 BB)	30	4
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	1,125,000(56 BB)	30	5
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	1,825,000(91 BB)	30	6
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	300,000(15 BB)	30	7
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	400,000(20 BB)	30	8

Table 31

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	750,000(38 BB)	31	1
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	555,000(28 BB)	31	2
GC Graham CowanAustralia	1,300,000(65 BB)	31	3
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	1,400,000(70 BB)	31	4
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,015,000(51 BB)	31	5
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	385,000(19 BB)	31	6
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	90,000(5 BB)	31	7
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	225,000(11 BB)	31	8

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:32:00 AM

John Carlo Sayo Dominates And Boots

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

John Carlo Sayo

After the fall of David Howard to Kim Enriquez in 18th place, Michihiko Matsuda quickly followed out with JC Sayo collecting his chips.

Player	Hand	Chips
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	A♣K♥ SB	750,000(38 BB)
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	A♥Q♦ BB	busted
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom		busted

Board:6♠K♠J♠Q♣9♣

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:31:57 AM

Michael Concepcion Outkicked Into 19th Place

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Michael Concepcion

Big raise preflop of 200,000 from Michael Concepcion that's called by big blind Graham Cowan. Both check the rainbow board A♣ 2♠ 4♥ . Concepcion goes all in for his last 35,000 on the turn Q♦ , Cowan check-calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	K♠Q♣ BB	1,300,000(65 BB)
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	Q♥J♦ D	busted

With the river K♥ , Concepcion's run ends in 19th place.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:29:53 AM

Dmitrii Belikov Crushes Christopher Richards' Ladies

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Christopher Richards

Dmitrii Belikov open shoved from the button with A♥ 7♠ and big blind Christopher Richards called for his tournament life with Q♠ Q♥ . The board ran out 8♦ 6♠ A♣ 7♦ A♠ to crush Richards' pocket pair and send him packing up in 20th place.

Player	Chips
DB Dmitrii Belikov	615,000(31 BB)
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	busted

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:25:32 AM

Kim Enriquez Sniffs Out The Bluff

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Kim Enriquez

Jon Kyte bumps it up to 50,000 and finds one customer in small blind Kim Enriquez. Both players check to the turn 6♦ 3♠ 6♥ 8♣ . Enriquez leads out 40,000, Kyte calls. On the river K♣ , Enriquez fires 55,000, Kyte challenges with a 200,000 raise. After tanking, Enriquez makes the call and reveals Kyte's bluff.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	J♥J♠ SB	1,475,000(74 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	A♦T♣	1,425,000(71 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:22:46 AM

Florencio Campomanes Muscles The Crowd

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Florencio Campomanes

Four players stare down a pot of 180,000 and a flop 6♦ 2♣ 2♥ . After two checks, preflop raiser Maro Espela bets 85,000, Christopher Richards calls, small blind Michihiko Matsuda raises 200,000, Campomanes re-raises 330,000, everyone folds.

Player	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	1,520,000(76 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	825,000(41 BB)
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	335,000(17 BB)
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	320,000(16 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:13:13 AM

Dmitrii Belikov Sticks Around

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Dmitrii Belikov

Dmitrii Belikov shoved his las 16 bb and was called by big stacked Marco Espela. Though behind, Belikov had live cards that connected on the board to stay in the game.

Player	Hand	Chips
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	K♠6♣ D	364,000(18 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	A♠5♣ SB	1,000,000(50 BB)

Board:T♦6♥4♠Q♣Q♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:08:23 AM

Masahiro Toyoda Eliminated In 13th Place - PHP 253,000 /~$4,350

Level 23: 10,000 / 25,000 ante: 25,000

Masahiro Toyoda - 13th Place

Preflop betting war sometimes leads to a shove fest. That was the case here between Alexis Lim and Masahiro Toyoda. Kicking it off, Lim opened 55,000, called by Jun Won Chung, Toyoda three-bet all in for 465,000, Lim joined with a much larger stack to successfully isolate as Chung folded.

Toyoda improved to top pair at the flop and trips on the river but was still way behind Lim's full house. Toyoda exited in 13th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	J♣U? UTG+1	1,760,000(70 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	A♣K♣ CO	busted
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	HJ	970,000(39 BB)

Board:5♦K♥J♠7♠K♠

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 21/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 10:05:58 AM

Dong Woo Lee Doubles Up

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Dong Woo Lee

Down to 21 bb, Dong Woo Lee three-bets all in and is called by initial raiser Mark Almusajin.

Player	Hand	Chips
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	A♦K♥ D	396,000(25 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	A♥J♥ CO	1,277,000(80 BB)

Board:K♣J♣4♦9♠5♣

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:59:19 AM

Mark Almusajin Quickly Fills Up

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Mark Almusajin

Button player Darren Moves limps and big blind Mark Almusajin Q♦ 9 checks. On the flop and turn Q♣ Q♥ 9♦ , Almusajin quickly fills up to a boat and checks while Moves bets 20,000. Almusajin calls then checks again on the turn 3♦ . Moves slides out 25,000, this time Almusajin check-raises 60,000, Moves calls to complete the board 7♠ river. Almusajin fires another 75,000, Moves calls then mucks to the full house.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	1,350,000(84 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	94,000(6 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:56:37 AM

Check-Raise Win For Marco Espela

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Marco Espela

Marco Espela opens and two players call to see the flop 4♣ 2♠ 6♠ . Action is checked to the button John Carlo Sayo who takes a stab for 42,000, this loses one player while Espela raises to 120,000. Sayo passes.

Player	Chips
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	1,250,000(78 BB)
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	299,000(19 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:53:16 AM

Maxim Fana Ships With Higher Pockets

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Maxim Fana

Maxim Fana raises 37,000 then snap calls Benjamin Ebarle's three-bet shove of 161,000 (20 bb). Both have pockets. Fana's hand dominates and holds throughout to ship and boot.

Player	Hand	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	Q♣Q♥ UTG+1	610,000(38 BB)
BE Benjamin EbarlePhilippines	6♣6♥ BB	busted

Board:8♣5♥J♥2♦T♣

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:48:22 AM

Kim Enriquez Sends Dusts Another

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Kim Enriquez

Kim Enriquez scooped up another player's stack, defeating Jerome Cruz in an all in preflop showdown.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	A♠K♥ SB	1,080,000(68 BB)
JC Jerome CruzPhilippines	A♥5♣ UTG	busted

Board:Q♥8♠6♥7♥2♦

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:43:57 AM

Graham Cowan Finishes Off Takahiko Hachiya

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Graham Cowan

Takahiko Hachiya open shoves 208,000 and is sent packing by Graham Cowan.

Player	Hand	Chips
HT Hachiya TakahikoJapan	A♦T♦ UTG	busted
GC Graham CowanAustralia	A♥K♥ D	1,010,000(63 BB)

Board:8♠K♦6♦A♣7♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:42:43 AM

Past Champion Euryd Rivera Eliminated

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Euryd Rivera

Manila Megastack 3 Main Event champion Euryd Rivera rose from just 1 bb entering today's stage however he could not get past Kim Enriquez to fall in 28th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	Q♣Q♦ UTG+1	921,000(58 BB)
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	7♦7♠ UTG	busted

Board:J♣9♠K♦4♠3♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:41:53 AM

Michael Concepcion's Aces Dominate Cowboys

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Michael Concepcion

Cooler ends with a double up for Michael Concepcion.

Player	Hand	Chips
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	A♦A♥ UTG	459,000(29 BB)
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	K♠K♥ HJ	210,000(13 BB)

Board:4♥7♥T♥3♣9♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:37:55 AM

Jon Kyte Extends His Lead

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Jon Kyte

Though we missed the hand, Jon Kyte eliminated Martin Astorga to add another 20 bb to his arsenal. Kyte is currently the chip leader.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,555,000(97 BB)
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	busted

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:36:40 AM

Alexis Lim Doubles Up

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Alexis Lim

All in preflop leads to Alexis Lim doubling up through Dillion Chua .

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	A♥7♠ BB	817,000(51 BB)
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	K♦Q♣ SB	185,000(12 BB)

Board:2♦9♣T♦8♠7♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:33:28 AM

Chip Counts

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Player	Chips
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	1,290,000(81 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,274,000(80 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	812,000(51 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	800,000(50 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	739,000(46 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	720,000(45 BB)
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	590,000(37 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	538,000(34 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	462,000(29 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	447,000(28 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	437,000(27 BB)
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	402,000(25 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	392,000(25 BB)
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	387,000(24 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	380,000(24 BB)
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	350,000(22 BB)
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	329,000(21 BB)
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	322,000(20 BB)
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	317,000(20 BB)
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	306,000(19 BB)
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	305,000(19 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	305,000(19 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	230,000(14 BB)
JC Jerome CruzPhilippines	226,000(14 BB)
BE Benjamin EbarlePhilippines	219,000(14 BB)
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	170,000(11 BB)
HT Hachiya Takahiko	167,000(10 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	160,000(10 BB)
HM Ha Mai AnhViet Nam	140,000(9 BB)
DB Dmitrii Belikov	122,000(8 BB)
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	100,000(6 BB)

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 31/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:13:36 AM

David Howard Lucks Out On The River

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

David Howard

On a board showing 3♣ A♣ 9♦ 3♥ and 108,000 in the pot, David Howard is all in for 177,000 with two pair and is behind caller Florencio Campomanes' trips.

Player	Hand	Chips
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	A♠6♣ BB	462,000(39 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	3♦4♥ MP	720,000(60 BB)

When the river comes down A♦ , both players land a full house with Howard's hand dominating.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:08:04 AM

Christopher Richards Survives Once More

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Christopher Richards

Having gotten lucky in a previous showdown, Christopher Richards goes all in again and survives the flip for another double up.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	8♦8♠ BB	366,000(31 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	A♦K♥ D	98,000(8 BB)

Board:8♥J♥K♣5♥K♦

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:07:15 AM

Florencio Campomanes Cleans Out Mai Anh Ha

Level 22: 10,000 / 20,000 ante: 20,000

Florencio Campomanes and Ha Mai Anh

Florencio Campomanes calls Mai Anh Ha's 13 bb shove and proceeds to claim another stack.

Player	Hand	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	A♦2♦ BB	921,000(46 BB)
HM Ha Mai AnhViet Nam	K♥J♠ UTG	busted

Board:3♦4♥9♠T♠3♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:04:57 AM

Michael Concepcion Finishes Off A Shorty

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Michael Concepcion

Gyeong Tae Yoo sends in his remaining 5 bb and goes bust against caller Michael Concepcion.

Player	Hand	Chips
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	A♥J♠ D	246,000(21 BB)
YG Yoo Gyeong TaeSouth Korea	6♥9♥ CO	busted

Board:K♣5♣2♦2♥8♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 9:00:47 AM

Christopher Richards Gets Lucky

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Christopher Richards

Action packed preflop opens with Edilberto Gopez raising 25,000, Dmitrii Belikov re-raises 65,000, Christopher Richards goes all in for 45,000. Back to Gopez, he goes all in as well and successfully isolates with Belikov opting to fold.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	A♥4♠ CO	165,000(14 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	A♣Q♦ UTG	215,000(18 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	UTG+1	301,000(25 BB)

Board:7♦A♦3♦3♣4♣

With Richards pairing up his low kicker card, he triples up to 13 bb.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:57:02 AM

Ju Won Chung's Flush Earns A Chunk

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Ju Won Chung

Two players call Vamerdino Magsakay's 25,000 raise for a flop 5♦ J♣ 3♥ . Magsakay continues for 35,000, Ju Won Chung calls while losing one player. On the turn 3♣ , Magsakay slows down and checks, Chung goes the other direction and bets 50,000, Magsakay calls to head to the river T♣ . Again Magsakay checks, Chung doubles up his bet to make it 100,000. After using up two time banks, Magsakay finds reason to call then mucks upon seeing Chung's A♣ 4♣ flush.

Player	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	882,000(74 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	50,000(4 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:46:05 AM

Another Win For The Ladies

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Chirag Shah

In our previous post, Marco Espela's queens won the flip against big slick. This was the case once again between Graham Cowan and Chirag Shah leading to the latter's elimination.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	Q♦Q♣ D	797,000(66 BB)
CS Chirag ShahIndia	A♦K♦ BB	busted

Board:9♦J♣8♣5♦T♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:43:08 AM

Marco Espela Doubles Into Million Marker

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Marco Espela

Following a raise of 25,000 from Florencio Campomanes, cutoff Marco Espela three-bets 70,000. After the rest fold, action is back at Campomanes who four-bets 450,000, Espela goes all in for 532,000, Campomanes calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	Q♦Q♣ CO	1,134,000(95 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	A♣K♠ UTG	1,061,000(88 BB)

Board:7♠8♠7♥5♦6♦

With no hits for Campomanes, Espela ships it and catapults into the million marker.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:37:11 AM

Christopher Richards Overpair Still No Good

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Christopher Richards

Big pot of 147,000 brewed by the turn board 8♣ 8♦ 2♠ 3♣ has Florencio Campomanes betting 120,000, Christopher Richards check-calls. On the river 3♥ , Richards checks again to Campomanes and a 300,000 bet follows. Richards calls and shows T♥ T♠ overpair, Campomanes has better J♠ J♣ to rake in the biggest pot of the day yet.

Player	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	1,613,000(134 BB)
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	77,000(6 BB)

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 38/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:33:21 AM

Kim Enriquez Connects On The River

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Kim Enriquez

Three players in a raised pot check the flop 6♥ 7♦ T♣ . On the turn K♦ , big blind Mai Anh Ha slides out 22,000, preflop raiser Kim Enriquez raises 65,000 from cutoff, small blind Jerome Cruz check-calls, and Ha joins to keep the three-way intact. On the river 3♣ , action is checked to Enriquez who fires 155,000, only Cruz pays to see. Enriquez shows a winning 4♥ 5♥ straight.

Player	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	725,000(73 BB)
HM Ha Mai AnhViet Nam	186,000(19 BB)
JC Jerome CruzPhilippines	160,000(16 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:26:11 AM

Dong Woo Lee Takes Charge Of The Action

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Dong Woo Lee

John Carlo Sayo min-raises, Dong Woo Lee challenges with a three-bet of 52,000, Sayo calls. Both players check to the turn 9♣ 4♦ A♥ 7♣ . Sayo checks again while Lee sends out 35,000. Sayo calls then checks the river K♥ . Like previous, Lee fires a bet, this time a larger 80,000. Sayo sends his hand to the muck.

Player	Chips
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	365,000(37 BB)
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	315,000(32 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:15:06 AM

Kyuhyung Jung Falls To Florencio Campomanes

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Kyuhyung Jung

Down to 11 bb, Kyuhyung Jung open shoves from the button and is denied the steal with big blind Florencio Campomanes. When the cards are flipped, Jung needs luck but it doesn't come to fall out of the running.

Player	Hand	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	A♠K♠ BB	965,000(97 BB)
KJ Kyuhyung JungSouth Korea	A♣T♠ D	busted

Board:8♦9♣K♣4♥6♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:12:56 AM

Jon Kyte Takes Chunks From Ryan Tan

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Jon Kyte

Heavy action opens with utg player raising 20,000, two spots over Jon Kyte re-raises 55,000, cutoff Ryan Tan four-bets 130,000, only Kyte calls. Tan continues the barrage with an 80,000 bet at the flop 4♠ 6♥ J♥ and 120,000 on the turn 2♦ . Kyte check-calls both then they check the river 3♠ . Kyte flips over Q♦ J♦ for the win.

Kyte is currently the chip leader.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,068,000(107 BB)
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	170,000(17 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:08:15 AM

Graham Cowan Wins The Showdown

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Graham Cowan

Graham Cowan goes all in and sweats it against Euryd Rivera's overcards. The board runs clean for a double up to Cowan.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	J♣J♠ UTG+1	395,000(40 BB)
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	A♦K♦ CO	60,000(6 BB)

Board:Q♠Q♦6♣7♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:04:07 AM

Mark Almusajin Melts Snowmen

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Mark Almusajin

Teruhisa Aoyama opens then four-bet all in for 217,000. Mark Almusajin doesn't budge to put Aoyama at risk. At the showdown, Aoyama's snowmen don't hold against the ladies to go bust.

Player	Hand	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	Q♦Q♥ HJ	612,000(61 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	8♠8♦ UTG+1	busted

Board:2♣2♦3♦5♦9♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 8:00:39 AM

Splash Of Chips For Jerome Cruz

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Jerome Cruz

Takahiko Hachiya min-raises, three players call, flop lands 2♠ J♥ 6♣ . Three players check to cutoff Jerome Cruz who bets 28,000, no callers follow.

Player	Chips
HT Hachiya TakahikoJapan	367,000(37 BB)
JC Jerome CruzPhilippines	333,000(33 BB)

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 43/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:44:31 AM

Easy Win For Darren Moves

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Darren Moves

Euryd Rivera opens from utg+2 and four players join to see a flop land 8♦ 2♥ 6♣ . Small blind Darren Moves bets 30,000 and wins the pot easy.

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	530,000(66 BB)
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	185,000(23 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:41:00 AM

Big Pot For Ryan Tan

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Ryan Tan

Ryan Tan and Mark Almusajin build a pot of 112,000 preflop. On the flop 8♠ 9♥ K♥ , Ryan Tan bets 40,000 and takes it down then and there.

Player	Chips
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	491,000(61 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	340,000(43 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:34:14 AM

Ju Won Chung Gains With Ladies

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Ju Won Chung

Ju Won Chung is dealts Q♦ Q♠ and gives it a customary preflop raise of 16,000. Two players call to see a flop 6♠ T♥ K♥ . Chung continues 23,000, only Martin Gonzales calls. Same action on the turn 5♣ with Chung's 27,000 bet check-called. Both players then tap felt on the river 2♦ . Gonzales' A♥ Q♥ missed all the draws to send the pot to Chung.

Player	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	731,000(91 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	255,000(32 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:31:28 AM

Marco Espela Takes It On The River

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Marco Espela

Small blind Dmitrii Belikov limps then calls big blind Marco Espela's 28,000 raise. Both check to the turn 5♥ T♠ J♠ 7♦ . Belikov tests the waters with a 35,000 bet, Espela calls, and they head to the river J♦ . This time Belikov returns to checking, Espela gives it a go for 81,000 and wins the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	487,000(61 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	225,000(28 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:28:37 AM

Decent Pot For Chirag Shah

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Chirag Shah

Three players in a raised pot to 68,000 go to the flop 2♣ J♣ 4♥ . Following two checks, button Chirag Shah bets 25,000 and only Kim Enriquez calls. Both players check the turn 3♦ and river A♠ . Shah wins the pot with top pair on the flop.

Player	Hand	Chips
CS Chirag ShahIndia	Q♥J♥ D	390,000(49 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	4♦7♥ BB	247,000(31 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:26:33 AM

Small Pair No Good For Woobeen Lee

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Woobeen Lee

Woobeen Lee three-bets all in 76,000 with 3♣ 3♠ on hand and doesn't escape against initial raiser Takahiko Hachiya who calls with a better 7♥ 7♠ . The board runs out A♣ K♥ 4♠ J♦ 8♦ . Lee goes bust.

Player	Chips
HT Hachiya TakahikoJapan	365,000(46 BB)
WL Woobeen LeeSouth Korea	busted

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:22:56 AM

Double Up And More For Martin Gonzales

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Martin Gonzales

Maxim Fana opens and is called by Martin Gonzales and Ju Won Chung. All three check to the turn 7♠ 9♦ 6♣ 4♠ . Chung bets 25,000, Fana calls, Gonzales announces all in for 128,000, Chung tank-calls while Fana gets out of the way.

When the cards are revealed, Chung's top pair is drawing dead to Gonzales' set.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	A♦9♥ BB	634,000(79 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	6♦6♥ CO	341,000(43 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	UTG	209,000(26 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:20:04 AM

Takahiko Hachiya Gets Max Pay For The Flush

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Takahiko Hachiya

Small blind Takahiko Hachiya and big blind Woobeen Lee stare down a pot of 70,000 and a turn board 3♠ Q♥ 9♥ 4♠ . Hachiya adds 33,000 to the pot and Lee matches it. On the river K♥ , Hachiya goes all in for 75,000, again Lee calls and shows K♣ 3♣ two pair. Hachiya has him beat with 4♥ 5♥ flush.

Player	Chips
HT Hachiya TakahikoJapan	286,000(36 BB)
WL Woobeen LeeSouth Korea	63,000(8 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:13:28 AM

Top Stacks

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Ju Won Chung

Player	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	748,000(94 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	725,000(91 BB)
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	695,000(87 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	600,000(75 BB)
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	480,000(60 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	458,000(57 BB)
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	447,000(56 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	446,000(56 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	398,000(50 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	353,000(44 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	353,000(44 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	352,000(44 BB)
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	340,000(43 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	336,000(42 BB)
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	328,000(41 BB)
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	325,000(41 BB)
WW William WrightUnited States of America	312,000(39 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	300,000(38 BB)
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	294,000(37 BB)
CS Chirag ShahIndia	290,000(36 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	289,000(36 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	277,000(35 BB)
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	271,000(34 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	261,000(33 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	255,000(32 BB)
KJ Kyuhyung JungSouth Korea	249,000(31 BB)
SL Suya LeeSouth Korea	246,000(31 BB)

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 50/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 7:02:03 AM

Martin Astorga vs Florencio Campomanes

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Martin Astorga

Following a raise from hijack Martin Astorga, cutoff Florencio Campomanes three-bets 39,000. Astorga calls and they go to the flop 7♠ A♣ K♥ . Campomanes continues for 20,000 and doesn't shake Astorga who check-calls. Change up on the turn 9♣ with Astorga leading out 50,000, and he too doesn't shake his opponent with Campomanes calling. Taking the battle to the river 9♥ , Astorga bets 95,000, Campomanes uses one time-bank before raising 259,000. This was enough to induce a fold.

Player	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	725,000(121 BB)
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	271,000(45 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:57:36 AM

Graham Cowan Eliminates Sergei Korzhenko

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Graham Cowan

Sergei Korzhenko open shoves 76,000 and is behind the whole way against caller Graham Cowan.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	A♣K D	237,000(40 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	K♦Q♥ CO	busted

Board:9♦2♥9♣4♥5♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:55:44 AM

Dillion Chua Denies The Steal

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Dillion Chua

Two players call Dillion Chua's 14,000 raise to battle it out at the flop 5♣ 9♣ 5♥ . Chua continues for 15,000 leading to one drop out while Jensen Chow check-calls. No bets find the turn K♥ to bring the river 2♦ . Chow switches up for a 40,000 lead out bet only to be faced with a shove from Chua. Chow folds.

Player	Chips
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	310,000(52 BB)
JR Jensen Rex ChowPhilippines	34,000(6 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:47:00 AM

Ju Won Chung On The Rise

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Ju Won Chung

Just after Ju Won Chung scored huge double up off Woobeen Lee, he zoomed to the top of the counts. Keeping the momentum, Chung called Masahiro Toyoda's 44,000 three-bet for a flop T♠ 7♦ 9♦ . Toyoda checked, Chung test-bet 40,000, Toyoda folded.

Player	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	822,000(137 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	276,000(46 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:43:09 AM

Teruhisa Aoyama Shoves For The Pot

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Teruhisa Aoyama

Catching the action on a board Q♥ 8♣ A♥ T♣ 2♦ with 96,000 in the pot. Mark Almusajin takes a stab for 45,000, Jon Kyte folds, Teruhisa Aoyama check-raises all in for 202,000, Almusajin gives up the fight.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	566,000(94 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	368,000(61 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	343,000(57 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:41:56 AM

Ryan Tan Eliminates Jose Colada

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Ryan Tan

Ryan Tan raised with cowboys, Jose Colada three-bet his ladies for 36,000, Tan shoved, Colada called for his tournament life.

Player	Hand	Chips
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	K♣K♥ UTG	470,000(78 BB)
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	Q♥Q♣ HJ	busted

Board:5♣6♥8♦4♠K♠

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:38:09 AM

Three-Bet Win For Florencio Campomanes

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Florencio Campomanes

Florencio Campomanes opens and finds one customer in big blind David Howard. Heavy action on the flop Q♦ 3♣ 6♦ starts with a c-bet of 13,000 by Campomanes, Howard check-raises 28,000, Campomanes three-bets 83,000, Howard let's go of his hand.

Player	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	526,000(88 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	474,000(79 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:29:16 AM

Joshua Cuevas Runs Into Kings

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Joshua Cuevas

Joshua Cuevas risks his last 86,000 and goes bust to caller Masahiro Toyoda.

Player	Hand	Chips
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	K♣K♠	307,000(51 BB)
JC Joshua CuevasUnited States of America	T♣T♠	busted

Board:Q♣4♥8♦7♥J♣

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:24:32 AM

Jester Intia Steals Control From Mike Takayama

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jester Intia

With a pot of 75,000 built preflop, small blind Jester Intia check-calls big blind Mike Takayama's 26,000 bet on a flop 3♠ K♣ 8♣ . The dealer drops the turn 5♥ . Takayama fires 64,000, Intia check-raises 150,000, Takayama gives it up.

Player	Chips
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	443,000(89 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	241,000(48 BB)

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 59/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:21:36 AM

Jensen Rex Chow Outdraws Paul Elliott

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jensen Rex Chow

Battle of the blinds begins with Jensen Rex Chow raising 12,000 then calls big blind Paul Elliott's 66,000 shove. Elliott is slightly ahead until the board gives Chow a higher pair.

Player	Hand	Chips
JR Jensen Rex ChowPhilippines	K♦T♠ SB	370,000(74 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	A♦J♥ BB	busted

Board:8♠J♦K♠9♠5♥

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:18:07 AM

Big Blind Special For Woobeen Lee

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Woobeen Lee

Following a raise of 12,000 by Ju Won Chung that's called by the small blind, Woobeen Lee defends his big blind. All three check to the turn Q♠ 4♣ 8♣ K♠ . Lee leads out 16,000 and only Chung calls. On the river 6♥ , Lee value-bets 35,000, Chung pays to see Lee's hand who shows Q♣ 4♥ two pair. Chung mucks.

Player	Chips
WL Woobeen LeeSouth Korea	632,000(126 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	397,000(79 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:16:40 AM

Mark Almusajin Bookends Winners

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Mark Almusajin

Facing a min-raise from utg+1 Teruhisa Aoyama, hijack Mark Almusajin makes it 35,000. Aoyama answers with a four-bet shove, Almusajin calls, risking his tournament life.

Player	Hand	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	A♦K♣ HJ	380,000(76 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	7♦7♥ UTG+1	231,000(46 BB)

With the board runningKd T♠ 8♥ 6♣ A♥ , Almusajin bookends winners for a happy double up.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:12:53 AM

Defending Champ Stopped On The River

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Richard Marquez

Defending champion Richard Marquez raises preflop then puts the heat on caller Kyuhyung Jung. Marquez bets 14,000 on the flop 7♠ K♠ T♠ and 24,000 on the turn 4♣ . Jung check-calls both then switches up on the river 6♠ with an open-shove of 122,000. With just half that, Marquez opts to fold.

Player	Chips
KJ Kyuhyung JungSouth Korea	181,000(36 BB)
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	60,000(12 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:07:10 AM

Mike Takayama Gets Ilia Timofeev To Commit

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Mike Takayama

From utg, Ilia Timofeev raises and is joined by two players to the flop 2♣ 9♦ 2♠ . Continuing for 19,000, cutoff folds while button Mike Takayama raises 35,000. Timofeev calls. On the turn 2♥ , Timofeev passes control to Takayama who lays out 70,000, Timofeev has less behind (48,000), and goes deep in the tank. After two time-banks, Timofeev calls and discovers he is way behind.

Player	Hand	Chips
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	7♥9♥ D	359,000(72 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	7♣7♦ UTG	busted

With the river 8♦ , Timofeev gets the boot.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 6:03:53 AM

Brenton Buttigieg Doubles Up

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Small blind Czardy Rivera looks down at 8♣ 8♥ and pushes 187,000, big blind Brenton Buttigieg risks his last 65,000 (13 bb) on J♦ T♦ . The board runs out K♣ A♦ K♦ J♥ J♣ .

Player	Chips
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	135,000(27 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	122,000(24 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:58:16 AM

Christopher Richards Boosted By Aces

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Christopher Richards

Three-bet pot preflop builds 62,000 in the middle, small blind aggressor Christopher Richards adds in 20,000 more on the flop 4♣ Q♥ 2♥ . Button player Marco Espela calls. The turn J♣ sees Richards shoves his last 82,000, Espela calls.

Player	Hand	Chips
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	A♣A♥ SB	266,000(53 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	K♣6♣ D	340,000(68 BB)

Richards is ahead while Espela hopes for a club. The river K♠ is not it to grant Richards the double up.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:51:03 AM

Masakazu Miyamoto Denies Jon Kyte's Bluff

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Masakazu Miyamoto

Masakazu Miyamoto looks down at 6♠ 6♥ and opens from the button, big blind Jon Kyte has K♠ 2♠ and defends. More chips fly at the flop J♦ 7♠ 5♠ .Miyamoto c-bets 9000, Kyte check-raises 25,000, Miyamoto calls. Both players check the turn J♣ to bring the river 8♥ . Kyte leads out 65,000, Miyamoto calls and rakes it in on Kyte's failed bluff.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	448,000(90 BB)
MM Masakazu MiyamotoJapan	315,000(63 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:48:30 AM

Jason Ambata Flips Out Of The Running

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Rick Jason Ambata

Jason Ambata kicked off what turned out to be a betting war against Edilberto Gopez as he opened 11,000. Gopez re-raised 38,000, Ambata four-bet all in for 153,000, Gopez snap-called and when the cards were revealed, it was a flip.

Player	Hand	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	A♣K♠ SB	565,000(113 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	T♦T♠ UTG+1	busted

Board:5♥4♠K♦A♠3♥

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 66/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:40:42 AM

Woobeen Lee Shoves For The Pot

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Woobeen Lee

Aggressive from the get-go, small blind Woobeen Lee three-bets 36,000 and doesn't shake off initial raiser Joshua Cuevas who calls from the button. At the flop and turn 9♠ Q♦ J♦ , Lee fires away for 24,000 and 66,000, Cuevas calls both. On the river 5♠ , Lee shoves 322,000 to send Cuevas tanking. After a minute, Cuevas opts to hold on to his chips.

Player	Chips
WL Woobeen LeeSouth Korea	580,000(145 BB)
JC Joshua CuevasUnited States of America	245,000(61 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:38:51 AM

Teruhisa Aoyama Soars Then Dips

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Teruhisa Aoyama

After scoring a double up off Mark Almusajin, Teruhisa Aoyama zoomed to the top of the leaderboard while Almusajin was sent to the middle of the pack. On the next hand, Aoyama raised 8000 from utg+2 then called big blind Jon Kyte's 35,000 re-raise. Same action on the flop and turn 6♣ A♥ T♦ 5♣ with Aoyama calling Kyte's 19,000 and 55,000 bets. On the river K♦ , Kyte bangs out 105,000 and this time Aoyama opts not to continue.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	565,000(141 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	508,000(127 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	193,000(48 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:30:48 AM

Shocker At The Table

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Michihiko Matsuda

Day 2 entering chip leader Edilberto Gopez could not believe the result of this hand which first opened with Gopez raising 10,000 from early position. Big blind Michihiko Matsuda defended. When the board completed 5♥ 3♦ 2♥ T♦ 7♥ , Gopez fired down every street - 10,000, 30,000, and 105,000. Matsuda check-called the flop and turn then used up two time banks before calling the river bet.

Player	Hand	Chips
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	2♣8♣ BB	453,000(113 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	A♥8♦ UTG+1	335,000(84 BB)

Gopez flipped over ace-high, Matsuda shocked to table by revealing bottom pair. What a call!

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:26:05 AM

Chirag Shah Seizes Control

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Chirag Shah

From the big blind, Chirag Shah calls utg Edwin Dela Cruz’s 9000 raise and both head to the flop 7♥ 6♦ K♦ . Cruz continues for 8000, Shah answers with a check-raise of 21,000, Cruz gives it a thought and calls. At the turn 3♦ , Shah leads out 25,000 which is enough to claim the pot without further challenge.

Player	Chips
CS Chirag ShahIndia	151,000(38 BB)
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	110,000(28 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:22:47 AM

Joonghoon Eom's Ladies Stand Firm

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Eom Joonghoon

Down to 16 bb, Joonghoon Eom looks down at pockets and three-bets all in. Miyamoto Masakazu calls to put him at risk.

Player	Hand	Chips
EJ Eom JoonghoonSouth Korea	Q♣Q♠ D	138,000(35 BB)
MM Masakazu MiyamotoJapan	8♦8♥ UTG	147,000(37 BB)

Board:2♠2♥T♣5♣A♣

Eom's ladies hold throughout the board for a double up.

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:17:45 AM

Preflop Battle Goes To Ryan Tan

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Ryan Tan

First to act Ryan Tan jumps out with a 9000 raise, next to him Maxim Fana three-bets 28,000. After action folds around back to Tan, he tanks for one time bank then four-bets 65,000. Fana tosses his hand in the muck pile.

Player	Chips
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	245,000(61 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	176,000(44 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:14:29 AM

Masakazu Miyamoto Muscles The Big Stack

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Masakazu Miyamoto

Facing a raise of 9,000 from one of the day’s chip leaders Mark Almusajin, cutoff player Masakazu Miyamoto bumped it up to 30,000. Almusajin wanted to see the flop and called. The cards landed 3♣ 4♦ 3♦ . Miyamoto continued to represent strength and slid out 17,000, Almusajin gave it up.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	545,000(136 BB)
MM Masakazu MiyamotoJapan	198,000(50 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 5:09:37 AM

Early Aggression From Ju Won Chung

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Ju Won Chung

Ju Won Chung came out firing from the big blind, laying out a three-bet of 29,000. This was enough to push out initial raiser Joshua Cuevas while Woobeen Lee stuck around and to see the flop Q♠ J♣ 6♥ . Chung continued for 12,000, Lee called to bring the turn T♠ . Chung barreled for a larger 33,000, Lee surrendered.

Player	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	444,000(111 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	423,000(106 BB)
WL Woobeen Lee	376,000(94 BB)

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 71/467

TriciaTricia

1/26/2025, 3:22:14 AM

Main Event Day 2 Kicks Off At 1pm; Edilberto Gopez leads 71 qualifiers

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Manila Megastack 21

PokerStars LIVE season opener Manila Megastack 21 is down to its final two days at world-class Okada Manila in the Philippines. On center stage is the Main Event with 71 flight survivors out of 467 entries returning today, Day 2, each one already having secured a piece of the PHP 20,000,000 (~$342,705) prize pool.

Coming in as overall chip leader is Edilberto Gopez who topped Flight B with a stack of 546,000 (273 bb). Gopez is closely trailed by Flight A leader Mark Almusajin with 520,000 (260 bb). Also in the lineup are defending champion Richard Marquez and MM3 champion Euryd Rivera. While Marquez sits on a decent 86,000 (43 bb), Rivera has plenty of ground to make up with just 3,000 (<1 bb).

Day 2 gets rolling at 1pm with blinds at 2000-4000 ante 4000 and increasing every 40 minutes. Players are guaranteed a min-cash of PHP 73,000 (~$1,255). The goal today is to reach the final table where a top prize payout of PHP 3,900,000 (~$67,090) awaits the next champion.

Manila Megastack 21 Main Event

Date/s: January 23-27, 2025

Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 770)

Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)

Entries: 467

Prize pool: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)

ITM: 71 players

Flight Results

Flight A: 83 entries, 13 qualified

Flight B: 101 entries, 15 qualified

Flight C: 206 entries. 31 qualified

Flight D [20/15]: 77 entries. 12 qualified

Day 2: Sunday, January 26

Final Day: Monday, January 27

Somuchpoker is onsite to bring you fresh updates throughout the day.

SMPSMP

1/25/2025, 9:22:15 PM

Day 2 Qualifiers

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	546,000(137 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	520,000(130 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	432,000(108 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	427,000(107 BB)
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	425,000(106 BB)
WL Woobeen Lee	415,000(104 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	398,000(100 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	385,000(96 BB)
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	334,000(84 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	320,000(80 BB)
HM Han Myunghwan	313,000(78 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	310,000(78 BB)
JR Jensen Rex ChowPhilippines	304,000(76 BB)
KY Kunlong YuChina	303,000(76 BB)
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	301,000(75 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	291,000(73 BB)
KK Keita KitamuraJapan	265,000(66 BB)
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	254,000(64 BB)
YG Yoo Gyeong TaeSouth Korea	252,000(63 BB)
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	240,000(60 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	240,000(60 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	234,000(59 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	231,000(58 BB)
WW William WrightUnited States of America	227,000(57 BB)
JC Jerome CruzPhilippines	210,000(53 BB)
HM Ha Mai Anh	207,000(52 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	204,000(51 BB)
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	198,000(50 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	198,000(50 BB)
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	179,000(45 BB)
MM Masakazu MiyamotoJapan	178,000(45 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	175,000(44 BB)
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	171,000(43 BB)
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	167,000(42 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	165,000(41 BB)
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	160,000(40 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	158,000(40 BB)
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	157,000(39 BB)
DB Dmitrii Belikov	156,000(39 BB)
PT Paul TirnoveanBelgium	153,000(38 BB)
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	152,000(38 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	149,000(37 BB)
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	145,000(36 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	142,000(36 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	142,000(36 BB)
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	138,000(35 BB)
CS Chirag ShahIndia	134,000(34 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	134,000(34 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	130,000(33 BB)
UE Uuganbayar ErdenekhuMongolia	128,000(32 BB)
CL Christian Lortie CloutierCanada	126,000(32 BB)
SL Suya LeeSouth Korea	123,000(31 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	118,000(30 BB)
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	116,000(29 BB)
KJ Kyuhyung Jung	113,000(28 BB)
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	102,000(26 BB)
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	102,000(26 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	102,000(26 BB)
EJ Eom Joonghoon	90,000(23 BB)
RM Rishi MirpuriSingapore	87,000(22 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	86,000(22 BB)
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	86,000(22 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	83,000(21 BB)
HT Hachiya Takahiko	73,000(18 BB)
JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	73,000(18 BB)
BE Benjamin EbarlePhilippines	70,000(18 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	66,000(17 BB)
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	58,000(15 BB)
ML Marcuss LiowMalaysia	47,000(12 BB)
JM Joseph MagnottiUnited States of America	46,000(12 BB)
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	3,000(1 BB)

SMPSMP

1/25/2025, 7:55:05 PM

Flight D - 12 Qualifiers

Player	Chips
JC Joshua Cuevas	432,000
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	254,000
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	240,000
HM Ha Mai Anh	207,000
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	198,000
ES Eman SegismundoPhilippines	179,000
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	160,000
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	152,000
DW Dong Woo LeeSouth Korea	145,000
JC Jose ColadaPhilippines	138,000
CR Christopher RichardsUnited Kingdom	116,000
EJ Eom Joonghoon	90,000

SMPSMP

1/25/2025, 5:18:43 PM

Flight C - 31 Survivors

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	427,000
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	425,000
WL Woobeen Lee	415,000
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	385,000
HM Han Myunghwan	313,000
JR Jensen Rex ChowPhilippines	304,000
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	291,000
KK Keita KitamuraJapan	265,000
YG Yoo Gyeong TaeSouth Korea	252,000
FC Flo CampomanesPhilippines	234,000
WW William WrightUnited States of America	227,000
JC Jerome CruzPhilippines	210,000
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	204,000
MM Masakazu MiyamotoJapan	178,000
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	175,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	165,000
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	157,000
DB Dmitrii Belikov	156,000
PT Paul TirnoveanBelgium	153,000
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	142,000
CS Chirag ShahIndia	134,000
UE Uuganbayar ErdenekhuMongolia	128,000
CL Christian LortieCanada	126,000
SL Suya LeeSouth Korea	123,000
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	118,000
DC Dillion ChuaSingapore	102,000
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	102,000
RM Rishi MirpuriSingapore	87,000
BE Benjamin EbarlePhilippines	70,000
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	58,000
ML Marcuss LiowMalaysia	47,000

SMPSMP

1/24/2025, 6:08:10 PM

Flight B - 15 Survivors

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	546,000
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	398,000
MM Michihiko MatsudaJapan	334,000
KY Kunlong YuChina	303,000
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	301,000
GC Graham CowanAustralia	231,000
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	171,000
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	167,000
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	149,000
KJ Kyuhyung Jung	113,000
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	86,000
HT Hachiya Takahiko	73,000
JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	73,000
JM Joseph MagnottiUnited States of America	46,000
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	3,000

SMPSMP

1/23/2025, 5:38:40 PM

Flight A - 13 Survivors

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	520,000
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	320,000
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	310,000
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	240,000
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	198,000
DM Darren MovesAustralia	158,000
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	142,000
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	134,000
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	130,000
SK Sergei Korzhenko	102,000
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	86,000
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	83,000
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	66,000