Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #23

2025.01.27Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

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

Entries

13/83

Total Chips

2,490,000

Average

191,538

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 4:00:10 PM

Mark Almusajin Bags Big at Main Event Flight A

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

Mark Almusajin - Main Event Flight A Chipleader

The excitement at the Manila Megastack 21 Main Event is off to a thrilling start as Flight A has officially concluded with 83 total entries locked in for the battle ahead. After a grueling fifteen-level grind, the field narrowed down to just 13 survivors, all punching their ticket to Day 2 and securing a piece of the PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) guaranteed prize pool.

At the top of the leaderboard sits local grinder Mark Almusajin, who has set the pace in fiery fashion, bagging an astonishing 520,000 in chips - over 17 times the starting stack! Almusajin made an early statement in the day after a pivotal clash with Edilberto Gopez saw his pocket aces hold strong against Gopez’ ace-king, catapulting him to the top spot and allowing him to build a commanding lead that he would not once relinquish. For the next nine hours, Almusajin continued to control the action, steadily accumulating chips level after level.

Almusajin's dominance was seen in full display, leaving quite a distance with second in position Naohiro Arita's 320,000 chip count. Another Japanese contender joins the top ranks, with Teruhisa Aoyama trailing just behind his compatriot with 310,000 in chips.

But while Almusajin's performance has put him in prime position, the race is far from over. Three more flights are set to follow over the next two days, sure to bring an intense round of competition for Day 2's battle this coming Sunday. All Flight A survivors are off for a two-day break to recharge, or dive head first across the side events for a chance to claim a spadie in between.

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)

Starting stack: 30,000

Flight A: 83 entries, 13 qualified

Flight B: Friday, January 24

Flight C: Saturday, January 25

Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, January 25

Day 2: Sunday, January 26

Final Day: Monday, January 27

SMPSMP

1/23/2025, 3:58:58 PM

End of Flight A - 13 Surivivors

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

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	520,000(130 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	320,000(80 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	310,000(78 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	240,000(60 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	198,000(50 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	158,000(40 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	142,000(36 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	134,000(34 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	130,000(33 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	102,000(26 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	86,000(22 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	83,000(21 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	66,000(17 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:57:23 PM

Paul Elliott Bubbles Main Event Flight A

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

Paul Elliott

Mark Almusajin opened 8,000 utg, called by player a seat after along with Paul Elliott on the big blind. On flop 3♣ 5♣ J♠ , Elliott led all-in for 49,500, called by Almusajin with his premium pair.

Paul Elliott Q♥ J♣

Mark Almusajin K♦ K♥

Elliott in rough shape, failed to catch up on either turn 8♥ or river 7♠ , sending him out as the flight's stone cold bubble.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	520,000(130 BB)
PE Paul ElliottUnited Kingdom	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:55:10 PM

Top Pair Lands Ho Tai Tsai in Trouble

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

Ho Tai Tsai

Ho Tai Tsai defended his big blind against Naohiro Arita's 8,000 hijack open, and went on to lead all-in for 75,500 on flop T♦ A♣ 9♦ . Arita snap called with A♦ 8♦ , putting Tsai at risk with his lower kicker A♠ 5♠ .

Runout came K♣ J♦ , sealing the win for Arita as Tsai headed out two spots short of making Day 2.

Player	Chips
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	320,000(80 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:38:34 PM

Naohiro Arita Puts on the Pressure

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

Naohiro Arita

With 50,500 centered around board 2♣ 4♣ A♦ 9♦ 8♦ , Naohiro Arita sent out a 36,500 bet from the big blind and left Ho Tai Tsai to take a minute. Tsai eventually decided to fold, shooting down to twenty big blinds.

Player	Chips
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	238,000(60 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	80,500(20 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:34:13 PM

Rey Roca Heads for the Exit

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

Rey Roca

Teruhisa Aoyama raised all-in on the small blind and saw Rey Roca right behind, commit his last 19,000.

Roca in search of a double up, instead bowed out after failing to improve on board 6♣ 4♠ J♣ Q♣ 7♣ .

Player	Hand	Chips
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	K♠J♠ SB	273,000(68 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	T♦7♠ BB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:23:17 PM

Darren Moves Takes One Out

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

Darren Moves

Joshua Cuevas pushed all-in for his last 33,000 on the hijack and was called by Darren Moves right behind.

At risk, Cuevas bowed out shortly after board 7♣ 5♣ T♣ J♦ A♥ ran two pair for Moves.

Player	Hand	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	A♣T♥ CO	121,000(30 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	J♥4♥ HJ	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 17/83

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:16:15 PM

Midpair Good Enough for Vamerdino Magsakay

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Vamerdino Magsakay

Joshua Cuevas defended his big blind against Vamerdino Magsakay's 7,000 cutoff open, and headed to flop T♣ J♦ 6♦ . Action checked round to turn 3♠ , where Magsakay bet 14,000. Cuevas check called onto river 7♦ , and arrived at showdown after Magsakay checked it back.

Cuevas showed queen-high Q♠ 2♠ , behind on all streets against Magsakay's A♦ T♦ .

Player	Chips
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	185,000(62 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	33,000(11 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:13:37 PM

Paul Elliott Bets to Win

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Paul Elliott

Sergei Korzhenko opened 6,000 utg and was joined by both players on the blinds onto flop T♣ 6♣ T♠ . Korzhenko continued for 3,000, check called by Paul Elliott on the small blind. Both players checked turn 4♦ through to river Q♣ , where Elliott led 10,000. Korzhenko surrendered, giving up the pot to his opponent.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	115,000(38 BB)
PE Paul ElliottUnited Kingdom	75,000(25 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:11:16 PM

Maxim Fana Pulls Double Barrel

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Maxim Fana

A button vs big blind battle built up a pot of 26,500 before flop 4♥ J♣ T♥ rolled on the felt. Maxim Fana continued with a bet of 7,000, followed by another 18,000 on turn J♦ . Darren Moves check called one street yet laid it down after Fana proceeded with aggression.

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	161,000(54 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	134,000(45 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 3:07:55 PM

Rick Jason Ambata Proceeds with Caution

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Rick Jason Ambata

Rick Jason Ambata opened 6,000 on the button and was joined by both players on the blinds onto flop T♠ Q♣ 5♠ . Ambata continued for 8,000, check called by Joshua Cuevas on the big blind. Turn 8♣ and river T♦ were checked to showdown, revealing Cuevas' two pair 5♦ 3♦ , no good against Ambata's K♦ Q♥ .

Player	Chips
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	83,000(28 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	60,000(20 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:57:19 PM

Mark Almusajin Flops the Nuts

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Mark Almusajin

Mark Almusajin opened 7,000 on the cutoff, called behind by Sergei Korzhenko. Action on flop 6♥ 5♦ 2♣ was checked round to turn 9♠ , where Almusajin bet 8,000. Korzhenko made the call, and arrived at showdown shortly after no more bets went in river 7♠ .

Almusajin revealed nut straight 4♥ 3♦ , and added another pile onto his towering stack.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	441,000(147 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	106,000(35 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:53:56 PM

Rey Roca Survives Flip

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Rey Roca

Rey Roca flicked in his last 26,000 on the cutoff and was looked up by Mark Almusajin right on the big blind.

Roca at risk, was left with no worries as board 7♣ 2♥ 9♣ K♣ 3♥ landed him a set to survive through.

Player	Hand	Chips
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	7♦7♠ CO	56,500(19 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	K♥Q♦ BB	414,500(138 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:48:23 PM

Flo Campomanes Left Running on Fumes

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Florencio Campomanes

Ricardo Torres opened 6,000 on the hijack and was joined by Flo Campomanes on the small blind. On flop T♦ J♠ 7♥ , Campomanes pulled a check raise for 29,000, and went on to demand for the rest on turn 6♠ . Torres called off for his last 15,000 with mid pair Q♥ T♥ , and shipped the win against Campomanes' K♦ Q♦ as the river J♥ bricked out for his opponent.

Player	Chips
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	96,000(32 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	37,000(12 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:42:29 PM

Hefty Bet Works for Masahiro Toyoda

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

With 47,000 spread out across board 6♣ 3♠ T♥ 4♦ , Masahiro Toyoda went for a bet of 35,000 and left initial raiser Darren Moves unable to continue.

Player	Chips
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	168,000(56 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	118,000(39 BB)

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 18/83

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:36:26 PM

Chip Count Update

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Mark Almusajin

Flight A action is close to wrapping up, with five more eliminations to go before bagging time. 13 players out of the 83-entry field are set to advance to Day 2 on Sunday, January 26. Leading the charge is local grinder Mark Almusajin, who has consistently kept the lead all throughout the day.

Chip Counts

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	433,500(145 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	225,000(75 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	180,000(60 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	172,000(57 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	155,500(52 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	148,000(49 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	141,000(47 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	132,000(44 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	127,500(43 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	127,500(43 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	107,500(36 BB)
PE Paul ElliottUnited Kingdom	106,000(35 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	100,000(33 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	70,000(23 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	64,000(21 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	57,500(19 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	53,000(18 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	33,500(11 BB)

Break

Remaining Players: 18/83

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:32:02 PM

Paul Elliott Snowballs to Victory

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Paul Elliott

Paul Elliott pushed all-in for 48,000 against an utg open and saw Sergei Korzhenko cold call on the small blind. Initial raiser went out of the way, leaving the two to showdown.

Running a flip, Korzhenko instantly spiked the advantage on board 6♦ A♠ 3♣ Q♣ , up until the river 8h landed Elliot a set to turn the tables.

Player	Hand	Chips
PE Paul ElliottUnited Kingdom	8♦8♠ CO	106,000(42 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	A♥K♣ SB	141,000(56 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:28:14 PM

Ricardo Torres Wins Blind Battle

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Ricardo Torres

A blind vs blind battle saw Ilia Timofeev open to 7,000, called behind by Ricardo Torres. Timofeev continued for 6,000 on flop K♣ 8♦ 3♥ , and saw Torres raise to 12,500. Timofeev made it 30,000 to go, and Torres completed onto turn 8♣ . Timofeev didn't hesitate to lead all-in, called by Torres for his last 22,500.

Ilia Timofeev K♠ Q♣

Ricardo Torres 9♦ 8♥

Timofeev in rough shape against trip eights, booked the loss as river 6♠ completed the board.

Player	Chips
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	121,500(49 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	99,000(40 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:25:22 PM

Mark Almusajin Crushes with Rockets

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Mark Almusajin

Patrick Wahlquist defended his big blind against Mark Almusajin's 5,000 hijack open, and check called two streets - 7,000 and 17,000, on board K♣ 3♥ Q♦ 8♣ . River 5♣ was checked down by both, revealing Wahlquist's top pair K♠ 7♠ , behind against Almusajin's A♦ A♠ all the way.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	438,000(175 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	171,000(68 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:23:21 PM

Vamerdino Magsakay Lands a Boost

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Vamerdino Magsakay

With three limps ahead, Vamerdino Magsakay bumped it up to 14,500 on the big blind, and saw two continue to flop J♥ 5♦ 2♠ . Action checked to Darren Moves on the button, pushing him to bet 15,000. Magsakay raised to 42,000 and shipped the pot straight away.

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	174,500(70 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	169,000(68 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:10:35 PM

Slam Dunk Win for Maxim Fana

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Maxim Fana

Maxim Fana sent out a 17,000 three bet against an utg open and saw Daito Kamei on the big blind, shove for 59,000. Initial raiser opted out, leaving Fana to call for a showdown.

Board K♥ 3♦ A♠ J♣ A♦ instantly went Fana's way, quickly securing the pot with a boat while Kamei bound for the exit.

Player	Hand	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	A♣K♦ D	145,000(58 BB)
DK Daito KameiJapan	8♦8♥ BB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:04:47 PM

Naohiro Arita Gets a Payday

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Naohiro Arita

With 31,500 in the middle across board A♠ T♦ K♦ 9♣ , Ricardo Torres shot out a bet of 7,000 and was called behind by Naohiro Arita. On river 9♠ , Torres decided to slow down and check to Arita, who bet a hefty 26,500. Torres found the call, only to muck as Arita tabled trip nines 9♦ 8♦ .

Player	Chips
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	116,000(46 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	80,500(32 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 2:01:20 PM

Sergei Korzhenko Denies Rey Roca Showdown

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Sergei Korzhenko

Sergei Korzhenko opened 5,500 on the hijack and was joined by Rey Roca on the small blind. Action on flop Q♥ A♣ T♥ was checked round to turn 4♣ , where Korzhenko bet 10,000. Roca check called, yet gave it up by the river 3♦ after Korzhenko went for another 16,000.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	171,000(68 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	38,000(15 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:59:11 PM

Daito Kamei Pays the Price

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Daito Kamei

Masahiro Toyoda defended his big blind vs Daito Kamei's 6,000 button open, and went on to lead 6,000 on flop A♥ 9♠ 3♣ . Kamei called behind, revealing turn Q♦ . Both checked it through to river 6♠ , where Toyoda bet a final 17,000. Kamei paid the price and mucked as Toyoda showed two pair Q♠ 9♣ .

Player	Chips
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	126,000(50 BB)
DK Daito KameiJapan	62,000(25 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:52:23 PM

Ho Tai Tsai Takes a Gamble, Triples Up

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Ho Tai Tsai

Naohiro Arita opened 5,500 on the hijack, followed by an all-in for 23,000 from Roxanne Victorino right behind. Small blind cold called, leaving Ho Tai Tsai on the big blind to reshove for 36,500. Arita came out on top, pushing the small blind out of the way.

In for a race, board 9♦ 4♥ 4♠ 6♠ Q♣ landed in Tsai's favor, earning him a full triple up with two pair.

Player	Hand	Chips
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	9♣8♣ BB	121,500(49 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	A♦K♥ HJ	51,000(20 BB)
RV Roxanne Victorino	A♣J♥ CO	busted

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 21/83

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:49:12 PM

Teruhisa Aoyama Wins with the Ladies

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Teruhisa Aoyama

Facing a late position open and a three bet, Hogyun Kang squeezed all-in on the small blind for 88,000, and was snap called by Teruhisa Aoyama.

Kang drawing slim, found no hope on board 6♦ T♥ 2♦ 7♥ K♠ , eliminating him from today's Main Event flight.

Player	Hand	Chips
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	Q♠Q♣ D	245,000(123 BB)
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	4♦4♠ SB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:46:20 PM

Mark Almusajin Finishes Brenton Buttigieg

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Brenton Buttigieg opened on the hijack, and went on to four bet jam 55,500 in against Mark Almusajin's raise from the small blind. Almusajin called off, putting his opponent at risk over a flip.

Board K♦ Q♣ 3♥ 7♠ 8♦ missed to fill up Buttigieg's suited connectors, shipping Almusajin the pot with his pocket pair.

Player	Hand	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	9♦9♣ SB	438,000(219 BB)
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	J♠T♠ HJ	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:38:20 PM

Mark Almusajin Running Good

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Mark Almusajin

With a pot 11,000 situated on flop Q♠ 3♦ 4♦ , Brenton Buttigieg fired a bet of 5,500, and called a check raise to 16,000 from Mark Almusajin on the big blind. On turn T♦ , Almusajin sent out another 18,000, followed by a final 44,000 on river 5♠ . Buttigieg called him down, yet mucked as Almusajin revealed nut flush A♦ 6♦ .

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	378,500(189 BB)
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	55,500(28 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:34:57 PM

Quick Scoop for Ilia Timofeev

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Ilia Timofeev

Martin Gonzales open shoved 29,000, and saw Ilia Timofeev behind, rise to the challenge.

Dominated, Gonzales headed out shortly after board 4♦ T♦ 4♠ 2♣ Q♣ felted no nines.

Player	Hand	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	J♦J♠ CO	214,000(107 BB)
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	9♠9♣ MP	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:33:28 PM

Darren Moves Shaves Some Off Rick Jason Ambata

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Darren Moves

With 19,000 in the middle across board 6♦ 2♣ 3♥ 4♣ , Darren Moves made a go for it with a bet of 7,000. Rick Jason Ambata called behind, and paid another 20,000 on river A♣ , only to muck as Moves showed a straight 5♠ 3♠ .

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	156,000(78 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	88,000(44 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:31:51 PM

Maxim Fana Wins a Showdown

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Maxim Fana

Darren Moves opened 5,000 on the hijack, and was called by the button along with Maxim Fana on the big blind. On flop 3♣ J♥ 4♣ , Moves continued for 10,000, check called by Fana. Both turn 4♦ and river A♥ welcomed no more bets, revealing Fana's 7♠ 7♣ , good for the win.

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	119,000(60 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	118,000(59 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:29:51 PM

Naohiro Arita Wins Flip to Survive

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Naohiro Arita

Ho Tai Tsai opened 5,500 and called Naohiro Arita's all-in on the button for 32,000 total.

In for a flip, board J♠ 3♥ Q♣ 5♦ 8♥ went in favor of Arita's overcards, keeping him in the Main Event games.

Player	Hand	Chips
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	A♥Q♦ D	69,000(35 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	7♥7♣ MP	65,000(33 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:26:57 PM

Ilia Timofeev Takes It Down

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Ilia Timofeev

A five way limp pot rolled a flop of J♥ 2♠ 2♦ . Action checked to Ilia Timofeev, who bet 4,500. Ricardo Torres and Roxanne Victorino on the big blind, stuck around to see turn K♠ . Timofeev barreled another 5,500 and saw both continue once more to river 4♣ . All three checked it down, revealing Timofeev's two pair good for the win.

Player	Hand	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	K♥7♥ CO	151,000(76 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	J♣7♣ D	130,500(65 BB)
RV Roxanne Victorino	J♠T♠ BB	9,500(5 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:24:38 PM

Mark Almusajin Continues to Rise

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Mark Almusajin opened to 4,500, joined by Teruhisa Aoyama on the button along with the big blind onto flop A♦ 2♦ 6♣ . Almusajin continued for 5,500, called by Aoyama. Both players checked turn A♣ through to river 3♣ , where Almusajin bet a final 9,000. Aoyama gave it up, shipping Almusajin another boost to his already healthy stack.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	310,000(155 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	148,000(74 BB)

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/83

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 1:09:40 PM

Main Event Flight A Registration Closes at 83 Entries

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

This season's Main Event initial flight drew in a total of 83 entries across registration, with only 15% of the field at 13 players set to advance to Day 2. Three more flights will follow suit, each playing down to ITM.

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)

Starting stack: 30,000

Flight A: 83 entries, 13 ITM

Flight B: Friday, January 24

Flight C: Saturday, January 25

Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, January 25

Day 2: Sunday, January 26

Final Day: Monday, January 27

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/83

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:30:27 PM

Chip Count Update

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Mark Almusajin

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	287,500(192 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	177,000(118 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	165,000(110 BB)
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	141,000(94 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	138,000(92 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	123,000(82 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	120,000(80 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	118,000(79 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	107,000(71 BB)
DK Daito KameiJapan	101,000(67 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	98,000(65 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	93,200(62 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	70,000(47 BB)
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	70,000(47 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	58,000(39 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	53,000(35 BB)
PE Paul ElliottUnited Kingdom	53,000(35 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	48,000(32 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	43,000(29 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	33,000(22 BB)
TY Takahiko Yachiya	30,000(20 BB)
RV Roxanne Victorino	30,000(20 BB)
LT Leslie TsuiHong Kong	30,000(20 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	30,000(20 BB)
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	30,000(20 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	25,500(17 BB)
BV Bernard VuFrance	22,000(15 BB)

Break

Remaining Players: 28/82

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:23:01 PM

Hogyun Kang Sweeps the Table

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Hogyun Kang

Hogyun Kang opened on the button and was met with two all-ins from Patrick Wahlquist and Naohiro Arita (9,000). Kang put in the final call for his entire 40,000, making it a three way showdown.

Kang with the best hand, scooped it all as board K♦ 2♥ 7♦ 3♥ 6♣ ran safe for his pair of aces.

Player	Hand	Chips
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	A♥A♠ D	90,200(75 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	5♠5♣ SB	165,000(138 BB)
NA Naohiro AritaJapan	K♥T♥ BB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:18:54 PM

Teruhisa Aoyama Flops the World

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Teruhisa Aoyama

Teruhisa Aoyama opened utg and called an 8,000 three bet from Patrick Wahlquist behind. On flop 3♣ 4♣ 4♦ , Aoyama pulled a check raise to 15,500, and called for his remaining 21,600 after Wahlquist moved all-in.

Patrick Wahlquist Q♥ Q♠

Teruhisa Aoyama 5♥ 4♥

Aoyama a huge favorite, sealed the win just as turn 5♦ and river J♠ completed the board.

Player	Chips
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	123,000(103 BB)
TA Teruhisa AoyamaJapan	93,200(78 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:10:43 PM

Rick Jason Ambata Ahead All the Way

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Rick Jason Ambata

With 9,700 in the middle on flop J♥ 7♠ K♦ , action saw all three check round to turn 5♠ , where Rick Jason Ambata bet 3,300. Both opponents called to river Q♠ , pushing Bernard Vu to lead out 6,000. Ambata called him down with two pair K♥ J♠ and found it good against Vu's Q♣ J♦ .

Player	Chips
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	116,000(97 BB)
BV Bernard VuFrance	25,000(21 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:10:31 PM

Martin Gonzales Scoops a Big Double Up

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Martin Gonzales

Martin Gonzales opened 3,500 on the button following a limp, and saw Ricardo Torres squeeze all-in on the big blind. Gonzales called off for his entire 41,800, and found himself in for a flip.

Board 7♦ J♥ J♣ 7♣ A♠ landed Gonzales' way, propelling him to a big stack.

Player	Hand	Chips
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	A♦K♥ D	86,600(72 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	6♦6♥ BB	126,000(105 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:08:03 PM

Top Pair Holds Strong for Ma Carmen Esdaile

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Ma Carmen Esdaile

A button vs big blind battle brewed a pot of 9,700 in the middle on flop J♥ 6♣ A♥ . Kyoungsun Lee bet 5,000, and called Ma Carmen Esdaile's check jam for 9,400 more.

Ma Carmen Esdaile A♠ 7♣

Kyoungsun Lee Q♥ J♠

Esdaile with the advantage, secured the double up as her top pair held through on runout 9♣ 3♦ .

Player	Chips
KL Kyoungsun Lee	58,200(49 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	39,500(33 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:04:49 PM

Joris Michl Heads Out the Door

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Joris Michl

Joris Michl pushed all-in utg for his last 12,700 and was looked up by Sergei Korzhenko behind.

Michl dominated, bowed out shortly after board 7♥ A♥ 3♦ Q♠ 5♥ failed to save him from his demise.

Player	Hand	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	A♦J♦ CO	213,000(178 BB)
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	A♣4♣ UTG	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:03:04 PM

Oleg Mordassov Risks It All

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Oleg Mordassov

Ilia Timofeev opened 2,400 on the hijack and was called by three other players behind. On flop 4♥ 5♣ 2♥ , Oleg Mordassov led all-in, leaving all three unable to continue.

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	88,000(73 BB)
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	27,300(23 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 12:00:46 PM

Darren Moves Gets a Lucky Runout

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Darren Moves

Darren Moves opened 2,800 utg, joined by Maxim Fana and another player onto flop K♦ 5♠ 8♦ . Moves continued for 7,000, raised by Fana to 21,000. Moves came back with an all-in for 69,000 total, and Fana made the final call with two pair.

Darren Moves A♦ K♣

Maxim Fana K♥ 8♥

Moves in trouble, lucked out just as turn J♦ and river Q♦ rolled two more diamonds, giving him a flush to steal the win.

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	149,400(125 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	32,000(27 BB)

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 30/80

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:56:49 AM

Roxanne Victorino Saved by the River

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Roxanne Victorino

With a pot of 11,800 in the middle on flop J♥ K♦ 3♣ , Ma Carmen Esdaile bet 5,500, and was check called by Roxanne Victorino on the big blind. Esdaile followed with an all-in on turn Q♣ , called by Victorino for her last 9,000.

Ma Carmen Esdaile J♠ J♣

Roxanne Victorino A♥ 7♥

Victorino with a draw, found one of her outs on river T♣ , sparing her from elimination.

Player	Chips
RV Roxanne Victorino	40,800(34 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	21,300(18 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:52:44 AM

Pocket Pair Holds for Daito Kamei

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Daito Kamei

Daito Kamei opened 2,500 utg+1, called behind by Darren Moves along with the big blind. On flop 4♥ 8♠ Q♦ , Kamei continued for 3,000, raised by Moves to 8,000. Kamei completed, revealing turn J♣ . Both checked, and saw no more bets come in on river 5♠ , tabling Kamei's 9♦ 9♣ good for the pot.

Player	Chips
DK Daito KameiJapan	149,000(124 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	92,000(77 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:51:01 AM

Rick Jason Ambata Spikes the River

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Rick Jason Ambata

Rick Jason Ambata opened utg+1 and called a 7,000 three bet from Ilia Timofeev a seat after. Action on board 8♥ 2♠ 9♠ 7♦ 3♠ was checked to the river, where Ambata led 9,000. Timofeev found the call, and mucked as Ambata showed a set 3♦ 3♥ .

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	83,000(69 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	54,000(45 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:48:18 AM

Maxim Fana Gets Three Streets of Value In

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Maxim Fana

Vamerdino Magsakay opened 2,700 on the hijack, and was called behind by Maxim Fana along with the big blind. Action on flop A♦ 3♠ Q♥ was checked to Fana, who bet 2,500. Magsakay check called, and faced another 8,200 on turn 5♦ . Magsakay unfazed, continued to river 3♦ , and paid a final 22,200, only to muck as Fana revealed trip threes 4♣ 3♣ .

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	139,000(116 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	88,000(73 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:43:49 AM

Sergei Korzhenko Outflops Cezar Quiambao

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Sergei Korzhenko

Cezar Quiambao opened 2,500 utg and was met with a 7,500 three bet from Sergei Korzhenko right behind. Quiambao responded with another raise to 18,000, called by his opponent.

Action on flop A♣ 4♥ 8♣ was checked round to turn 2♠ , where Quiambao bet 12,000. Korzhenko made the call, and paid a final 20,000 on river 3♥ for a showdown.

Quiambao revealed K♥ K♣ , no good against Korzhenko's top pair A♠ Q♥ .

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	176,200(147 BB)
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	16,000(13 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:41:00 AM

Kyoungsun Lee Doubles Through Sun Chao Hsuan

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Kyoungsun Lee

With 6,600 in the middle on flop 3♦ 9♥ 7♥ , both stacks rushed to the middle with Kyoungsun Lee at risk for his remaining 21,900 against Sun Chao Hsuan.

Kyoungsun Lee K♥ 9♣

Sun Chao Hsuan 7♦ 6♦

Lee ahead with top pair, locked in the double up after Sun failed to improve on either turn J♥ or river J♠ .

Player	Chips
KL Kyoungsun Lee	50,400(42 BB)
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	17,300(14 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:38:00 AM

Quick Takedown by Seonghun Jeong

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Seonghun Jeong

Sergei Korzhenko opened 2,600 on the button and saw both players on the blinds continue to flop J♦ A♣ A♦ . Korzhenko bet 2,200, yet immediately folded after Seonghun Jeong check raised to 5,000.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	125,400(105 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	47,200(39 BB)

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 31/73

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:17:56 AM

River Rolls for Patrick Wahlquist

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Patrick Wahlquist

A three way raised pot saw Cezar Quiambao continue for 5,000 on flop 4♠ A♠ 5♣ . Both opponents called to see turn 3♣ , where Patrick Wahlquist led 15,000 off the big blind. Quiambao made the call, and arrived at showdown shortly after river J♠ welcomed no more bets.

Wahlquist showed flush T♠ 2♠ and scooped up the pot.

Player	Chips
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	126,000(126 BB)
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	47,300(47 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:16:27 AM

Sun Chao Hsuan Finishes Taeil Yun

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Sun Chao Hsuan

Sun Chao Hsuan raised all-in on the button and saw Taeil Yun call off for his last 17,000.

Crushed against the rockets, Yun exited the arena shortly after board A♠ 3♦ 9♠ J♥ 6♠ rolled on the felt.

Player	Hand	Chips
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	A♦A♣ D	52,300(52 BB)
TY Taeil YunSouth Korea	5♠4♣ SB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:13:25 AM

Ricardo Torres Bags Big

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Ricardo Torres sent out a 5,500 three bet vs Taeil Yun's utg open and saw both Yun and the big blind come along on flop 4♣ 4♠ 8♣ . Action checked round to turn 9♥ , where player on the big blind led 11,000. Yun shoved all-in, and was cold called behind by Torres for his entire 73,000. Big blind opted out, leaving the two to showdown.

Taeil Yun A♣ 9♣

Ricardo Torres 8♥ 8♣

Yun drawing dead against Torres' boat, forked over a huge chunk of his stack just as river 3♦ completed the board.

Player	Chips
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	175,000(175 BB)
TY Taeil YunSouth Korea	17,200(17 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:11:52 AM

Darren Moves Fills Up on the River

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Darren Moves

With a pot of 40,400 in the middle across board 4♣ 9♥ J♣ 2♣ 5♦ , Darren Moves shot out a final bet of 15,000. Hogyun Kang check called from the big blind, and mucked as Moves showed wheel straight A♣ 3♣ .

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	125,000(125 BB)
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	11,600(12 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 11:08:17 AM

Set Wins It for Ricardo Torres

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Ricardo Torres

Facing an open and a call, Kyoungsun Lee squeezed to 6,000 on the button, and saw Ricardo Torres continue to flop 6♠ 4♣ 3♥ . Action checked round to turn 9♥ , where no bets went in once more. On river 8♣ , Torres led 7,000, called by Lee for a showdown.

Torres revealed a set 4♦ 4♠ , crushing Lee's ace-high A♠ Q♣ on all streets

Player	Chips
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	66,000(66 BB)
KL Kyoungsun Lee	14,200(14 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:50:55 AM

Mark Almusajin Extends Lead

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Mark Almusajin

A pot of 13,000 was seen spread out across flop 5♦ T♣ 7♥ . Mark Almusajin on the button, bet 4,000, followed with another 11,000 on turn 3♣ . Daniel Francis check called both streets, and paid a final all-in for his remaining 17,000 on river 4♣ with top pair T♠ 9♦ . Almusajin showed a better A♣ T♥ , and sent his opponent out the door.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	203,000(203 BB)
DF Daniel FrancisUnited Kingdom	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:49:33 AM

Daniel Francis Surrenders

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Daniel Francis

With a pot of 28,700 in the middle across board 6♥ A♠ 4♥ 9♥ , Ilia Timofeev on the button, made a go for it with a bet of 9,500. Daniel Francis quickly surrendered, giving up the pot to Timofeev.

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	125,300(125 BB)
DF Daniel FrancisUnited Kingdom	38,700(39 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:47:56 AM

Cezar Quiambao Wins Preflop War

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Cezar Quiambao

Patrick Wahlquist opened 2,000 on the cutoff, and was met with a 6,000 three bet from Cezar Quiambao right behind. Wahlquist responded with another raise to 14,000, yet folded after Quiambao bumped it further to 22,000.

Player	Chips
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	105,000(105 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	52,000(52 BB)

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/66

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:29:17 AM

Chip Count Update

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Mark Almusajin

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	160,100(160 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	140,000(140 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	108,000(108 BB)
DK Daito KameiJapan	102,000(102 BB)
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	84,200(84 BB)
VM Vamerdino MagsakayPhilippines	79,500(80 BB)
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	79,000(79 BB)
RV Roxanne Victorino	79,000(79 BB)
MT Masahiro ToyodaJapan	79,000(79 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	74,000(74 BB)
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	58,000(58 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	58,000(58 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	55,000(55 BB)
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	52,400(52 BB)
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	48,000(48 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	46,200(46 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	46,000(46 BB)
PE Paul ElliottUnited Kingdom	44,200(44 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	43,000(43 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	41,300(41 BB)
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	38,800(39 BB)
BV Bernard VuFrance	35,800(36 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	35,200(35 BB)
DF Daniel FrancisUnited Kingdom	34,000(34 BB)
JC John ConstinianoPhilippines	31,900(32 BB)
ED Emmanuel DerechoPhilippines	31,000(31 BB)
SA Sangjin AnSouth Korea	30,300(30 BB)
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	30,000(30 BB)
KL Kyoungsun Lee	29,200(29 BB)
CK Carsten KlugGermany	22,000(22 BB)
TY Takahiko Yachiya	14,000(14 BB)
TY Taeil YunSouth Korea	13,500(14 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	7,100(7 BB)

Break

Remaining Players: 33/63

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:09:24 AM

Maxim Fana Collects From Ho Tai Tsai

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Maxim Fana

With 9,500 situated in the middle across board 2♥ 7♣ 6♥ A♠ 8♣ , Ho Tai Tsai led out a bet of 3,500 from the small blind, and called 7,500 more following a raise from Maxim Fana behind. Fana showed A♦ 8♥ and shipped the pot as Tsai tossed his hand in the muck.

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	59,000(74 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	30,000(38 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:02:43 AM

Darren Moves Takes Initiative

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Darren Moves

Brenton Buttigieg opened 1,600 on the hijack and was joined by four more players to flop 8♦ 5♥ T♠ . Action was checked to Darren Moves on the cutoff, allowing him to bet 5,000. All else folded, easily earning Moves the pot.

Player	Chips
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	68,700(86 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	58,600(73 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:00:29 AM

Ilia Timofeev Collects in Full

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

A four way raised pot dealt a flop of T♥ 5♦ A♠ . Action was checked to Ilia Timofeev on the button, pushing him to bet 2,000. Rick Jason Ambata check raised to 6,000, and followed with another 12,000 on turn Q♦ . Timofeev called down to river 4♦ , where he bet all-in for his remaining 34,000. Ambata paid the price with two pair A♣ T♦ , only to take a loss as Timofeev revealed nut flush A♦ 3♦ .

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	113,000(141 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	37,600(47 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 10:00:29 AM

Ilia Timofeev Collects in Full

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Ilia Timofeev

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	113,000(141 BB)
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	37,600(47 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:58:23 AM

Ma Carmen Esdaile Flops Quads

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Ma Carmen Esdaile

On his second bullet, John Constiniano raised all-in on the big blind and saw cutoff raiser Ma Carmen Esdaile call off for her entire 14,100.

In for a flip, board 6♠ 4♠ 6♥ 9♦ K♥ instantly left Constiniano drawing dead against quads, costing him half his stack straight away.

Player	Hand	Chips
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	6♦6♣ CO	29,400(37 BB)
JC John ConstinianoPhilippines	K♠J♦ BB	15,100(19 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:57:06 AM

Bernard Vu Gets Shove Through

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Bernard Vu

With a pot of 9,000 in the middle across board 8♠ 5♦ 9♠ 2♠ , Maxim Fana pulled out a bet of 5,200 yet folded after Bernard Vu check jammed for 37,500 total.

Player	Chips
BV Bernard VuFrance	51,700(65 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	28,200(35 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:55:11 AM

Patrick Wahlquist Leaves Daito Kamei Unable to Continue

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Patrick Wahlquist

With 21,900 spread out across board K♦ A♥ 5♠ 5♦ , Patrick Wahlquist on the button, made an attempt for it with a bet of 6,000. Daito Kamei surrendered, shipping Wahlquist the boost to crack 100K.

Player	Chips
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	103,700(130 BB)
DK Daito KameiJapan	91,300(114 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:39:12 AM

John Constiniano Suffers Bad Beat

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

John Constiniano

A four way raised pot dealt a flop of 4♠ 2♦ 7♥ . John Constiniano bet all-in for his last 2,700, called by Ho Tai Tsai with his pocket pair.

John Constiniano 4♦ 2♥

Ho Tai Tsai 5♠ 5♣

Constiniano ahead with two pair, was crushed to see runout 8♦ 8♥ roll on board, giving Tsai the win to deliver his bust.

Player	Chips
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	59,300(74 BB)
JC John ConstinianoPhilippines	busted

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 33/59

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:33:57 AM

Double Barrel Works for Cezar Quiambao

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Cezar Quiambao

Cezar Quiambao opened 1,500 on the cutoff and saw both players on the blinds come along on flop K♦ J♦ T♣ . Quiambao continued for 1,100, check called by Seonghun Jeong. On turn 8♠ , Quiambao pulled another 3,800, enough to push Jeong out of the pot.

Player	Chips
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	73,400(122 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	49,200(82 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:31:04 AM

Ladies Hold Up for Sergei Korzhenko

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Sergei Korzhenko

Following an open and a call, Sergei Korzhenko fired a 5,600 three bet from the big blind and saw both opponents continue to flop 3♠ 3♣ 9♥ . Korzhenko led 3,700, weeding out none onto turn T♠ . Korzhenko barreled another 18,000, and was followed by an all-in from Oleg Mordassov for 3,300 more. Korzhenko made the call, putting Mordassov at risk.

Oleg Mordassov 8♠ 7♠

Sergei Korzhenko Q♦ Q♠

River 7♦ bricked for Mordassov, knocking him out of the Main Event running.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	134,000(223 BB)
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:29:02 AM

Roxanne Victorino Sends William Jones Packing

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Roxanne Victorino

With 6,500 in the pot on flop Q♣ J♦ A♦ , two stacks rushed to the middle - William Jones at risk for his entire 25,000 against Roxanne Victorino.

William Jones A♠ T♦

Roxanne Victorino A♥ K♥

Victorino ahead, scooped up the win just as runout 5♥ 7♦ ran dry.

Player	Chips
RV Roxanne Victorino	82,000(137 BB)
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:27:05 AM

Ho Tai Tsai Calls Down John Constiniano

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

John Constiniano

With 5,700 in the middle on flop, action was caught on John Constiniano with a bet of 2,600. Ho Tai Tsai check called, and did so for another 6,800 on turn J♥ . On river T♣ , Constiniano decided to check back, revealing Tsai's pair of sevens A♣ 7♣ , good for the win.

Player	Chips
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	49,400(82 BB)
JC John ConstinianoPhilippines	27,000(45 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:23:59 AM

Hogyun Kang Ships a Boost

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Hogyun Kang

Ho Tai Tsai opened to 2,100, joined behind by Hogyun Kang onto flop J♠ 9♣ 8♦ . Tsai continued for 2,500 and was called by Kang onto turn Q♣ . Tsai this time, opted to check call for 3,500, and pay another 5,400 on river 4♦ . Kang showed straight T♦ 9♦ and collected the pot.

Player	Chips
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	56,300(94 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	36,000(60 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:05:16 AM

Mark Almusajin Zooms to the Top

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Mark Almusajin

Mark Almusajin opened to 1,900, raised by Edilberto Gopez on the button to 3,500. Almusajin bumped it up further to 11,000, and Gopez completed. On flop Q♥ 3♠ 2♠ , Almusajin continued for 9,000, and snap called Gopez' all-in for 56,700 total.

Edilberto Gopez A♠ K♦

Mark Almusajin A♦ A♥

Gopez in rough shape, found no hope on runout T♦ 2♣ , knocking him out of the Main Event qualifier.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	144,500(241 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:03:00 AM

Brenton Buttigieg Extracts Value

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Brenton Buttigieg

Brenton Buttigieg opened 1,500 on the hijack and was called by two players behind. Action on board 9♥ J♣ T♠ 8♠ 7♥ was checked all the way down to the river, where Buttigieg fired a final 4,000. Claude Henoud made the call, and mucked as Buttigieg revealed a queen-high straight A♣ Q♥ .

Player	Chips
BB Brenton ButtigiegAustralia	76,200(127 BB)
CH Claude HenoudCanada	9,500(16 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 9:00:57 AM

Emmanuel Derecho Demands for the Rest

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Emmanuel Derecho

Daniel Francis opened 1,500 utg+1, called behind by Emmanuel Derecho along with the big blind. Action on flop 5♦ 3♥ K♦ was checked to Derecho, pushing him to bet 2,500. Big blind called, followed by a raise from Francis to 10,000. Only Derecho stuck around to see turn J♥ , where Francis decided to check back. On river T♣ , Francis checked once more, and folded after Derecho barreled all-in.

Player	Chips
ED Emmanuel DerechoPhilippines	67,900(113 BB)
DF Daniel FrancisUnited Kingdom	21,300(36 BB)

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 39/53

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:59:11 AM

One Jab Does the Job for Joshua Cuevas

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Joshua Cuevas

Up against an early open and a call, Joshua Cuevas sent out a 3,500 three bet on the cutoff, and saw Seonghun Jeong complete. Cuevas continued for 5,500 on flop 5♥ A♥ Q♣ , enough to get Jeong to surrender.

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	56,000(112 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	38,500(77 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:39:56 AM

Top Pair Good for Sangjin An

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Sangjin An

With 8,200 in the middle on flop 3♠ 5♠ Q♦ , action was caught on Edilberto Gopez with a bet of 2,500. Sangjin An check called, and did so once more on turn K♠ for 6,500. On river 6♦ , Gopez decided to check back, revealing An's top pair K♦ 9♦ , good for the win.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	60,000(120 BB)
SA Sangjin AnSouth Korea	47,000(94 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:36:37 AM

Cezar Quiambao Pulls the Trigger

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Cezar Quiambao opened 1,200 utg and was joined by four other players onto flop 6♥ 3♠ 5♣ . Big blind led 3,500, pushing one player out of the pot. On turn A♠ , Quiambao went for an 11,000 bet and saw only Joshua Cuevas call behind. Quiambao pulled the trigger on river J♥ for 21,800, and finally convinced Cuevas to lay it down.

Player	Chips
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	64,300(129 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	35,200(70 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:34:10 AM

Mark Almusajin Picks Up Another Pot

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

A button vs big blind battle brewed a pot of 22,600 across board A♣ 5♦ 7♣ 3♠ . Mark Almusajin led for 4,700, followed by a hefty 25,000 on river 8♥ . Carsten Klug called the turn bet but gave it up after Almusajin demanded for more.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	86,300(173 BB)
CK Carsten KlugGermany	20,200(40 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:31:15 AM

Mark Almusajin Smashes Board

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Mark Almusajin

With 5,100 in the middle on flop 6♠ Q♦ J♠ , four way action saw Mark Almusajin lead 1,500 utg, followed by an all-in from Ricardo Torres for 5,500. All three made the call onto turn A♥ , where Almusajin fired another 8,500. Ilia Timofeev called behind, yet folded on river 2♦ after Almusajin moved all-in.

Almusajin showed two pair A♠ J♥ , leaving Torres' Q♠ 9♣ crushed by the turn.

Player	Chips
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	69,400(139 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	26,600(53 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:29:13 AM

Cezar Quiambao Collects a Boost

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Cezar Quiambao

Cezar Quiambao opened 1,200 utg, called behind by Seonghun Jeong along with the big blind. On flop 2♣ 2♠ Q♠ , Quiambao bet 800 and saw only Jeong continue to turn 2♥ . Both checked it through to river 4♣ , where Quiambao led 6,000. Jeong paid the price, and mucked as Quiambao revealed a boat A♥ Q♣ .

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	56,100(112 BB)
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	39,500(79 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:26:27 AM

Patrick Wahlquist Serves Elimination

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Patrick Wahlquist

Patrick Wahlquist opened 1,100 utg, called behind by Peter Da. On flop 8♦ K♥ T♦ , Wahlquist continued for 1,000, and put out 10,200 more following an all-in from Da.

Peter Da K♠ Q♠

Patrick Wahlquist A♦ 3♦

Wahlquist in search for a diamond, immediately found one on runout 5♦ J♦ , earning him the pot with an ace-high flush.

Player	Chips
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	65,300(131 BB)
PD Peter DaNorway	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:22:10 AM

Gareth Gardner Bows Out

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Gareth Gardner

Gareth Gardner raised all-in on the hijack for his last 7,600 and was called by both Daniel Francis and Bernard Vu on the blinds. Board 2♥ 5♠ 2♣ A♥ 9♠ was checked to showdown, leaving Francis' king-high good for the takedown.

Player	Hand	Chips
DF Daniel FrancisUnited Kingdom	K♠Q♥ SB	54,500(109 BB)
BV Bernard VuFrance	J♣T♠ BB	9,200(18 BB)
GG Gareth GardnerUnited Kingdom	Q♦J♦ HJ	busted

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 38/46

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:20:05 AM

Top Chip Counts

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Rick Jason Ambata

Player	Chips
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	88,700(177 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	71,300(143 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	66,500(133 BB)
SK Sergei Korzhenko	63,100(126 BB)
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	54,200(108 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	53,100(106 BB)
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	51,300(103 BB)
ED Emmanuel DerechoPhilippines	50,500(101 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	50,200(100 BB)
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	47,600(95 BB)
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	43,000(86 BB)
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	38,000(76 BB)
SA Sangjin AnSouth Korea	37,000(74 BB)

Break

Remaining Players: 35/43

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:17:32 AM

Darren Moves Hangs On

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Darren Moves

Following an open and a call, Darren Moves pushed his last 5,000 in the middle, and was called by both William Jones and Rey Roca. Action on board T♥ 6♠ A♣ 6♥ A♥ was checked all the way to showdown, shipping Moves the triple up for his full house.

Player	Hand	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	A♠Q♥ D	16,000(40 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	K♠T♠ UTG+1	4,900(12 BB)
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	J♣4♣ UTG	8,800(22 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:15:55 AM

One Bet Works for Maxim Fana

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Maxim Fana

A three way raised pot saw action on flop 8♣ Q♠ 5♥ check to Maxim Fana on the button. Fana bet 3,500, leaving both Hogyun Kang and William Jones unable to continue.

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	51,000(128 BB)
HK Hogyun KangSouth Korea	43,000(108 BB)
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	13,800(35 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:13:15 AM

Edilberto Gopez Wins By Default

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Ricardo Torres opened utg and called a 2,500 three bet from Edilberto Gopez right behind. On flop 7♣ Q♥ 9♣ , Torres faced a 4,000 continuation bet and responded with a raise to 8,500. Gopez made the call, and called another 5,500 on turn 5♣ . On river 9♦ , Torres sent out a final 14,000, yet mucked after Gopez paid the price.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	76,400(191 BB)
RT Ricardo Torres (2)Philippines	4,200(11 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:08:09 AM

Maxwell Rosete Leaves Oleg Mordassov Unable to Continue

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Maxwell Rosete

Oleg Mordassov completed his big blind vs Maxwell Rosete's 900 utg open, and went on to check raise 3,500 on flop K♣ 8♠ 2♦ . Rosete completed, revealing turn T♠ . Both checked it through to river 2♣ , where Rosete shot out a final bet of 7,500. Mordassov gave it up and tossed his hand in the muck.

Player	Chips
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	37,800(95 BB)
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	32,400(81 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:06:45 AM

Emmanuel Derecho Bets to Win

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Emmanuel Derecho

Gareth Gardner opened 900 utg, called behind by Sun Chao Hsuan along with Emmanuel Derecho on the small blind. Action on board 6♦ 4♥ 9♠ J♥ 5♣ was checked down to the river, where Derecho led 2,000. Both slipped the fold, shipping Derecho the pot.

Player	Chips
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	51,900(130 BB)
ED Emmanuel DerechoPhilippines	51,000(128 BB)
GG Gareth GardnerUnited Kingdom	12,500(31 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:04:30 AM

Tens Good for Edilberto Gopez

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Edilberto Gopez

Edilberto Gopez opened 1,000 utg and called a 3,500 three bet from Lloyd Locsin on the small blind. On flop 7♣ 6♦ 3♦ , Gopez called another 3,500, revealing turn 7♥ . Both checked it through to river 3♠ , where Gopez gunned for a final 6,000. Locsin check called, only to muck as Gopez revealed T♠ T♣ .

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	45,600(114 BB)
LL Lloyd LocsinAustralia	20,400(51 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 8:00:57 AM

Oleg Mordassov Plays Big Blind Defense

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Oleg Mordassov

Oleg Mordassov defended his big blind against Patrick Wahlquist's 900 hijack open, and went on to lead 400 on flop 3♣ Q♣ 3♦ . Wahlquist raised to 2,100, called by his opponent. On turn 2♦ , Mordassov led 400 once more, and followed with 3,000 on river 2♣ , leaving Wahlquist to give it up by the final bet.

Player	Chips
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	53,300(133 BB)
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	34,700(87 BB)

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 26/33

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:30:42 AM

Daniel Francis Goes for an Overbet

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Daniel Francis

A blind vs blind battle built a pot of 6,500 across board 8♥ T♦ K♠ J♥ 5♦ . River action saw Daniel Francis bet 10,000, tank called by Bernard Vu right behind. Francis showed 8♦ 8♠ , and Bu mucked.

Player	Chips
DF Daniel FrancisUnited Kingdom	43,000(143 BB)
BV Bernard VuFrance	21,000(70 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:28:35 AM

William Wright Bows Out

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

William Wright

A pot of 16,000 centered around board T♦ J♠ 4♣ Q♦ . Action between William Wright and Sergei Korzhenko checked round to river 2♥ , where Korzhenko bet a final 7,000. Wright check jammed for 16,400 total, called by his opponent.

Wright showed K♥ T♥ , no good against Korzhenko's A♠ A♣ , sending him out entirely.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	79,300(264 BB)
WW William WrightUnited States of America	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:25:14 AM

Patrick Wahlquist Doubles Through Rey Roca

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Patrick Wahlquist

A four way raised pot dealt a flop of 2♠ 6♣ 8♥ . Rey Roca on the small blind, led out 1,600, called by the initial raiser. Patrick Wahlquist on the button, raised it up to 5,000, and saw only Roca continue to turn 7♣ . Wahlquist went for another 10,000, and called for his remaining 10,300 after Roca moved all-in.

Rey Roca T♠ 8♠

Patrick Wahlquist 2♦ 2♥

Crushed against a set, Roca booked the loss as river 7♠ completed the board, dropping down to two big blinds.

Player	Chips
PW Patrick WahlquistDenmark	55,300(184 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	700(2 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:24:30 AM

Sergei Korzhenko Bets to Win

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Sergei Korzhenko

With a pot of 11,700 in the middle across board K♣ 4♥ T♥ 2♦ , Sergei Korzhenko made a go for it with a bet of 8,500. Ho Tai Tsai check folded, shipping his opponent the win.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	56,000(187 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	41,300(138 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:20:13 AM

Rick Jason Ambata Tables Rockets

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Rick Jason Ambata

Edilberto Gopez sent out a 3,500 three bet against a button open, and saw Rick Jason Ambata cold call behind. On flop 2♦ 7♣ 4♦ , Gopez pulled a check raise to 16,000, called by his opponent. Ambata gunned for another 20,000 on turn 4♦ , enough to push Gopez out of the way. Ambata showed A♦ A♣ as he raked in the pot.

Player	Chips
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	87,000(290 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	39,300(131 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:16:41 AM

Joshua Cuevas Raises the Stakes

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Joshua Cuevas

Facing an open and a call, Ho Tai Tsai sent out a three bet to 2,500, and saw Seonghun Jeong bump it up further to 6,500. Joshua Cuevas on the big blind, cold five bet to 15,000, and picked up the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	55,500(185 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	51,800(173 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	41,000(137 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 7:13:55 AM

Seonghun Jeong Outpipped

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Seonghun Jeong

A three way raised pot dealt a flop of 2♦ 4♦ 5♣ . Action checked round to turn T♣ , where Joshua Cuevas bet 2,000. Seonghun Jeong on the big blind, check called, and arrived at showdown shortly after no more bets went in on river J♣ .

Jeong showed pair of tens Q♦ T♦ , no good against Cuevas' better kicker K♠ T♠ .

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	62,000(207 BB)
JC Joshua Cuevas	41,600(139 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:44:24 AM

Darren Moves Picks Up a Win

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Darren Moves

Darren Moves limped in and saw both players on the blinds come along on flop Q♥ 6♥ 9♦ . Checked to Moves, he bet 700, called by Ilia Timofeev. Both checked turn A♦ through to river 2♦ , where Moves bet 2,000. Timofeev opted out, shipping Moves the boost.

Player	Chips
IT Ilia TimofeevRussia	36,600(122 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	22,600(75 BB)

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/28

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:41:15 AM

Sun Chao Hsuan Stands Strong

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Sun Chao Hsuan

Emmanuel Derecho opened 600 utg+1, called by Sun Chao Hsuan behind, along with William Jones on the big blind. Action on flop 8♠ 5♦ T♣ was checked to Sun, who bet 600. Jones called, followed by a raise to 2,800 from Derecho. Both continued to turn T♦ , where no bets went in, revealing river 2♠ . Sun went for a final 6,000 and was called by Jones , tabling Sun's trip tens T♥ 9♠ for the win.

Player	Chips
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	42,400(212 BB)
ED Emmanuel DerechoPhilippines	33,000(165 BB)
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	15,800(79 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:38:49 AM

Sergei Korzhenko Cracks Aces

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Sergei Korzhenko

A button vs big blind battle brewed 5,000 in the middle with action on board 2♥ 8♠ 6♥ T♣ seeing Rey Roca fire a bet of 5,000. Sergei Korzhenko check called, and arrived at showdown shortly after Roca checked back river 5♠ .

Korzhenko showed two pair T♠ 6♠ , enough to send Roca's A♦ A♠ flying towards the muck.

Player	Chips
SK Sergei Korzhenko	52,000(260 BB)
RR Rey RocaPhilippines	30,300(152 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:27:52 AM

William Wright Bluffs Into Aces

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

William Wright

With 10,800 in the middle across board 8♥ 8♣ 4♦ J♦ K♠ , Edilberto Gopez fired a 5,500 bet on the button, and saw William Wright check jam for 18,900 total. Gopez called off with A♦ A♣ , smashing Wright's 3♠ 3♣ all the way through.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	58,600(293 BB)
WW William WrightUnited States of America	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:24:55 AM

Rick Jason Ambata Knocks Out Sun Chao Hsuan

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Rick Jason Ambata

Sun Chao Hsuan opened 500 on the cutoff and called 1,000 more following a raise from Rick Jason Ambata on the big blind. On flop 5♦ 7♣ 6♣ , Sun called another 2,000, revealing turn Q♠ . Ambata checked this time to Sun, pushing him to bet 4,000. Ambata raised for 7,000 more, and called the rest after Sun moved all-in for 16,200 total.

Sun Chao Hsuan Q♥ 8♥

Rick Jason Ambata K♦ K♥

Crushed against an overpair, Sun exited the arena shortly after river A♠ completed the board.

Player	Chips
RJ Rick Jason AmbataPhilippines	54,500(273 BB)
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:23:05 AM

Kyoungsun Lee Crashes Early

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Kyoungsun Lee

Following an open and a call, Kyoungsun Lee pushed all-in on the big blind, for his last 5,900 and was called by initial raiser Ho Tai Tsai.

Dominated, Lee headed out after missing to improve on board 3♠ 8♥ 9♣ 5♣ J♣ .

Player	Hand	Chips
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	K♣T♣ UTG+1	46,200(231 BB)
KL Kyoungsun Lee	T♥6♥ BB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:17:15 AM

Maxim Fana Pulls Bluff

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

With 2,100 in the middle on flop K♠ 9♣ K♣ , three way action saw Gareth Gardner bet 600. Maxim Fana check raised to 2,200, and Gardner completed, revealing turn 2♠ . Fana bet another 4,300, followed by a hefty 25,000 on river 4♥ . Gardner let it go by the final bet, shipping Fana the pot as he showed a busted straight draw Q♣ J♥ .

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	48,400(242 BB)
GG Gareth GardnerUnited Kingdom	11,200(56 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:15:13 AM

Maxim Fana Policed By William Jones

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

William Jones

With a pot 8,900 in the middle across board J♠ 5♠ 9♦ 2♠ A♦ , Maxim Fana made an attempt for it with a pot size bet of 9,000. William Jones check called with K♦ K♥ , and shipped the pot after Fana tabled a busted straight draw 8♣ 7♣ .

Player	Chips
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	47,300(237 BB)
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	44,000(220 BB)

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 18/19

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 6:02:46 AM

Seonghun Jeong Early on the Rise

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Seonghun Jeong

Kyoungsun Leeo opened 200 utg and was joined by four other players behind onto flop K♠ 7♣ Q♥ . Action checked round to turn 4♠ , where Lee continued 1,000. Hijack called, followed by a check raise to 3,500 from Seonghun Jeong. Only Lee completed, yet was left unable to get to showdown after Jeong pulled a final 5,500 on river 2♦ .

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	63,000(630 BB)
KL Kyoungsun Lee	18,000(180 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:59:23 AM

Maxim Fana Bets for Value

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Maxim Fana

Maxim Fana squeezed to 1,800 on the big blind against a button open and a call, and saw only William Jones continue to flop 9♣ 4♥ Q♠ . Fana bet 1,200, check called by Jones onto turn 5♦ . Both checked it through to river 5♥ , where Fana fired a final 7,000. Jones paid the price and mucked as Fana tabled J♥ J♣ .

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	52,300(523 BB)
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	28,800(288 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:48:15 AM

Ho Tai Tsai Shoves for the Win

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Ho Tai Tsai

A five way three bet pot saw Seonghun Jeong on the small blind, continue for 1,000 on flop A♠ J♥ 6♥ . Three folds followed before Ho Tai Tsai raised to 6,000 on the button. Jeong completed, yet folded after Tsai barreled all-in for 16,300 on turn 8♥ .

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	35,300(353 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	34,400(344 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:45:27 AM

William Jones Gets Paid

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

William Jones

William Jones opened on the cutoff and called a 1,200 three bet from Ma Carmen Esdaile on the big blind. On board 9♦ J♠ 2♣ T♦ A♣ , Esdaile check called all three streets - 1,200, 2,100 and 3,500, and mucked as Jones showed two pair A♥ J♥ .

Player	Chips
WJ William JonesUnited States of America	37,200(372 BB)
MC Ma Carmen Esdaile	21,300(213 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:42:13 AM

Maxim Fana Bets All Streets

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Maxim Fana

Sun Chao Hsuan opened 300 on the cutoff, raised by Maxim Fana on the small blind to 1,300. Big blind joined in, and Sun completed as well.

On board T♠ A♦ 4♦ Q♦ 4♣ , Fana triple barreled - 1,200, 2,500, and 6,000, and saw Sun call all the way to showdown, only to muck as Fana revealed two pair A♥ K♥ .

Player	Chips
MF Maxim FanaUnited Kingdom	41,000(410 BB)
SC Sun Chao Hsuan	18,000(180 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:38:49 AM

Early Double Up for Seonghun Jeong

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Seonghun Jeong

Following an open and a call, Seonghun Jeong fired an 800 three bet on the cutoff, and saw Darren Moves on the big blind, make it 2,400 to go. Jeong completed and called another 2,000 on flop J♠ 3♥ T♥ . On turn 5♦ , Moves led 5,000 and called 6,000 more following a raise from his opponent. Jeong finished with a 14,600 all-in on river A♣ , called by Moves to showdown.

Jeong revealed a turned set 5♠ 5♣ , crushing Moves's top pair A♦ K♣ entirely.

Player	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	60,600(606 BB)
DM Darren MovesAustralia	4,700(47 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:36:06 AM

William Wright Rakes In an Early Boost

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

William Wright

With two limps ahead, Ho Tai Tsai raised 800 on the small blind and saw William Wright complete. On board Q♦ T♣ 8♠ 4♠ , Tsai. double barreled 1,200 and 3,500, with Wright calling both streets. River K♥ was checked down, revealing Tsai's 2♦ 2♣ , no good against Wright's T♥ 9♣ .

Player	Chips
WW William WrightUnited States of America	34,800(348 BB)
HT Ho-Tai TsaiTaiwan	26,300(263 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:25:19 AM

Darren Moves Takes It Down

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Darren Moves

Facing an open and a call, Kyoungsun Lee sent out a 900 three bet on the button, and saw both continue to flop 9♣ Q♦ T♥ . Darren Moves led out a bet of 1,000, raised by Lee to 2,000. Moves completed and sent out another 1,000 on turn 8♦ . Lee called behind, yet folded after Moves went for a final 4,000 on river 6♣ .

Player	Chips
DM Darren MovesAustralia	35,100(351 BB)
KL Kyoungsun Lee	26,400(264 BB)

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 14/14

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/23/2025, 5:24:32 AM

Cards in the Air!

Shuffle up & deal, good luck to all the players!

Janette BeeJanette Bee

1/22/2025, 9:11:00 AM

Awaited Manila Megastack Main Event Kicks Off Today!

Gear up for more thrilling action as the biggest event to start the year begins today! This season's Manila Megastack Main Event is lined with PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) in guarantees, ready to get everyone's socks off. Buy-in remains at PHP 45,000 (~USD 770), with the Best Stack Forward policy in place giving tournament runners multiple opportunities to qualify and fight for their share of the massive prize pool.

Four flights are set on schedule over the next three days, each due to play down to 15% of the field (ITM). Following the Day 1 rounds, action sees two more days of play as players make their way towards the finish line. In addition to the payouts, the top two winners will also take home a 2025 APPT Manila Main Event Package, valued at PHP 125,000 (~USD 2,140), for this July's festivities.

Last season's winner saw local grinder Richard Marque take the victory over the 512-entry field, earning him a whopping PHP 3.7 million (~USD 63,240) in prizes. Numbers are expected to be bigger this time around with players hungry for more action, fresh off the holidays. Whether you're a seasoned pro or an eager newcomer, this is your front row seat to all the action!

Today's initial flight runs 40 minutes on the clock, with registration remaining open through Level 10 @20:10. Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

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)

Starting stack: 30,000

Flight A: Thursday, January 23

Flight B: Friday, January 24

Flight C: Saturday, January 25

Flight D [20/15]: Saturday, January 25

Day 2: Sunday, January 26

Final Day: Monday, January 27