Kickoff (16,500 PHP)

Following a five hour grind, Manila Megastack 21's opening highlight - Kickoff, is officially down to its final nine players with local runner Renato Villanueva leading the charge. Each contender is now guaranteed PHP 87,885 (~USD 1,510) in winnings, with the PHP 765,000 (~USD 13,160) top prize only a few places away. Today's winner will also take home a 2025 APPT Manila Main Event Package, valued at PHP 125,000 (~USD 2,140), along with the prestigious PokerStars spade trophy to commemorate their triumph.

Final Table Chip Counts

Remaining Payouts

Renato Villanueva raised all-in on the small blind and saw Hochung Song call off for his 440,000 stack right behind.

Villanueva slightly behind, caught up immediately on board K♥ T♣ 5♠ 2♦ T♥ , locking in a full house to deliver the bust.

Renato Villanueva opened 60,000 utg and was met with a 190,000 three bet from Paul Coles on the cutoff. Villanueva answered with an all-in, leaving Coles to take a minute before throwing in the fold.

Paul Coles defended his big blind against Renato Villanueva's 65,000 button open, and faced another 55,000 bet on flop 8♠ 9♣ 7♥ . Coles responded with an all-in for 570,000, enough to get Villanueva to let it go.

Jeoffrey Sibal stuffed 140,000 on the big blind and was called by initial raiser Renato Villanueva.

Sibal behind, failed to catch up on board K♣ 3♥ 3♠ 3♦ 6♦ , sending him out the door.

Rene Mar David opened 55,000 on the cutoff and was met with a 175,000 three bet from Renato Villanueva a seat after. David gave it some thought but eventually opted out, shipping Villanueva the boost.

Alvir Inocentes pushed all-in on the button for his last 155,000 and was challenged by Renato Villanueva on the big blind.

Dominated, Inocentes exited the arena shortly after board 4♠ T♠ T♥ 3♠ 6♦ rolled on the felt.

Renato Villanueva opened on the hijack and called Liam Schreiter's all-in from the big blind for 205,000.

In for a flip, board J♠ 5♦ 2♣ 2♥ A♠ landed Villanueva's way, sending Schreiter to the rails.

Fresh off a win, Renato Villanueva booked another after calling Jhun Aballa's 60,000 all-in preflop.

Slightly behind, Villanueva quickly caught up on board 4♠ 9♦ Q♦ 2♥ 5♦ , sending his opponent out of the running.

Renato Villanueva defended his big blind vs Feridoun Farboud's 12,000 open and headed to flop J♣ 3♣ Q♠ . Action checked round to turn Q♠ , where Villanueva led 17,000. Farboud called behind, yet gave it up after Villanueva fired a final 38,000 on river 9♦ .

Villanueva showed bluff 7♣ 2♠ as he scooped up the pot.

Facing an open and a call, Renato Villanueva squeezed all-in on the big blind, and saw initial raiser Yoshiki Nakamura call off for his lesser 53,000 stack.

At risk, Nakamura exited the arena shortly after failing to improve on board K♠ K♣ J♠ 9♠ A♦ .

Renato Villanueva stuffed his last 68,000 in and was looked up by chip leader Jonald Garcia.

At risk, Villanueva continued on as board J♠ 8♠ K♦ 7♦ 9♦ ran a straight for his pocket pair to take the win.

With 29 players left holding on to their seats, that means the day is about to close with 9 more eliminations to go before is reached. 20 players are set to advance to Day 2, joining yesterday's 10-survivor qualifier list.

Chip Counts

With 27,000 already in the middle on flop 2♣ T♣ A♥ , Jonald Garcia sent out a 10,000 bet on the button and saw Renato Villanueva put in the call. Both checked turn K♦ through to river K♠ , where Garcia went for a final 15,000. Villanueva gave it up, shipping Garcia another boost to his already healthy stack.