Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #42

2025.12.04 - 2025.12.08Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Entries

6/850

Total Chips

25,500,000

Average

4,250,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 5:15:37 PM

Six Return to Battle It Out for the Title Tomorrow

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

The Manila Megastack 23 Main Event has exceeded all expectations, shattering its PHP 20,000,000 guarantee with a total prize pool of PHP 33,392,250 (~USD 566,300). Across four packed starting flights and a host of satellite qualifiers, 850 players put their names in the mix, all chasing the top prize of PHP 5,750,000 (~USD 98,065) and the prestige of winning one of the season’s flagship events.

From that massive field, 128 players returned for Day 2, each having already secured a minimum cash but still hungry to climb the payout ladder and contend for the title.

After 13 hours of intense play, the floor decided to end the day with just six players remaining, deferring the crowning of a champion to tomorrow’s finale.

Manila Megastack Main Event Final Six Chip Counts

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	12,500,000(63 BB)
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	3,960,000(20 BB)
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	2,840,000(14 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	2,080,000(10 BB)
RO Rikiya OguraJapan	1,810,000(9 BB)
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	1,740,000(9 BB)
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	busted

Siyuan Liu (9th), Alessandro Oppicini (8th) and Jinhyun Kim (7th) all fell during the twilight hours of play today, and will unfortunately not be returning to slog it out for the title tomorrow.

Somuchpoker will resume coverage tomorrow at 12:00 PM sharp with all the details, double-ups, busts and the eventual crowning of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Champion!

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:10:46 PM

Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Down To Final Six

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

The Manila Megastack 23 Main Event has come down to the last six players. Action will resume tomorrow at 12 p.m. local time as the finalists battle for glory and a chance to claim the top prize of PHP 5,750,000 (~USD 98,065).

Stay tuned for a full recap and highlights from Day 2 of the Main Event.

Somuchpoker is live at PokerStars LIVE Manila inside the luxurious Okada Manila, bringing you the latest updates and action straight from the tournament floor.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 5:00:19 PM

Jinhyun Kim Eliminated in 7th Place for PHP 900,000 (~USD 15,350)

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Jinhyun Kim

Junele Oswa

Jinhyun Kim shoved for just under 1,000,000 and was ultimately called by Junele Oswa for potentially the last elimination of the day:

Jinhyun Kim: 9♠ 9♥

Junele Oswa: A♣ Q♠

Kim was marginally ahead preflop, but Oswa drilled the flop as the dealer fanned 3♠ Q♣ Q♥, giving him a set. The J♥ bricked the river, and Kim simply needed to find a nine to stay alive.

The 8♥ sealed his elimination in seventh and set the final six up for tomorrow's finale.

Player	Chips
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	3,550,000(18 BB)
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
7	JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	$15,350

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:53:50 PM

Macgabhann Simply Cannot Miss the River

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Edilberto Gopez

Under the gun, Edilberto Gopez continued to dominate the final table, raising almost every hand. He open shoved again, and in the cutoff, Eoghan Macgabhann, fresh off yet another chop with Gopez, called all in for 1,525,000.

Eoghan Macgabhann: Q♣ Q♦

Edilberto Gopez: A♣ T♦

Gopez miraculously paired his ace on the flop A♦ 6♣ 2♠ , leaving Macgabhann with just two outs. The turn 7♠ brought a wave of anticipation from the entire table as Macgabhann was down to a single card to stay alive.

Before the dealer revealed the river, Raymond Tiu joked that Macgabhann always hits the river, and moments later the table erupted as Macgabhann spiked his two outer yet again on the river Q♥ to secure another crucial double.

Seven players remained, and play will continue until the final six are reached or 1 a.m., whichever comes first.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	14,400,000(72 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	3,550,000(18 BB)

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

40 minutes

32, Remaining Players: 7/850

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 7/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:18:53 PM

Macgabhann Refuses To Go Away

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Under the gun, Junele Oswa opened to 350,000 and then called the three bet-shove of Eoghan Macgabhann for 840,000. Macgabhann had just chopped a pot that would have doubled him through Edilberto Gopez and was looking to finally secure the full double.

Eoghan Macgabhann: A♥ J♦

Junele Oswa: 4♥ 4♣

It was a classic flip for Macgabhann and he found immediate help on the flop A♦ 8♥ 8♣ . Oswa had only two outs left and could not find either one on the runout 9♣ 8♠ , giving Macgabhann yet another double up as his comeback story continued.

Player	Chips
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	3,960,000(25 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	2,080,000(13 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 4:02:05 PM

Alessandro Oppicini Eliminated in 8th Place for PHP 700,000 (~USD 11,940)

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Alessandro Oppicini

Edilberto Gopez opened to 330,000 from middle position and then called Alessandro Oppicini's three-bet shove for 1,185,000.

Alessandro Oppicini: A♠ K♦

Edilberto Gopez: Q♠ J♣

Disaster struck for Oppicini when Gopez paired his queen on the Q♥ 4♦ 9♠ flop. No help came on the 7♥ 4♣ turn and river, ending Oppicini's run in eighth place and adding more chips to the table chip leader's stack.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	12,500,000(78 BB)
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
8	AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	$11,940

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 3:55:42 PM

Macgabhann Survives With a Two Outer

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Eoghan Macgabhann

Under the gun +1, Eoghan Macgabhann open shoved for his last 580,000 and big blind Junele Oswa called.

Eoghan Macgabhann: Q♥ 9♥

Junele Oswa: K♠ 7♦

Macgabhann took the lead on the flop J♣ 9♦ 7♣ after hitting middle pair while Oswa connected with the bottom pair and still had a few outs. The turn 7♠ was a disaster for Macgabhann as Oswa hit trips and left him with only two outs.

It felt like the deck was teasing the table as the river 9♠ came and everything turned around. Macgabhann spiked his two outer for a much needed double up and the final table remained at eight players.

Player	Chips
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	3,770,000(24 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	1,400,000(9 BB)

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

40 minutes

31, Remaining Players: 8/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 3:45:43 PM

Mantos Springs a Trap For a Double Up

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Mc Yeldarb Mantos

Under the gun +1, Raymond Tiu opened to 250,000, and big blind Mc Yeldrab Mantos made the call.

On the flop A♥ T♥ 9♣ , Mantos check-raised all in for 530,000 after Tiu fired a continuation-bet of 250,000. Tiu snap-called.

Mc Yeldrab Mantos: T♠ T♦

Raymond Tiu: A♦ J♠

Mantos smashed the flop with a middle set, though Tiu still had an open-ended straight draw to sweat. The turn 6♠ and river 3♥ bricked out for Tiu, securing the pot and a much needed double up for Mantos.

Player	Chips
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	2,840,000(24 BB)
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	1,740,000(15 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 3:33:26 PM

Siyuan Liu Eliminated in 9th Place for PHP 538,250 (~USD 9,180)

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Siyuan Liu

Siyuan Liu shoved from the button for 1,400,000 and was called by covering stack and big blind Raymond Tiu.

Siyuan Liu: A♥ 4♣

Raymond Tiu: J♦ J♣

Liu was behind and needed an ace to stay in the game. The flop couldn’t have come much worse, with the dealer spreading J♥ K♦ 6♥, putting Tiu firmly ahead and leaving Liu needing runner-runner to survive. He was drawing dead on the 2♦ turn, and the 8♣ river completed the board to seal his fate as the first elimination of the final table.

Player	Chips
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	2,800,000(23 BB)
SL Siyuan LiuChina	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
9	SL Siyuan LiuChina	$9,180

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 3:26:02 PM

Macgabhann Fights Back With Kings

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Eoghan Macgabhann

Under the gun +1, Eoghan Macgabhann shoved his last 500,000, nearly getting the blinds to fold, but big blind Mc Yeldrab Mantos made the call.

Eoghan Macgabhann: K♠ K♣

Mc Yeldrab Mantos: A♠ T♦

Mantos, with three outs, picked up extra hope on the flop T♠ 5♣ 3♦ after pairing his ten. Still, Macgabhann’s kings held strong through the turn Q♣ , and the river 3♠ locked up the pot. A much needed double up for Macgabhann as he stays alive at the final table.

Player	Chips
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	1,180,000(10 BB)
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	960,000(8 BB)

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/850

20 hands per level structure.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 3:14:48 PM

Oppicini Scores the First Double

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Alessandro Oppicini

From middle position, Alessandro Oppicini raised to 250,000. Siyuan Liu, seated on the button, three-bet to 750,000, and when it folded back around, Oppicini four-bet shoved for 965,000. Liu snap-called:

Alessandro Oppicini: Q♦ Q♠

Siyuan Liu: A♣ J♦

Oppicini needed to fade aces or drawing cards, and the 5♠ 4♠ 9♣ flop kept him firmly in front. The 7♥ turn held steady, and the 7♦ river paired the board to lock up the double, drawing a visibly relieved celebration from Oppicini.

"Sorry, I get a little excited," he told the table after slamming his hands down in delight. Liu was left with around five big blinds.

Player	Chips
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	2,100,000(21 BB)
SL Siyuan LiuChina	680,000(7 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 3:01:04 PM

Gopez Crosses The 10 Million Mark

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Edilberto Gopez

Under the gun +1, Edilberto Gopez opened to 200,000 and both blinds defended. All three players checked the flop T♣ 8♠ 7♠ and went straight to the turn 8♦ , where big blind Jinhyun Kim led for 225,000. Gopez made the call while the small blind folded.

On the river Q♦ , Kim checked, and Gopez fired 550,000. Kim called, but Gopez revealed Q♥ 7♥ a rivered top pair that took down the pot. Kim mucked, left crippled, while Gopez surged past the 10 million mark.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	10,230,000(102 BB)
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	745,000(7 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 2:43:20 PM

Final Table Structure Update

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

The floor has announced that play will wrap for the night once one of two conditions is met: the field reaches six players, or the clock strikes 1:00 AM - whichever comes first.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 2:29:26 PM

Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Final Table Set

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Final Table

After more than ten hours of intense play, the final table of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event is officially set. Edilberto Gopez leads the charge with a dominating stack of 8,485,000 (85 big blinds) after steamrolling through the last three tables and knocking out player after player.

All remaining players are guaranteed a payout of PHP 538,250 (~USD 9,180), but all eyes on the coveted top prize of PHP 5,750,000 (~USD 98,065).

With the final table established, the structure now shifts from 40-minute levels to a 20-hands-per-level format.

Good luck to the nine remaining players. May the runouts be kind and the poker gods be with you.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
SL Siyuan LiuChina	1,865,000(19 BB)	51	1
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	900,000(9 BB)	51	2
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	2,570,000(26 BB)	51	3
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	1,370,000(14 BB)	51	4
RO Rikiya OguraJapan	2,310,000(23 BB)	51	5
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	8,485,000(85 BB)	51	6
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	1,465,000(15 BB)	51	7
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	5,010,000(50 BB)	51	8
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	1,530,000(15 BB)	51	9

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 2:16:34 PM

John Cousins Eliminated in 10th Place for PHP 430,000 (~USD 7,335)

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

John Cousins

Button Junele Oswa limped in, John Cousins was blinded all in for his last 50,000, and big blind Eoghan MacGabhann checked.

Oswa and MacGabhann checked all the way down on the 7♠ K♥ 6♦ 2♥ Q♣ runout. A♠ all three tabled their hands, Cousins offered a cheerful “Good luck, guys!” while revealing jack-four offsuit. Oswa showed 9♥ 4♣, but MacGabhann’s Q♠ 8♣ was best, taking the pot and eliminating Cousins as the final table bubble.

Player	Chips
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	4,300,000(43 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	790,000(8 BB)
JC John CousinsCanada	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
10	JC John CousinsCanada	$7,335

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

40 minutes

29, Remaining Players: 10/850

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 1:53:32 PM

Shawn Jie Eliminated in 11th Place for PHP 430,000 (~USD 7,335)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Shawn Jie

Button Shawn Jie raised to 570,000, leaving around 30,000 behind, and was called by small blind Junele Oswa.

On the K♣ K♥ 2♣ flop Oswa put 80,000 in the middle, and after using his last time bank, Jie stuck in the call:

Shawn Jie: Q♦ 8♣

Junele Oswa: A♥ J♠

Oswa’s ace-high was ahead and stayed there through the 5♦ A♠ runout, pairing his ace for good measure and sending Jie to the rail in 11th place.

Player	Chips
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	3,150,000(39 BB)
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
11	SJ Shawn JieSingapore	$7,335

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 1:50:47 PM

Tan Keng Yong Eliminated in 12th Place for PHP 360,000 (~USD 6,140)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Tan Keng Yong

Tan Keng Yong, with just 250,000 (3 big blinds) remaining, shoved and got a call from big blind Siyuan Liu.

Tan Keng Yong: K♥ 9♦

Siyuan Liu: A♣ T♣

Yong was behind but still had live cards. Unfortunately, he failed to connect with the board 7♣ 2♥ 2♦ 5♠ Q♠ and was eliminated in 12th place.

Player	Chips
SL Siyuan LiuChina	1,900,000(24 BB)
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
12	TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	$6,140

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 1:40:29 PM

Masafumi Kuromiya Eliminated in 13th Place for PHP 360,000 (~USD 6,140)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Masafumi Kuromiya

Masafumi Kuromiya shoved from under the gun and next-to-act Jinhyun Kim stuck in the call. Once it folded around, they revealed their hands:

Masafumi Kuromiya: K♥ Q♥

Jinhyun Kim: J♣ J♦

Kuromiya needed to connect with his overcards, but nothing materialised on the 7♦ 9♣ 2♥ 3♦ 3♠ runout, giving Kim a sizeable boost and sending Kuromiya to the rail in 13th.

Player	Chips
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	2,300,000(29 BB)
MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
13	MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	$6,140

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 1:32:17 PM

MacGabhann Gives Some Back

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Cutoff Eoghan MacGabhann called big blind Raymond Tiu’s three-bet shove for 815,000.

Raymond Tiu: A♠ 8♥

Eoghan MacGabhann: A♥ 7♥

Tiu had MacGabhann in a rough spot, and pairing his eight on the Q♥ T♠ 8♦ flop all but secured the double. The J♠ gave MacGabhann a gutshot, but the J♣ river didn’t save him, taking a fair chunk out of his stack.

Player	Chips
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	1,550,000(19 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	1,400,000(18 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 1:30:29 PM

Mindaugas Simkus Eliminated in 14th Place for PHP 300,000 (~USD 5,115)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Mindaugas Simkus

Edilberto Gopez opened to 160,000 and then snap-called the three-bet shove of Mindaugas Simkus for 780,000.

Mindaugas Simkus: 5♥ 5♦

Edilberto Gopez: J♥ J♠

Simkus was left with just two outs, which became even slimmer when Gopez flopped K♦ J♣ T♦ a set. His only hope was a runner-runner flush, but the turn 8♠ sealed the deal for Gopez, and the river A♠ was mere formality. Simkus was eliminated in 14th place.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	7,345,000(92 BB)
MS Mindaugas SimkusLithuania	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
14	MS Mindaugas SimkusLithuania	$5,115

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 1:26:05 PM

Table 29 Chip Counts And Seat Draw

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RO Rikiya OguraJapan	1,810,000(23 BB)	29	1
SL Siyuan LiuChina	1,805,000(23 BB)	29	2
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	1,940,000(24 BB)	29	3
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	830,000(10 BB)	29	4
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	6,525,000(82 BB)	29	5
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	2,130,000(27 BB)	29	6
MS Mindaugas SimkusLithuania	805,000(10 BB)	29	7

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

40 minutes

28, Remaining Players: 14/850

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 14/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 1:13:50 PM

Boon Ang Eliminated in 15th Place for PHP 300,000 (~USD 5,115)

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Boon Ang

Boon Ang, with 340,000 remaining, three-bet shoved, and initial raiser Edilberto Gopez snap-called.

Boon Ang: Q♣ T♠

Edilberto Gopez: 8♣ 8♦

It was a flip for Ang’s tournament life, but he failed to connect on the flop J♣ 6♠ 3♦ . The turn 9♦ gave him an open-ended straight draw, yet the river A♠ bricked, and Ang was eliminated in 15th place. Another player falls to Gopez’s rising stack.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	6,400,000(107 BB)
BA Boon AngSingapore	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
15	BA Boon AngSingapore	$5,115

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:50:36 PM

Younghyun Park Eliminated in 16th Place for PHP 261,000 (~USD 4,450)

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Yonghyun Park

Folded to the button, Mc Yeldrab Mantos shoved in an attempt to steal the blinds, and small blind Younghyun Park called all in with his last 300,000 (5 big blinds).

Younghyun Park: A♠ J♥

Mc Yeldrab Mantos: 7♣ 7♦

The table erupted when the window card J♦ appeared, but the excitement turned quickly as Mantos completed a full house on the flop J♦ J♠ 7♠ . The turn T♦ and river 3♦ offered no help for Park, and he was eliminated in 16th place.

Player	Chips
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	2,300,000(38 BB)
YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	busted

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
16	YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	$4,450

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 12:49:37 PM

MacGabhann Finds a Lucky Eight

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Eoghan Macgabhann

Eoghan MacGabhann raised to 900,000 from the small blind, leaving around 150,000 behind. Big blind Masfumi Kuromiya then shoved with a covering stack, and MacGabhann made the call.

Eoghan MacGabhann: A♦ 7♥

Masfumi Kuromiya: 9♣ 9♥

A flop of mixed emotions followed as the dealer spread A♠ 9♦ J♠, giving MacGabhann top pair but Kuromiya a set.

The T♣ on the turn added a gutshot, and the miracle 8♣ river completed it, giving MacGabhann a crucial double through Kuromiya.

Player	Chips
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	2,100,000(35 BB)
MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	400,000(7 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:39:55 PM

Recent Elimination 17-24

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
17	DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	$4,450
18	RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	$3,870
19	YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	$3,870
20	DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	$3,870
21	OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	$3,375
22	BS Billy SorianoPhilippines	$3,375
23	HN Hadinoto NyoIndonesia	$3,375
24	JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	$2,950

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

40 minutes

27, Remaining Players: 16/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:29:32 PM

Gopez Flushes Out Erquiaga

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

David Erquiaga

Folded to the button, David Erquiaga, with only 620,000 remaining, shoved and got a quick call from Edilberto Gopez.

David Erquiaga: A♦ 9♠

Edilberto Gopez: A♠ Q♠

Erquiaga, who had gotten lucky earlier on the flop hitting a two outer, was dominated pre-flop this time. He did hit one of his three outs on the flop T♦ 9♣ 2♠ , but the turn 3♠ gave Gopez a flush draw, and the river 4♠ completed it, eliminating Erquiaga in 17th place.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	5,500,000(110 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:26:27 PM

Ogura Eliminates Lee

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Rikiya Ogura

On the very next hand, Yun Xiang Lee three-bet shoved with his remaining 410,000, and the initial raiser Rikiya Ogura snap-called.

Yun Xiang Lee: A♥ 6♥

Rikiya Ogura: A♣ J♣

Lee was dominated pre-flop and failed to connect with the board Q♣ 4♣ 3♠ K♥ 8♦ . Ogura’s hand held, eliminating Lee and giving Ogura a significant boost to his stack.

Player	Chips
RO Rikiya OguraJapan	2,720,000(54 BB)
YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 12:25:08 PM

Oswa Comes Out on Top in Three-Way

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Junele Oswa

Action was joined on a flop of T♥ 9♠ A♥, where Rene Mar David had moved all in for his last ~100,000. Eoghan MacGabhann made the call, as did Junele Oswa.

The Q♠ hit the turn and MacGabhann check-called Oswa’s 360,000 bet.

The 7♦ completed the board and MacGabhann checked once more. Oswa shoved for his remaining 350,000, sending MacGabhann deep into the tank. After a long think, he found the fold. Oswa tabled K♠ J♠ for the turned straight, more than enough to eliminate David, who revealed J♣ T♣.

Player	Chips
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	1,900,000(38 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	1,250,000(25 BB)
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:22:15 PM

Gopez Hits Quads For Massive Lead

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Edilberto Gopez

Cutoff Edilberto Gopez opened to 110,000, and big blind Yun Xiang Lee defended. Gopez fired all three streets, 100,000 on the flop Q♣ 4♣ 3♠ , 350,000 on the turn K♥ , and 800,000 on the river 8♦ , all check-called by Lee.

Edilberto Gopez revealed a set on the flop that improved to quads by the river. He now holds a massive chip lead, while Lee is left with just 410,000.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	4,600,000(92 BB)
YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	410,000(8 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:11:00 PM

Early Chip Leader Falls Short

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Oleg Mordassov

Eoghan Macgabhann opened to 100,000, and Oleg Mordassov snap-called after three-bet shoving for 880,000.

Oleg Mordassov: A♣ K♣

Eoghan Macgabhann: A♠ Q♣

Macgabhann was dominated pre-flop but caught early help on the flop Q♦ 4♣ 3♦ , leaving Mordassov visibly disappointed. The turn J♠ gave Mordassov extra outs, but the river 7♣ didn’t deliver. The former chip leader fell short, while Macgabhann secured a huge pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	1,930,000(39 BB)	1,030,000
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 12:03:16 PM

Oswa Turns The Tables

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Cutoff Billy Soriano open-shoved with 320,000 remaining, and big blind Junelle Oswa called.

Billy Soriano: A♠ T♥

Junelle Oswa: 6♣ 6♦

It was a flip for Soriano’s tournament life, but he didn’t connect with the board 4♠ 3♣ J♥ 3♦ 3♥ . Oswa’s pocket sixes held, eliminating Soriano. Earlier, Oswa had been down to less than a single big blind, now he’s surged to 825,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	825,000(17 BB)	350,000
BS Billy SorianoPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 11:50:45 AM

Recent Elimination 24-43

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
24	JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	$2,950
25	NT Nishiki TakuoJapan	$2,950
26	LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	$2,950
27	NE Nils EversGermany	$2,950
28	SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	$2,560
29	BB Brett BaderUnited States of America	$2,560
30	AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	$2,560
31	JB James BonannoUnited States of America	$2,560
32	DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	$2,215
33	AL Aaron Lam WeimingSingapore	$2,215
34	KW Keith Wei LeeSingapore	$2,215
35	JR Jesse RiveraUnited States of America	$2,215
36	IC Itsuki ChibaJapan	$2,215
37	SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	$2,215
38	JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	$2,215
39	DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	$2,215
40	JO Justin OngPhilippines	$1,925
41	VW Vincent WongSingapore	$1,925
42	WF William FernandezUnited States of America	$1,925
43	NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	$1,925

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

40 minutes

26, Remaining Players: 16/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 11:44:25 AM

Three-Way Madness at Table 31

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

David Erquiaga

Just one hand after Takuo Nishiki’s double up, Table 31 exploded with a three-way all-in pre flop.

Hijack Lukasz Jankowski open-shoved for 235,000. Button Takuo Nishiki three-bet shoved for 710,000. Big blind David Erquiaga took his time before calling all in for 495,000. The all-in drew a crowd as the players revealed their hands.

Lukasz Jankowski: J♠ T♥

David Erquiaga: 8♥ 8♦

Takuo Nishiki: 9♦ 9♠

The flop J♣ 8♣ 3♠ brought a roar as Erquiaga hit one of his two outs, leaving Jankowski needing a runner-runner and Nishiki with just two outs. The turn A♠ changed nothing, and the river 4♦ held for Erquiaga, eliminating Jankowski while Nishiki doubled up. Erquiaga nearly tripled his stack and now sits with 1,285,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	1,285,000(32 BB)	750,000
NT Nishiki TakuoJapan	215,000(5 BB)	-495,000
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 11:34:17 AM

Nishiki Survives The Sweat

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

Nishiki Takuo

Folded to the small blind, Jeongwon Seo shoved in an attempt to steal the blinds from Takuo Nishiki, who called all in for 335,000.

Takuo Nishiki: K♥ J♣

Jeongwon Seo: K♦ 8♦

Nishiki got a serious sweat after Seo picked up an open-ended straight draw on the flop 7♥ 6♠ 5♦ . Seo even had a chance to chop on the turn 6♣ , but the river 6♥ came clean for Nishiki, giving him a full double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
NT Nishiki TakuoJapan	710,000(18 BB)	335,000
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	425,000(11 BB)	-335,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 11:25:39 AM

Mahadeva Latest to Fall in Table 30 Action

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

Somashekar Kurkhepally Mahadeva

Hand 1

Somashekar Mahadeva raised to 85,000 from under the gun and was called by big blind Alessandro Oppicini.

Both checked the T♥ J♣ 4♦ flop to the 7♣ turn, where Oppicini led for 75,000. Mahadeva made the call.

On the K♦ river, Oppicini increased it to 175,000, and Mahadeva couldn’t find the call.

Hand 2

Yonghyun Park raised to 85,000 from the hijack and got it through, flashing K♠ K♥ as he collected the blinds.

Hand 3

Park raised again to 85,000, this time from middle position, and once more got it through. He tabled J♦ J♣ to the table’s surprise, picking up yet another premium.

Hand 4

Shawn Jie limped in from the small blind and John Cousins checked his option.

Jie check-folded on the 8♠ 4♠ 5♦ flop when Cousins fired 75,000.

Hand 5

Hijack Jinhyun Kim moved all in and Mahadeva called from the button.

Somashekar Mahadeva: A♦ K♠

Jinhyun Kim: 9♥ 9♠

Both picked up straight draws on the J♦ T♥ 7♦ flop, though Mahadeva would be ahead if he connected. He spiked an ace on the A♠ turn to move in front, but disaster landed on the river as the 8♠ completed Kim’s straight, stunning the table.

“Sorry,” Kim said quietly. Mahadeva took a photo of the table before heading to the rail.

Player	Chips
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	2,050,000(51 BB)
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	1,300,000(33 BB)
YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	1,050,000(26 BB)
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	750,000(19 BB)
JC John CousinsCanada	390,000(10 BB)
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 28/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 10:25:21 AM

Megastack Players Pause At La Piazza

Dinner Break

Players have stepped away for their 45-minute dinner break, and everyone in the Manila Megastack 23 is invited to the Player’s Party at La Piazza inside the stunning Okada Manila. If you’ve been there, you know it feels like stepping into Italy for a moment, with its elegant ambiance and delicious regional dishes waiting to be enjoyed.

It’s a well deserved pause from the intensity on the felt. Players can relax, grab good food and drinks, and take a breather before diving back into the grind. And as always, PokerStars LIVE Manila shows unmatched hospitality, making sure the experience goes beyond just the cards and chips.

Back in the Main Event, the field is down to just 28 players. The end of the line is almost in sight.

Dinner Break

45 minutes

Remaining Players: 28/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 10:22:09 AM

Queens Crush The Steal Attempt

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

Mc Yeldarb Mantos

Action folded to the small blind where Brett Bader tried to swipe the big blind by shoving for 470,000. Unfortunately for him, Mc Yeldarb Mantos woke up with queens and snap called.

Brett Bader: A♥ 7♦

Mc Yeldarb Mantos: Q♥ Q♣

Bader picked up a few extra outs on the flop J♥ 9♦ 7♠ , but none of them arrived on the turn 5♠ or river T♣ . He was eliminated, while Mantos dragged a mountain of chips and strengthened his position in the field.

Player	Chips
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	1,300,000(43 BB)
BB Brett BaderUnited States of America	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 10:06:13 AM

Jack Attack Keeps The Stack Intact

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

Somashekar Kurkhepally Mahadeva

Somashekar Kurkhepally Mahadeva was down to 250,000 when he open-shoved from under the gun. In the small blind, Jinhyun Kim snap called.

Somashekar Kurkhepally Mahadeva: J♠ J♥

Jinhyun Kim: K♣ Q♠

Mahadeva found himself flipping for his tournament life, but his jacks stayed sturdy on a clean runout 9♣ 2♠ 4♥ 4♠ T♥ . He secured a much needed double up and kept his hopes alive.

Player	Chips	Progress
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	560,000(19 BB)	310,000
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	165,000(6 BB)	-250,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 9:50:20 AM

Playing With Fire, Burning Out Fast

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

Jesse Rivera was down to 165,000 and pushed it all in from under the gun. Boon Ang woke up with a monster in the small blind and made the call.

Jesse Rivera: Q♥ T♦

Boon Ang: A♣ A♥

Rivera stepped straight into danger but picked up a flicker of hope when the flop K♦ J♠ 6♥ gave him an open ended draw. The turn 4♣ and river 8♣ brought no salvation, and Ang’s aces held strong to send Rivera out of the tournament.

Player	Chips
BA Boon AngSingapore	1,100,000(37 BB)
JR Jesse RiveraUnited States of America	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 9:49:06 AM

Jacks All Round

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

Eoghan Macgabhann

Eoghan MacGabhann raised to 60,000 from the hijack and then called big blind Oleg Mordassov’s three-bet shove, with MacGabhann at risk for 365,000:

Eoghan MacGabhann: J♦ J♠

Oleg Mordassov: 7♥ 7♠

Mordassov’s sevens couldn’t find any help on the 4♠ 5♣ 4♣ 8♣ Q♠ runout, earning MacGabhann a full double.

In the very next hand, Mordassov shoved from the small blind for 375,000 after Donghyun Kim opened to 60,000 under the gun. Kim made the call:

Oleg Mordassov: J♦ J♠

Donghyun Kim: 9♣ 9♥

Mordassov found himself holding the same hand he had just lost against, and again, the jacks held on the 2♥ 6♣ 7♦ A♣ 8♥ runout, lifting him right back to where he’d been two hands earlier.

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	750,000(25 BB)
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	730,000(24 BB)
DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	230,000(8 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/850

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 9:29:20 AM

Simkus Shoves Off Erquiaga

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

Mindaugas Simkus

David Erquiaga raised to 60,000 from the button and received a call from big blind Mindaugas Simkus.

Both players checked the Q♠ J♣ Q♣ flop, taking them to the 6♥ turn. Simkus led for 60,000 and Erquiaga raised to 145,000; Simkus called.

The J♥ completed the board and Simkus checked. Erquiaga slid 150,000 into the middle, only to face a shove from

Simkus, putting him at risk. Erquiaga thought it over for a while before eventually sliding his cards into the muck.

"You're not going to show us what you have?" Simkus asked. Erquiaga responded with nothing but a smirk.

Player	Chips
MS Mindaugas SimkusLithuania	820,000(33 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	600,000(24 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 9:24:53 AM

One Blind, One Dream

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

Junele Oswa

Junele Oswa had been down to his last 10,000 earlier, barely clinging on with less than a single big blind. After battling back to 245,000, he shoved from the hijack and cutoff Donghyun Kim made the call, taking them to a heads up showdown.

Junele Oswa: A♣ 9♦

Donghyun Kim: A♥ Q♦

Oswa was dominated pre flop with only three outs. He missed the flop T♣ 6♣ 4♠ completely, but the turn 9♥ delivered one of the cards he was screaming for, igniting a burst of excitement from him. The river A♦ paired Kim, but Oswa’s two pair held firm, completing a remarkable climb from the brink and earning him a crucial double up.

Player	Chips
DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	715,000(29 BB)
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	550,000(22 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 9:23:53 AM

Cousins Eliminates Kim

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

John Cousins

Button John Cousins moved all in and Jinkwan Kim, who was left with just 20,000 from a previous hand, called from the big blind:

Jinkwan Kim: K♥ Q♥

John Cousins: A♣ 5♦

The spade-studded 7♠ T♠ 6♠ flop brought no help for Kim, and the A♠ turn effectively sealed his fate, giving Cousins top pair. The 3♥ completed the board to confirm Kim’s elimination. Cousins gave a fist bump to Kim as he collected his chips.

Player	Chips
JC John CousinsCanada	535,000(21 BB)
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 9:07:43 AM

Wong’s Run Ends on The Felt

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

Siyuan Liu

Fresh from a double up, Vincent Wong again found himself all in, this time from the cutoff with 290,000 left. On his left, Siyuan Liu made the flat call, looking to score an elimination.

Vincent Wong: A♦ T♠

Siyuan Liu: K♦ J♦

Wong was ahead but Liu had live cards, and he connected with the flop J♣ 9♥ 2♥ to make top pair. Wong, down to three outs, found no help on the turn 2♦ or the river 8♠ and was eliminated from the game.

Player	Chips	Progress
SL Siyuan LiuChina	1,380,000(55 BB)	350,000
VW Vincent WongSingapore	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 42/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 8:57:21 AM

Wong Strikes Back With Fours

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

Vincent Wong

From the small blind, Vincent Wong three-bet shoved for 100,000 after current chip leader Rene Mar David opened, and David snap called.

Vincent Wong: 4♥ 4♣

Rene Mar David: K♠ Q♣

Wong’s fours held through the board T♦ 7♣ 2♥ 2♦ T♣ , earning him a much needed double up.

Wong had lost most of his stack earlier to David, and this hand gave him a bit of revenge, though still not enough to recover everything he had lost.

Player	Chips	Progress
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	1,860,000(93 BB)	-100,000
VW Vincent WongSingapore	240,000(12 BB)	140,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 8:47:46 AM

Recent Elimination 44-57

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

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
44	DS Dmitrii SukhorukovRussia	$1,925
45	SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	$1,925
46	AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	$1,925
47	LQ Loc QuachSweden	$1,925
48	FL Frank LillisIreland	$1,925
49	YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	$1,925
50	PF Patrick FurlongIreland	$1,925
51	KH Kasper HansenDenmark	$1,925
52	DB Daire BurkeIreland	$1,925
53	AR Abhishek RameshIndia	$1,925
54	RA Ronald AcostaPhilippines	$1,925
55	IN Ishan NadkarniIndia	$1,925
56	HK Hyunmo KimSouth Korea	$1,670
57	RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	$1,670

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 8:41:11 AM

Ong Doubles Through The Sevens

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

Justin Ong

Under the gun, Justin Ong open-shoved for 250,000 but found no caller. On the very next hand, action folded to the button, Junele Oswa announced all-in, and big blind Ong called for his 230,000 remaining.

Justin Ong: K♦ Q♣

Junele Oswa: 7♣ 7♠

Ong hit a pair of kings on the flop A♠ K♣ J♥ , leaving Oswa with just two outs. The turn 4♣ and river 2♣ bricked, giving Ong the double up and dropping Oswa to 10,000. After the hand, Ong shared with the table that he felt confident he was going to win, and even with King-Ten, he would have called.

Player	Chips	Progress
JO Justin OngPhilippines	590,000(30 BB)	290,000
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	10,000(1 BB)	-280,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 8:30:44 AM

Chip Leaders

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

Yun Xiang Lee

At the second break of the day, only 44 players remain. Singapore’s Yun Xiang Lee leads the pack with 1,300,000 chips. Here are your current chip leaders:

Player	Chips
YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	1,530,000(77 BB)
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	1,300,000(65 BB)
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	1,200,000(60 BB)
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	1,180,000(59 BB)
DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	1,110,000(56 BB)
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	915,000(46 BB)
BS Billy SorianoPhilippines	870,000(44 BB)
IC Itsuki ChibaJapan	850,000(43 BB)
MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	850,000(43 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 8:23:56 AM

Park with a Cheeky Check-Raise

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

Hand 1

John Cousins opened to 40,000 from the hijack before folding to cutoff Younghyun Park’s three-bet to 110,000.

Hand 2

Park limped from the hijack then called Alvir Inocentes’ raise to 40,000 from the big blind.

Inocentes shoved for 120,000 on the 2♦ T♣ 8♥ flop, prompting a brief tank from Park.

“So sick,” he said as he mulled it over, before ultimately folding. Inocentes flicked over 9♠ 7♣ for the open-ender.

Hand 3

Steven Smith raised to 45,000 from the cutoff and received a call from Shawn Jie in the big blind.

Jie check-folded on the K♣ A♦ 2♠ flop when Smith fired 35,000.

Hand 4

Jie limped in from the small blind then folded to Cousins’ shove for 295,000 in the big blind.

Hand 5

Steven Smith made it 45,000 from middle position and received a call from big blind Younghyun Park.

Both players checked the 2♠ 2♦ 3♣ 9♠ flop and turn, taking them to the A♥ river. Park check-raised Smith from 30,000 to 130,000, and Smith burned a time bank before ultimately deciding against the call.

Jie is also now sitting on over 1.2 million in chips, over five times what he started the day with.

Player	Chips
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	1,220,000(61 BB)
YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	600,000(30 BB)
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	400,000(20 BB)
JC John CousinsCanada	320,000(16 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	215,000(11 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 44/850

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 46/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 8:05:25 AM

Weiming Finds a Flop Miracle

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

Aaron Lam Weiming

Moments ago, Aaron Lam Weiming had been open-shoving with no callers, but this time he opened from under the gun for 89,000, and small blind Eoghan Macgabhann called.

Aaron Lam Weiming: A♣ J♣

Eoghan Macgabhann: A♥ Q♠

Weiming was dominated by Macgabhann but hit one of his three outs directly on the flop J♠ 9♥ 5♣ . The table then turned, giving Macgabhann three outs, but failed to connect on the runout 8♦ 6♦ . Weiming secured a huge double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	431,000(27 BB)	-89,000
AL Aaron Lam WeimingSingapore	210,000(13 BB)	121,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 7:59:11 AM

No Showdowns Required

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

Billy Soriano

Hand 1

Frank Lillis’ shove from under the gun got through.

Hand 2

Daishi Ichimanda raised to 35,000 from under the gun and was called by cutoff Itsuki Chiba.

Ichimanda check-folded when Chiba fired 22,000 on the 7♦ 3♥ Q♦ flop.

Hand 3

Cutoff Keith Wei Lee raised to 35,000 then folded to button Nils Evers’ 80,000 three-bet.

Hand 4

Small blind Ichimanda raised to 38,000 and received a call from big blind James Bonanno.

Ichimanda led for 50,000 on the 9♥ A♥ K♦ flop and Bonanno let it go.

Hand 5

Hijack Evers’ 32,000 raise prompted folds around the table.

Hand 6

Lee limped from under the gun, small blind Billy Soriano came along, and big blind Chiba checked.

Soriano check-called and Chiba check-folded when Lee put 18,000 into the middle following the Q♣ Q♠ 2♥ flop.

Soriano then led for 35,000 on the 6♥ turn, prompting a fold from Lee. Soriano knocked the table; from the post-hand discussion, it sounded like he had flopped trips, possibly holding queen-jack.

Player	Chips
BS Billy SorianoPhilippines	870,000(54 BB)
IC Itsuki ChibaJapan	730,000(46 BB)
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	690,000(43 BB)
JB James BonannoUnited States of America	675,000(42 BB)
NE Nils EversGermany	545,000(34 BB)
FL Frank LillisIreland	130,000(8 BB)
KW Keith Wei LeeSingapore	120,000(8 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 7:53:16 AM

Ong Bounces Back With Queens

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

Justin Ong

After dropping to just 5 big blinds, Justin Ong bounced back and even eliminated a player.

Under the gun, Kasper Hansen open-shoved for 86,000. On the button, Ong used one time bank before announcing his all-in, with no other callers.

Kasper Hansen: A♥ 8♦

Justin Ong: Q♣ Q♥

Hansen had three outs but failed to hit any on the board T♠ 3♠ K♦ 6♠ Q♠ , allowing Ong to eliminate him and gain a crucial boost.

Player	Chips
JO Justin OngPhilippines	281,000(18 BB)
KH Kasper HansenDenmark	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 7:41:08 AM

Cheong Crushes Ong For The Double

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

Yun Rong Cheong

After losing a big pot to Rene Mar David, the new chip leader, Justin Ong open-shoved for 243,000. Cutoff Yun Rong Cheong, with 163,000 remaining, called, sending the two players to a showdown.

Yun Rong Cheong: A♥ T♣

Justin Ong: A♠ 8♥

Cheong dominated Ong and picked up a possible chop on the flop 5♣ 3♦ 2♠ . The turn 3♣ changed nothing, and the river T♥ paired Cheong, securing the win and a much-needed double up. Ong suffered another big blow, dropping down to 80,000.

Player	Chips
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	1,050,000(66 BB)
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	356,000(22 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	80,000(5 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 51/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 7:29:20 AM

The Flip That Stuck

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

Renato Villanueva Jr

Facing a raise from early position, cutoff Renato Villanueva three-bet to 60,000. On his left, Siyuan Liu announced a four-bet shove. The initial raiser folded, and Villanueva moved all of his 264,000 into the middle.

Renato Villanueva: A♦ K♠

Siyuan Liu: J♣ J♠

It was a flip, but Liu’s jacks held through the clean board Q♦ 8♥ 2♣ 7♠ J♥ , delivering a knockout for Villanueva.

Player	Chips
SL Siyuan LiuChina	622,000(52 BB)
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 7:28:02 AM

Preflop Action; Kim Soaring

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

Donghyun Kim

At Table 27, Nichols Manalo raised to 25,000 from the hijack and was called by cutoff Junele Oswa. Short-stack Yun Rong Cheong then shoved for 102,000 from the big blind and found no takers.

A couple of hands later, Donghyun Kim opened to 24,000 from middle position and faced a three-bet to 100,000 from Justin Ong on his left. Kim flicked in a time bank while weighing his options before four-betting to 275,000.

Ong went into the tank, burning through several time banks, before eventually deciding to release his hand.

Kim has almost quadrupled his stack since the start of the day.

Player	Chips
DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	840,000(70 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	580,000(48 BB)
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	345,000(29 BB)
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	225,000(19 BB)
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	167,000(14 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 7:19:38 AM

A Hearty Double for Smith

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

Steven Michael Smith

Yonghyun Park raised to 25,000 from the cutoff and was three-bet to 60,000 by Steven Smith on the button. Big blind Alvir Inocentes then four-bet to 105,000, prompting a fold from Park, before Smith five-bet jammed for 228,000. Inocentes stuck in the call:

Steven Smith: A♥ T♥

Alvir Inocentes: A♦ K♦

Smith knocked the table, somewhat acknowledging his fate. However, his eyes widened at the K♥ 2♥ Q♠ flop, knowing another heart would give him the nuts. The J♥ turn secured the double for him, and the T♦ completed the board.

Player	Chips
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	456,000(38 BB)
YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	400,000(33 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	320,000(27 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 7:18:00 AM

Recent Elimination 58-81

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

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
58	ID Ionut DragomirRomania	$1,670
59	JT Jui TaiTaiwan	$1,670
60	HT Hideyoshi TanakaJapan	$1,670
61	VT Van Tung NguyenViet Nam	$1,670
62	NI Nobuhiro ImamuraJapan	$1,670
63	AC Alexis CruzPhilippines	$1,670
64	KS Kosuke SakamotoJapan	$1,670
65	TS Tomonori SanoJapan	$1,670
66	CL Christian LortieCanada	$1,670
67	PH Po Hao LiaoTaiwan	$1,670
68	LD Lucas DittoItaly	$1,670
69	NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	$1,670
70	RS Ryuki ShiraseJapan	$1,670
71	GS Geir SommersetNorway	$1,670
72	SA Sumit AdvaniIndia	$1,465
73	AA Anju AbrolIndia	$1,465
74	KH Kar Huat Alex TiewSingapore	$1,465
75	MP Michael PivoniaIsrael	$1,465
76	TR Teeraphat RangkatekarnThailand	$1,465
77	JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	$1,465
78	KL Kyunghwan LeeSouth Korea	$1,465
79	LK Leo KamiyaAustralia	$1,465
80	KY Kazuo YamamotoJapan	$1,465
81	NA Noel AranielPhilippines	$1,465

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 7:12:59 AM

Jacks Hold Through

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

Ionut Dragomir

Middle position Daishi Ichimanda opened to 25,000, and big blind Ionut Dragomir defended. On the flop 8♣ 6♣ 3♠ , Ichimanda fired a 25,000 continuation-bet, and Dragomir responded with a check-raise all in for 85,000. Ichimanda snap-called, and the players revealed their hands.

Ionut Dragomir: A♣ 3♦

Daishi Ichimanda: J♠ J♦

Dragomir hit bottom pair and had a backdoor flush draw, while Ichimanda maintained the lead with his overpair. The turn 7♦ changed nothing, and the river 5♠ confirmed Ichimanda’s dominance, eliminating Dragomir.

Player	Chips
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	561,000(47 BB)
ID Ionut DragomirRomania	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 7:00:44 AM

From Short Stack To Monster Stack

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

Vincent Wong

By the time I came to the field, Vincent Wong, who had been down to just 4 big blinds around two hours ago, now sits with a massive 800,000 chips. He shared that he doubled up and then hit aces to eliminate Alexis Cruz, who had ace-king, just five minutes ago.

Wong’s remarkable comeback has turned him into one of the players to watch as the tournament heats up.

Player	Chips
VW Vincent WongSingapore	800,000(67 BB)
AC Alexis CruzPhilippines	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 60/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 6:48:03 AM

Cruz Steals The Pot

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

Alexis Cruz

Under the gun +1 and current chip leader Oleg Mordassov opened to 23,000 and found three callers.

On the flop K♣ 6♥ 4♦ , Mordassov fired a 50,000 continuation bet. One player folded, but Alexis Cruz from the button responded by jamming for 190,000. The remaining player folded, allowing Cruz to take down the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips	Progress
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	838,000(84 BB)	-73,000
AC Alexis CruzPhilippines	347,000(35 BB)	134,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 6:38:53 AM

Alway Strikes Again

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

Lucas Ditto

By the time I arrived at Table 26, Anthony James Alway had already eliminated another player.

Under the gun +1, Lucas Ditto open-shoved for 88,000, and Alway called from his big blind.

Lucas Ditto: J♣ T♦

Anthony James Alway: A♣ 9♠

Ditto missed the flop K♦ 3♣ 5♠ but picked up additional outs on the turn Q♠ with an open-ended straight draw. The river 6♣ , however, bricked all of Ditto’s outs, allowing Alway to eliminate another opponent.

Player	Chips	Progress
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	605,000(61 BB)	93,000
LD Lucas DittoItaly	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 6:35:49 AM

One Orbit at Table 31

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

David Erquiaga

Hand 1

Button Lukasz Jankowski raised to 25,000 then called big blind Tomonori Sano's three-bet shove for 70,000.

Tomonori Sano: 4♥ 4♦

Lukasz Jankowski: K♥ Q♣

Sano's fours held on the 7♠ 5♠ 2♥ T♥ J♠ runout, securing a crucial double through Jankowski.

Hand 2

Sano limped from the small blind then folded to big blind David Erquiaga's three-bet shove to 300,000.

Hand 3

Siyuan Liu shoved for 105,000 from early position and received no callers.

Hand 4

Big blind Renato Villanueva Jr. got a walk, flashing A♦ 6♦ as he collected his extra 5,000.

Hand 5

Hyunmo Kim limped from early position and was joined by two limpers, with Liu checking in the big blind.

All four checked the J♠ Q♣ 4♦ flop to the 7♣ turn, where blinds Renato and Liu, plus Sano in middle position, folded to Kim's 20,000 bet.

Hand 6

Erquiaga raised to 22,000 then called Liu's shove from the small blind:

Siyuan Liu: T♣ T♥

David Erquiaga: K♠ J♠

Liu flopped a set on the T♠ 9♦ A♥ flop, and although Erquiaga made a flush on the 6♠ A♠ runout, Liu improved further to a full house, securing a full double.

Hand 7

Jankowski raised to 30,000 in the small blind and collected the big.

Player	Chips
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	655,000(66 BB)
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	280,000(28 BB)
SL Siyuan LiuChina	252,000(25 BB)
HK Hyunmo KimSouth Korea	240,000(24 BB)
MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	220,000(22 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	205,000(21 BB)
TS Tomonori SanoJapan	135,000(14 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 6:32:57 AM

Pocket Jacks Hold Strong

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

Anthony James Alway

Cutoff Anthony James Alway opened to 20,000 and then snap-called the three-bet shove of Sumit Advani from the button for 200,000.

Sumit Advani: A♦ K♦

Anthony James Alway: J♦ J♠

Alway confidently called, only to realize he was flipping against Advani. The flop 9♥ 9♣ 5♠ came safely for Alway, keeping him in the lead for a potential big pot. The turn 8♥ produced no ace or king, leaving Advani with six outs and just one card to hit. The river Q♣ , however, was a queen, crushing Advani’s hopes. Alway delivered the knockout and scored a big chip boost.

Player	Chips	Progress
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	598,000(60 BB)	225,000
SA Sumit AdvaniIndia	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 6:20:00 AM

Chip Leaders

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

Oleg Mordassov

From 128 players at the start, the field has now narrowed to 75 after the first break. Oleg Mordassov is the current chip leader with 1,020,000, officially crossing the 1 million chip mark.

Top 15 Chip Counts

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	1,020,000(102 BB)
BS Billy SorianoPhilippines	905,000(91 BB)
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	733,000(73 BB)
DB Daire BurkeIreland	695,000(70 BB)
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	625,000(63 BB)
YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	587,000(59 BB)
NE Nils EversGermany	578,000(58 BB)
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	562,000(56 BB)
RS Ryuki ShiraseJapan	561,000(56 BB)
JB James BonannoUnited States of America	555,000(56 BB)
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	550,000(55 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	526,000(53 BB)
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	525,000(53 BB)
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	506,000(51 BB)
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	501,000(50 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 75/850

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 5:57:44 AM

Imamura Pays Seo Off

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

Jeongwon Seo

Nobuhiro Imamura opened to 17,000 from under the gun and found calls from Jeongwon Seo in middle position and Jesse Rivera in the big blind.

All three checked the 7♥ 7♦ J♠ flop. On the A♠ turn, Rivera and Seo both called Imamura’s 18,000 continuation bet.

The 6♦ river checked to Imamura, who fired 36,000. Seo raised to 106,000, sending Rivera into a reluctant fold.

Imamura took his time before eventually paying it off, revealing A♦ K♥.

“Ace-jack,” Rivera said, calling the hand before Seo tabled A♥ J♣.

“Queen river, I win,” Rivera muttered, the frustration clear in his voice.

Player	Chips
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	690,000(86 BB)
JR Jesse RiveraUnited States of America	120,000(15 BB)
NI Nobuhiro ImamuraJapan	105,000(13 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:57:04 AM

Recent Elimination 81-103

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

Simon Cohen

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
81	NA Noel AranielPhilippines	$1,465
82	JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	$1,465
83	ZC Zhuoyue CenSingapore	$1,465
84	DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	$1,465
85	PB Patrick BathanPhilippines	$1,465
86	WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	$1,465
87	SC Shao Chen HuangChina	$1,465
88	YT Yoshikawa TaichiroJapan	$1,465
89	PY Paul YugendraMalaysia	$1,465
90	BL Ben LooMalaysia	$1,465
91	SC Simon CohenUnited Kingdom	$1,465
92	JC Jayvon CarreonPhilippines	$1,465
93	LJ Lijo JoseIndia	$1,465
94	JC John Clyde TanPhilippines	$1,465
95	LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	$1,465
96	JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	$1,315
97	SG Soo Ghee LimSingapore	$1,315
98	RG Ronald GorgoniaPhilippines	$1,315
99	YF Yuya FukuiJapan	$1,315
100	KK Kunwoo KimSouth Korea	$1,315
101	OS Ono ShintaroJapan	$1,315
102	JJ Jun Jie LimSingapore	$1,315
103	SH Shion HossainIndia	$1,315

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:51:20 AM

Dominated And Done

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

Ronald Acosta

Small blind John Dela Cruz three-bet shoved for 84,000. The initial raiser, Ronald Acosta, snap-called, setting up a heads-up showdown.

John Dela Cruz: A♣ Q♥

Ronald Acosta: A♦ K♣

Dela Cruz ran into bad news, dominated by Acosta. The board A♥ J♦ 8♥ 6♠ T♦ ran clean for Acosta, delivering a knockout to Dela Cruz.

Player	Chips
RA Ronald AcostaPhilippines	308,000(39 BB)
JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:38:32 AM

Flush Ends The Fight

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

Seunghee Park

Shao Chen Huang

Under the gun +1, Shao Chen Huang open-shoved with 44,000 remaining, and both blinds called. Both blinds checked the flop A♣ 7♣ 4♦ and the turn J♣ , taking it slow, but on the river T♣ , small blind Seunghee Park fired a 55,000 bet, prompting the big blind to fold.

Shao Chen Huang: A♦ J♥

Seunghee Park: Q♣ T♦

Huang hit two pair on the turn, but luck ran out as Park completed a flush on the river, eliminating Huang from the tournament.

Player	Chips
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	520,000(65 BB)
SC Shao Chen HuangChina	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 5:36:15 AM

No Heart for Abrol

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

Anju Abrol and John Cousins limped in from the button and small blind, and Somashekar Mahadeva checked his option.

On the 4♥ 7♥ 6♦ flop, Cousins check-called Abrol’s 15,000 continuation bet, while Mahadeva folded.

The 3♥ and J♥ completed the board, and both players checked it down.

“Just a straight,” Cousins said while tabling 8♣ 5♣, aware a heart would beat him. Abrol showed none, however, and the pot slid Cousins’ way.

In the next hand, Van Tung Nguyen opened to 16,000 from the hijack and picked up calls from John Cousins on the button and Keith Wei Lee in the big blind.

All three players checked the 4♥ J♣ J♦ flop. On the 2♦ turn, Lee led out for 20,000, and both opponents quickly released their hands.

Player	Chips
JC John CousinsCanada	650,000(81 BB)
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	450,000(56 BB)
KW Keith Wei LeeSingapore	345,000(43 BB)
AA Anju AbrolIndia	300,000(38 BB)
VT Van Tung NguyenViet Nam	100,000(13 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:30:05 AM

Quads Crush a Flush Draw

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

Masafumi Kuromiya

Heads up action on Table 31 unfolded between Hyunmo Kim and Masafumi Kuromiya.

The flop 8♦ 2♦ 3♠ and turn 9♦ were already out with around 110,000 in the middle. Kim led for 30,000, and Kuromiya responded by shoving 111,000. Kim used all three of his time banks before deciding to call.

Masafumi Kuromiya: 8♣ 8♠

Hyunmo Kim: A♦ 9♠

Kuromiya held the lead with a set on the flop, while Kim paired the top on the turn and picked up a nut flush draw. Kim still needed a diamond, but the river 8♥ delivered a cruel twist, as Kuromiya hit quads, scoring a full double up.

Player	Chips
HK Hyunmo KimSouth Korea	332,000(42 BB)
MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	254,000(32 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 92/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:14:11 AM

Small Pocket, Big Reward

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

Pre flop action between button Oleg Mordassov and small blind Yun Rong Cheong built a pot of around 136,000. On the flop Q♥ 9♥ 2♦ , Mordassov fired 35,000, and on the turn 9♠ another 86,000, both streets were check called by Cheong. Cheong checked the river T♠ as well, and Mordassov slowed down, opting to check back.

Yun Rong Cheong: A♣ J♣

Oleg Mordassov: 4♣ 4♠

Cheong showed his ace high, but Mordassov’s pocket fours held up. He scooped the big pot and now sits as the current chip leader.

Player	Chips	Progress
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	925,000(154 BB)	195,000
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	167,000(28 BB)	-183,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 5:04:34 AM

Domination On The Felt

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

Ono Shintaro

Hijack Ono Shintaro open-shoved for 64,000. Button Jeongwon Seo re-raised to 150,000, and no one else called.

Ono Shintaro: A♠ 6♠

Jeongwon Seo: A♦ J♠

Seo dominated Shintaro and held through the board A♣ 9♣ 2♣ 3♠ 9♦ , sending Shintaro to the rail and out of the tournament.

Player	Chips
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	410,000(68 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 5:03:29 AM

Table 25 Action and Chip Counts

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

Van Tung Nguyen

Hand 1

Hijack Dauren Zhaparov opened to 12,000 and Van Tung Nguyen called in the big blind.

Nguyen check-called 8,000 on the A♠ A♦ 2♣ flop, and the two players checked through the 4♠ turn.

On the 6♥ river, Nguyen led for 23,000 and Zhaparov released his hand without much hesitation.

Hand 2

Zhaparov raised to 12,000 from middle position but gave it up when Taiichiro Yoshikawa three-bet to 30,000 from the cutoff.

Hand 3

Kim Donghyun raised to 12,000 on the cutoff and picked up the blinds.

Hand 4

Nguyen opened to 12,000 from the cutoff. In the big blind, Li Lok Ching counted out his 106,000 stack and moved it all in.

Nguyen took a moment to study him before deciding to fold.

Player	Chips
DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	225,000(38 BB)
IN Ishan NadkarniIndia	195,000(33 BB)
YT Yoshikawa TaichiroJapan	180,000(30 BB)
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	175,000(29 BB)
DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	165,000(28 BB)
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	120,000(20 BB)
VT Van Tung NguyenViet Nam	119,000(20 BB)
JC Jayvon CarreonPhilippines	115,000(19 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 4:58:58 AM

Double Figure Field

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

The 850-entry field returned today with 128 players, and the pace has been brisk. In the last hour alone, the number has dropped to just 99. With the money getting closer, everyone’s eyeing the payout ladder, watching the jumps, and seeing who can climb their way to the top.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:49:21 AM

Recent Elimination 104-128

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

Oliver Lirio

In just one level, 25 players already locked up a minimum cash. From the 128 who started the day, only 103 remained in the hunt.

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
104	NA Naoya AokiJapan	$1,315
105	OL Oliver LirioPhilippines	$1,315
106	PX Po Xiang Jun ThomasSingapore	$1,315
107	LS Leon StewardPhilippines	$1,315
108	UP Ulf Peter SamuelssonSweden	$1,315
109	TT Takayasu TakumiJapan	$1,315
110	MP Marcin PorawskiUnited Kingdom	$1,315
111	SL Suya LeeSouth Korea	$1,315
112	CG Chee GohSingapore	$1,315
113	ST Saito TakashiJapan	$1,315
114	RM Raymond McglincheyIreland	$1,315
115	SL Seyoon LimSouth Korea	$1,315
116	CS Corine ShiSingapore	$1,315
117	HT Henrik TollefsenNorway	$1,315
118	MD Marvin Dela CruzPhilippines	$1,315
119	BL Barrientos LinoPeru	$1,315
120	LI Lu I MinChina	$1,245
121	GF Gerald FooSingapore	$1,245
122	EM Edison MarzanPhilippines	$1,245
123	JY Jiaxian YeChina	$1,245
124	LN Lavrentiy NiKazakhstan	$1,245
125	HK Hiroki KajiwaraJapan	$1,245
126	MS Manabu SatoJapan	$1,245
127	ZS Zi Sheng TeoSingapore	$1,245
128	JO Jingxiang OngSingapore	$1,245

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 103/850

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:39:25 AM

From Nowhere To The Nuts

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

Jinkwan Kim

Overall chip leader Jinkwan Kim opened to 10,000 and found two callers.

On the flop 6♣ 6♦ 3♠ , Kim moved all in and only big blind Leon Steward remained, check-calling for his last 58,000.

Leon Steward: 6♥ 4♥

Jinkwan Kim: 9♦ 8♣

Steward smashed the flop with lucky trips, leaving Kim almost drawing dead. The turn 8♠ brought a small spark of life when Kim paired up and picked up two outs. The river 8♦ delivered pure shock as Kim completed a runner-runner full house to eliminate Steward.

Steward stood up in disbelief, unable to process what he had just witnessed.

Justin Ong at the table could only erupt. "What? What? What just happened?" From almost drawing dead to runner-runner full house and a knockout.

Player	Chips	Progress
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	789,000(158 BB)	85,000
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 4:34:08 AM

Three Ladies are Enough for Rangkatekarn

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

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn

Nichols Manalo raised to 12,000 from early position and picked up three callers: Naoya Aoki in the hijack, Teeraphat Rangkatekarn in the cutoff, and Rene Mar David in the big blind.

David check-folded when Manalo continued for 15,000 on the 4♣ Q♣ Q♥ flop, leaving only Rangkatekarn to call.

Both players checked the 8♥ turn and saw the 2♠ fall on the river. Manalo checked again, and Rangkatekarn slid out 60,000. Manalo eventually paid it off, only to see K♦ Q♦ for flopped trips, and his cards hit the muck.

Player	Chips
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	350,000(70 BB)
TR Teeraphat RangkatekarnThailand	220,000(44 BB)
SG Soo Ghee LimSingapore	180,000(36 BB)
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	110,000(22 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:22:45 AM

Sweating The Chop

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

Yuya Fukui

Facing a raise, button Yuya Fukui three-bet shoved to 71,000. The initial raiser Nils Evers snap called.

Yuya Fukui: 6♥ 6♠

Nils Evers: A♦ J♦

It was a flip for Fukui’s tournament life and disaster struck on the flop Q♦ J♠ T♥ when Evers paired his jack. The turn 8♥ brought extra hope as Fukui picked up a chance to chop. The river 9♦ completed a straight on the board and the pot was indeed split.

Fukui wiped his forehead, showing he had been sweating the possibility of getting knocked out.

Player	Chips	Progress
NE Nils EversGermany	441,000(88 BB)	6,000
YF Yuya FukuiJapan	77,000(15 BB)	6,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 4:18:38 AM

Prize Pool and Payouts

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

The total prize pool for the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event has been confirmed at PHP 33,392,250 (USD 566,300), surpassing its PHP 20,000,000 guarantee by more than 50%. Players who bust out for a minimum cash will receive PHP 73,000 (~USD 1,345), whilst all eyes will be on the top prize of PHP 5,750,000 (~USD 98,065), plus the coveted Spadie and the bragging rights that come with winning one of the flagship events of the season.

Final Table Payouts

Place	Payout (USD)
1	$98,065
2	$61,400
3	$43,660
4	$34,110
5	$26,180
6	$20,125
7	$15,350
8	$11,940
9	$9,180

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 4:12:57 AM

Porawski and Takumi Tangle Twice

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

Takayasu Takumi

In the first hand, cutoff Marcin Porawski raised to 10,000 and big blind Takayasu Takumi came along for the ride.

They checked through the K♦ Q♠ 3♦ J♣ flop and turn to the K♥ river, where Takumi led out for 18,000. Porawski paused, counted out the chips and made the call, only to see Takumi roll over K♠ 2♠ for rivered trips.

In the following hand, Porawski limped from the hijack and Takumi bumped it up to 23,000 from the small blind. Porawski made the call.

Takumi continued for 13,000 on the 2♥ 9♥ Q♣ flop, but this time folded when Porawski raised to 26,000.

Player	Chips
MP Marcin PorawskiUnited Kingdom	210,000(42 BB)
TT Takayasu TakumiJapan	100,000(20 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:11:22 AM

Jacks Turned To Dust

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

Jinhyun Kim

Facing a raise from hijack, cutoff Lavrentiy Ni three-bet to 26,000. Big blind Jinhyun Kim announced a four-bet shove. The hijack released his hand and Ni went into the tank before calling for his remaining 142,000.

Lavrentiy Ni: J♥ J♦

Jinhyun Kim: T♣ T♠

Ni had Kim in trouble with only two outs, but the flop T♦ 7♦ 5♦ delivered both of them as a ten hit the felt. Ni, however, still had a flush draw. The turn 2♣ and river 5♣ provided no help to Ni.

Kim scored a brutal comeback knockout as Ni hit the rail on a harsh bad beat.

Player	Chips	Progress
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	389,000(78 BB)	154,000
LN Lavrentiy NiKazakhstan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/7/2025, 4:00:59 AM

The Quest Begins

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

Shuffle up and deal. The hunt for the crown begins now.

Best of luck to all the remaining players.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 128/850

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/7/2025, 2:29:38 AM

Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Champion Crowned Today

After four packed starting flights and a guarantee-crushing turnout, the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event returns for its final day with 128 players still in contention. The PHP 20,000,000 guarantee didn’t just get beaten, it was obliterated, setting the stage for a big day ahead at PokerStars LIVE Manila.

Everyone coming back has already secured a cash, but the real fight begins now as the field plays down to a champion under 40-minute levels. Korea’s Kim Jinkwan leads the way with 737,000, followed by fellow countryman Seunghee Park on 611,000. Canada’s John Cousins rounds out the top three with 465,000, while a host of well-known regulars and international contenders sit close behind.

Top 10 Chip Counts

Player	Chips
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	737,000
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	611,000
JC John CousinsCanada	465,000
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	442,000
LK Leo KamiyaAustralia	440,000
NE Nils EversGermany	438,000
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	428,000
PF Patrick FurlongIreland	407,000
AR Abhishek RameshIndia	383,000
LJ Lijo JoseIndia	381,000

Stick with Somuchpoker for on-the-ground coverage and the full run to the finish as the Manila Megastack Main Event champion is crowned today.

SMPSMP

12/7/2025, 12:34:40 AM

Main Event Day 2

Seat Draw

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
NT Nishiki TakuoJapan	190,000	2	2
SH Shion HossainIndia	150,000	16	1
LI Lu I MinChina	138,000	16	2
RO Rikiya OguraJapan	109,000	16	3
VW Vincent WongSingapore	55,000	16	4
MS Mindaugas SimkusLithuania	363,000	16	5
PY Paul YugendraMalaysia	34,000	16	6
RM Raymond McglincheyIreland	79,000	16	7
YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	155,000	16	8
DK Donghyun KimSouth Korea	241,000	17	1
CL Christian LortieCanada	176,000	17	2
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	213,000	17	3
RG Ronald GorgoniaPhilippines	51,000	17	4
JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	40,000	17	5
SL Suya LeeSouth Korea	64,000	17	6
IC Itsuki ChibaJapan	197,000	17	7
SC Shao Chen HuangChina	75,000	17	8
AA Anju AbrolIndia	223,000	18	1
JC John CousinsCanada	465,000	18	2
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	286,000	18	3
KW Keith Wei LeeSingapore	276,000	18	4
DB Daire BurkeIreland	197,000	18	5
PH Po Hao LiaoTaiwan	198,000	18	6
LQ Loc QuachSweden	142,000	18	7
MD Marvin Dela CruzPhilippines	184,000	18	8
PB Patrick BathanPhilippines	143,000	19	1
ZC Zhuoyue CenSingapore	86,000	19	3
JT Jui TaiTaiwan	227,000	19	4
MP Marcin PorawskiUnited Kingdom	222,000	19	5
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	442,000	19	6
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	428,000	19	7
TT Takayasu TakumiJapan	107,000	19	8
HT Henrik TollefsenNorway	123,000	20	1
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	319,000	20	2
NA Noel AranielPhilippines	226,000	20	3
MS Manabu SatoJapan	53,000	20	4
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	359,000	20	5
HN Hadinoto NyoIndonesia	258,000	20	6
JY Jiaxian YeChina	58,000	20	7
AR Abhishek RameshIndia	383,000	20	8
TS Tomonori SanoJapan	118,000	21	1
ZS Zi Sheng TeoSingapore	53,000	21	2
LD Lucas DittoItaly	259,000	21	3
LK Leo KamiyaAustralia	440,000	21	4
GS Geir SommersetNorway	82,000	21	5
HK Hiroki KajiwaraJapan	98,000	21	6
DS Dmitrii SukhorukovRussia	231,000	21	7
JB James BonannoUnited States of America	141,000	21	8
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	737,000	22	1
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	611,000	22	2
RS Ryuki ShiraseJapan	324,000	22	3
NE Nils EversGermany	438,000	22	4
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	51,000	22	5
GF Gerald FooSingapore	175,000	22	6
JO Justin OngPhilippines	291,000	22	7
YF Yuya FukuiJapan	80,000	22	8
JR Jesse RiveraUnited States of America	112,000	23	1
NI Nobuhiro ImamuraJapan	241,000	23	2
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	187,000	23	3
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	137,000	23	4
JS Jeongwon SeoSouth Korea	335,000	23	5
PF Patrick FurlongIreland	407,000	23	6
WG Wei Guang TanSingapore	210,000	23	7
SL Seyoon LimSouth Korea	62,000	23	8
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	306,000	24	1
PX Po Xiang Jun ThomasSingapore	84,000	24	2
YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	110,000	24	3
KK Kunwoo KimSouth Korea	73,000	24	4
JO Jingxiang OngSingapore	32,000	24	5
BL Ben LooMalaysia	83,000	24	6
ST Saito TakashiJapan	222,000	24	7
DI Daishi IchimandaJapan	285,000	24	8
IN Ishan NadkarniIndia	142,000	25	1
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	178,000	25	2
DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	264,000	25	3
JC Jayvon CarreonPhilippines	187,000	25	4
YT Yoshikawa TaichiroJapan	205,000	25	5
BL Barrientos LinoPeru	62,000	25	6
VT Van Tung NguyenViet Nam	68,000	25	7
DH David HowardUnited Kingdom	168,000	25	8
JO Junele OswaPhilippines	306,000	26	1
KH Kar Huat Alex TiewSingapore	161,000	26	2
AO Alessandro OppiciniItaly	244,000	26	3
MY Mc Yeldarb MantosPhilippines	270,000	26	4
AC Alexis CruzPhilippines	224,000	26	5
EM Edison MarzanPhilippines	52,000	26	6
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	337,000	26	7
UP Ulf Peter SamuelssonSweden	81,000	26	8
TR Teeraphat RangkatekarnThailand	165,000	27	1
HT Hideyoshi TanakaJapan	190,000	27	2
MP Michael PivoniaIsrael	161,000	27	3
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	376,500	27	4
NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	201,000	27	5
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	154,000	27	6
SG Soo Ghee LimSingapore	119,000	27	7
NA Naoya AokiJapan	209,000	27	8
BS Billy SorianoPhilippines	361,000	28	1
CS Corine ShiSingapore	122,000	28	2
ID Ionut DragomirRomania	153,000	28	3
KH Kasper HansenDenmark	142,000	28	4
FL Frank LillisIreland	289,000	28	5
SA Sumit AdvaniIndia	225,000	28	6
SC Simon CohenUnited Kingdom	135,000	28	7
OL Oliver LirioPhilippines	66,000	28	8
EM Eoghan MacgabhannIreland	260,000	29	1
BA Boon AngSingapore	276,000	29	2
AL Aaron Lam WeimingSingapore	117,000	29	3
BB Brett BaderUnited States of America	158,000	29	4
KS Kosuke SakamotoJapan	136,000	29	5
RA Ronald AcostaPhilippines	32,900	29	6
LJ Lijo JoseIndia	381,000	29	7
JD John Dela CruzPhilippines	94,000	29	8
KY Kazuo YamamotoJapan	68,000	30	1
LN Lavrentiy NiKazakhstan	142,000	30	2
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	181,000	30	3
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	287,000	30	4
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	245,000	30	5
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	300,000	30	6
JJ Jun Jie LimSingapore	54,000	30	7
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	269,000	30	8
MK Masafumi KuromiyaJapan	167,000	31	1
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	249,000	31	2
SL Siyuan LiuChina	202,000	31	3
CG Chee GohSingapore	37,000	31	4
HK Hyunmo KimSouth Korea	363,000	31	5
KL Kyunghwan LeeSouth Korea	103,000	31	6
JC John Clyde TanPhilippines	137,000	31	7
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	206,000	31	8