Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #42

2025.12.04 - 2025.12.08Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

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

Entries

25/165

Total Chips

4,950,000

Average

198,000

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 3:56:27 PM

Oleg Mordassov Tops Flight A of Manila Megastack 23 Main Event

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

Oleg Mordassov

Flight A of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event has wrapped up after a full day on the floor at PokerStars LIVE Manila. The opening flight drew 165 entries, and after sixteen levels of play and a long march toward the money, just 25 players survived the day to secure a bag and a guaranteed payout heading into Day 2.

Topping the counts is Oleg Mordassov, who finished well ahead of the pack after steadily building throughout the later stages. Mordassov continues to be a formidable force at the tables. A Swiss native who has practically made Manila his poker home, he has quietly racked up close to $100,000 in live earnings, with the bulk of his results coming right here at PokerStars LIVE events. His resume includes deep runs in several APPT Manila stops, highlighted by fourth-place finishes in both the 2024 APPT Warm-Up and the 2023 APPT Manila High Roller Knockout. Add in a steady string of cashes across Megastacks and Super Series festivals, and it’s no surprise to see him back near the top of the counts once again.

Top 10 Chip Counts

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	442,000(88 BB)
LJ Lijo JoseIndia	381,000(76 BB)
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	337,000(67 BB)
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	319,000(64 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	300,000(60 BB)
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	287,000(57 BB)
BA Boon AngSingapore	276,000(55 BB)
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	269,000(54 BB)
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	249,000(50 BB)
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	213,000(43 BB)

Second is India’s Lijo Jose with 381,000. One of the lighter moments of the day came when he four-bet shoved with kings and ran straight into Seyoon Lim’s kings, leaving both players laughing as they chopped the pot. Outside of that hand, Jose kept moving in the right direction and ended the flight with a strong stack.

Rounding out the podium is William Fernandez, who bagged 337,000 after an eventful day at the tables. Fernandez came into the series with just one recorded live cash, a Super Stack result yesterday, but he played with confidence throughout Flight A. Early on, he picked off a multiway pot with a simple pair of fives, then shortly after knocked out Ono Shintaro when his ace-king picked up trips against aces. He continued to gather momentum, winning another pot with pocket fours against Yun Rong Cheong’s ace-queen. By the middle stages he had climbed to second in chips, though he did ship a big double to Michael Pivonia later on when Pivonia’s full house held. Even so, Fernandez finished the day with a solid advantage heading into Day 2.

William Fernandez

The Day's Action

Minwoong Jeong, fresh off his APPT Championship win where he earned PHP 11,850,000 (~USD 203,000) returned to Okada Manila. The newly crowned champion is now taking another shot at glory in the Manila Megastack Main Event, looking to add yet another title to his growing resume.

Another familiar face in the field was Justin Ong, who became the first player to bust but immediately rebought and came back swinging. True to his loose-aggressive style, Ong surged through the field, climbed to the top of the counts, and padded his stack further after knocking out Jeremy Meehan in a button-versus-big-blind clash. Ong’s ace-ten held on a queen-high board, sending Meehan out and pushing Ong well into the lead. Ong would later bust but there's not doubt we'll be seeing him again later in the week.

Steven Smith lost a hefty pot late in the day, firing on the river with pocket kings only to run into Li Lok Ching’s Big Slick, who’d paired his ace. Despite the setback, Smith bounced back shortly after, securing a crucial double through Jingxiang Ong. Smith raised from middle position and called when Ong shoved, and a favorable flop gave him the nut flush. Ong also made a flush by the river, but Smith’s held up, boosting his stack to around 284,000 and giving him plenty of breathing room. He ultimately bagged 287,000, keeping him well inside the top ten going into Day 2.

Steven Smith

Bubbling

Registration closed at the start of Level 11 with 165 entries. Among those fallen include Euryd Rivera, Joemark Vasay, Takuya Inada, Jimin Lim, Somashekar Kurkhepally Mahadeva, Mohamed Illyas Hashim, Daniel Larson, and Jayden Zalac. Still, there's three more flight's for them to get involved in.

Paul Elliott was out in 27th when he shoved from the small blind with king-queen, but couldn't overcome Nichols Manalo’s pocket sixes, sending him out and officially putting the remaining players on the bubble.

After ten hands of hand-for-hand play, the bubble finally burst when George Taburnal shoved and was called by Raymond Tiu, whose set of fives left Taburnal drawing dead on the turn and secured the rest of the field’s places in the money.

George Taburnal

Congratulations to all the survivors from today’s Flight A, who will return on Sunday, December 7th, for Day 2 and the final table. Flight B kicks off tomorrow at 12 PM, so stay tuned to Somuchpoker as the action continues at PokerStars LIVE Manila.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 3:23:27 PM

Bubble Bursts As Tiu Hits Set

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

George Taburnal

After ten hands of hand-for-hand play, the bubble finally burst!

Hijack George Taburnal opened to 14,000, and big blind Raymond Tiu defended. On the flop Q♥ 5♥ 4♣ , Tiu checked and then snap-called Taburnal’s shove for 50,000.

George Taburnal: K♥ J♣

Raymond Tiu: 5♦ 5♣

Tiu flopped a set, leaving Taburnal nearly drawing dead. The turn 2♦ sealed the deal, eliminating Taburnal on the bubble and sending the remaining players into the money.

Congratulations to all the survivors!

Player	Chips
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	319,000(64 BB)
GT George TaburnalPhilippines	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 26/165

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 2:46:23 PM

Elliott Out, Bubble Time Begins

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

Paul Elliott

Cutoff Nichols Manalo opened to 12,000. Small blind Paul Elliott shoved his remaining 41,000 into the middle. Manalo thought for a moment before making the call.

Paul Elliott: K♣ Q♥

Nichols Manalo: 6♠ 6♦

Elliott, risking his tournament life, failed to pair on the flop J♠ 7♥ 2♠ but picked up extra outs on the turn T♥ with an open-ended straight draw. The river 6♥ , however, missed completely, improving Manalo to a set and eliminating Elliott.

With this bust out, the field is now down to 26 and officially on the bubble, moving to hand-for-hand play.

Player	Chips
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	260,000(65 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 2:38:27 PM

Ganbold Out by Big Slick

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

Raymond Tiu

Raymond Tiu raised to 11,000 from the cutoff and button Javkhlan Ganbold moved all in for 39,000 from the button. Tiu called swiftly:

Javkhlan Ganbold: A♥ Q♥

Raymond Tiu: A♠ K♦

Tiu's Big Slick didn't disappoint him on the 4♠ T♥ 7♠ K♠ 9♥ runout, pairing his king for good measure.

Player	Chips
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	270,000(68 BB)
JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 2:32:53 PM

Spades for Smith

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

Steven Michael Smith

Just 28 players remain in Flight A, and with only 25 getting paid the tension is starting to build.

Steven Smith secured a crucial double through Jingxiang Ong to give himself a bit more breathing room and a real shot at a deeper run. Smith raised from middle position, then called when big blind Ong shoved:

Steven Smith: A♠ K♠

Jingxiang Ong: J♣ J♠

Smith couldn’t have asked for a better flop, as the dealer spread 7♠ Q♠ 2♠ for the nut flush. Ong also made a flush by the 9♠ A♥ runout, but Smith’s was the one that counted, earning him the double and taking his stack to around 284,000.

Player	Chips
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	284,000(71 BB)
JO Jingxiang OngSingapore	14,000(4 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 2:26:54 PM

Pivonia Survives Chaos For Huge Double Up

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

Michael Pivonia

The flop K♣ Q♥ 9♣ and turn 8♥ were already on the table when I arrived at Table 28, where Michael Pivonia and William Fernandez were battling. Fernandez, in the big blind, checked, and Pivonia bet 20,000. Fernandez then announced all-in. Pivonia tanked before calling for his tournament life with his remaining 99,000

Michael Pivonia: K♠ Q♦

William Fernandez: J♥ T♥

Pivonia was not thrilled when Fernandez tabled his hand, but the river K♥ brought one of his four outs. The table erupted, and a player even shouted "Straight flush!", thinking Fernandez had crushed Pivonia’s full house.

Pivonia briefly thought he had lost and stand up, but the dealer confirmed he won. Laughter filled the table as Pivonia raked in a huge double up.

Player	Chips
MP Michael PivoniaIsrael	227,000(57 BB)
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	209,000(52 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 31/165

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 2:03:17 PM

Mordassov’s Kings Cut Down Stefan

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

Oleg Mordassov

Cutoff Aaron Stefan opened to 6500 and small blind Oleg Mordassov three-bet to 22000. Action escalated quickly when Stefan announced a four-bet shove for 133000, almost the average stack, and Mordassov snap-called.

Aaron Stefan: 9♣ 9♦

Oleg Mordassov: K♠ K♣

It was the perfect moment to wake up with kings. Mordassov’s hand stayed strong through the board J♣ 6♦ 4♣ J♣ Q♦ , sending Stefan out of the tournament. Mordassov now climbs near the top of the counts as the field moves to the last four tables. Only seven more eliminations remain before the money.

Player	Chips	Progress
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	382,000(127 BB)	139,000
AS Aaron StefanUnited States of America	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 1:58:53 PM

Deuces Double Lortie

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

Christian Lortie

A short-stacked Christian Lortie moved all in for 55,000 from the big blind after Oleg Mordassov had already put in a bet from under the gun. Mordassov, who had him covered about 5:1, eventually made the call:

Christian Lortie: 2♣ 2♥

Oleg Mordassov: A♠ 9♣

Mordassov had two overcards to work with, but neither connected on the J♣ 7♥ 8♦ 4♥ 5♣ runout, giving Lortie a much-needed double.

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	230,000(77 BB)
CL Christian LortieCanada	110,000(37 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 1:50:47 PM

Dakota Anderson Runs Into Queens

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

Dakota Anderson

Folded to the cutoff, Tan Keng Yong raised to 6000 and the button called. In the small blind, Dakota Anderson shoved his last 76000. Yong made the call and the button folded, setting up a heads up showdown.

Dakota Anderson: K♥ Q♦

Tan Keng Yong: Q♥ Q♣

Anderson was down to just three outs but picked up extra hope on the flop T♦ 9♦ 7♥ with a gut shot draw. The turn 3♣ and river A♦ , however, brought no help, and Anderson was eliminated.

Player	Chips
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	251,000(84 BB)
DA Dakota AndersonUnited States of America	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 1:38:31 PM

Chip Leaders

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

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	435,000(145 BB)
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	255,000(85 BB)
BA Boon AngSingapore	234,000(78 BB)
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	233,000(78 BB)
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	233,000(78 BB)
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	231,000(77 BB)
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	216,000(72 BB)
LJ Lijo JoseIndia	215,000(72 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 34/165

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 34/165

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 1:18:56 PM

Ten More To Fall Before The Money

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

With 35 players remain and only 25 will reach the money and advance to Day 2. Here are the players who were recently eliminated:

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	busted
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	busted
FM Fabio MeloniItaly	busted
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	busted
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	busted
KK Kunwoo KimSouth Korea	busted
NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	busted
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 1:12:16 PM

Cowan Bites the Dust; Bubble Approaching

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

Graham Cowan

After losing a hefty portion of his stack doubling William Fernandez with his aces in a previous hand, Graham Cowan got his 23,000-chip short stack in from the small blind, and Siim Luik called from the button after a previous action:

Graham Cowan: Q♠ 9♥

Siim Luik: A♥ 2♠

Luik made a full house on the 8♥ 2♠ 7♥ 7♦ 7♠ runout, adding a small boost to his stack.

10 players remain before the field is ITM.

Player	Chips
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	160,000(64 BB)
SL Siim LuikEstonia	130,000(52 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 1:09:36 PM

Last Minute Entry Pays Off For Rangkatekarn

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

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn

Middle position Fabio Meloni opened to 5,000, and on the button Teeraphat Rangkatekarn, who registered at the last minute, three-bet to 15,000. Action returned to Meloni, who announced a four-bet shove for 56500, and Rangkatekarn snap called.

Fabio Meloni: A♠ K♦

Teeraphat Rangkatekarn: K♠ T♦

Meloni had Rangkatekarn dominated before the flop, but everything changed when Rangkatekarn paired his ten on the flop T♥ 9♠ 2♣ . Meloni was left needing one of his three outs, but the runout 6♠ 2♥ brought no help and his tournament came to an end.

Player	Chips
TR Teeraphat RangkatekarnThailand	151,000(60 BB)
FM Fabio MeloniItaly	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 12:50:47 PM

Kings Collide And The Pot Gets Split

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

Lijo Jose

Facing a raise, Seyoon Lim three-bet to 16,000. On his left, Lijo Jose responded with a four-bet shove. The initial raiser got out of the way, and Lim snap-called.

Lijo Jose: K♠ K♦

Seyoon Lim: K♣ K♥

Both players burst into laughter when they tabled identical hands, a rare sight on the felt. With no surprises on the runout 8♠ 7♣ A♣ 4♠ 7♠ , the two chopped the pot and moved on to the next hand.

Player	Chips
SL Seyoon LimSouth Korea	119,000(48 BB)
LJ Lijo JoseIndia	73,500(29 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 12:46:24 PM

Aces No Good Against Ten-Seven

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

Anthony James Alway

Cutoff Anthony Alway raised then called big blind Marco Espela’s 12,000 three-bet.

The dealer spread the 8♥ 4♥ J♦ flop and Espela continued for 14,500. Alway took his time before moving his covering stack in. Espela snap-called to put himself at risk:

Marco Espela: A♠ A♣

Anthony Alway: T♥ 7♥

Espela’s aces were only slightly ahead, with Alway holding plenty of equity. The T♣ turn didn’t bring the straight or flush, giving Alway just a pair, but the T♠ river upgraded him to trips, which was enough to crack Espela’s aces.

Espela looked understandably frustrated as he left the floor.

“Pretty sick flop,” Alway said as he dragged in Espela’s stack.

Player	Chips
AJ Anthony James AlwayUnited States of America	155,000(62 BB)
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 41/165

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 12:27:00 PM

Double Trouble Turns Into Double Up For Gorgonia

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

Ronald Gorgonia

Facing a raise from early position, cutoff William Fernandez three-bet to 12,000 and small blind Ronald Gorgonia smooth-called, sending the initial raiser out of the way. With the pot heads up, Fernandez shoved on the flop T♠ 9♣ 8♣ after Gorgonia checked. Gorgonia thought it over before calling off his remaining 45,500.

Ronald Gorgonia: Q♠ Q♦

William Fernandez: 7♥ 7♦

Gorgonia was well ahead, but Fernandez still had outs. The turn J♥ brought a straight for both players, but Gorgonia’s was the higher one. Fernandez could only hope to chop on the river 9♥ , but no saving card arrived, giving Gorgonia a much-needed double up.

Player	Chips
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	149,500(75 BB)
RG Ronald GorgoniaPhilippines	123,000(62 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 12:22:49 PM

Mordassov Setting Up for a Deep Run

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

Oleg Mordassov

Oleg Mordassov continues to be a formidable force at the tables. A Swiss native, but ever since his first logged cash back in 2012, the vast majority of his results have come from APPT events here in Manila.

And while there’s no record of him lifting a title in these events, he’s certainly giving himself another solid chance to turn today’s run into something deeper.

In the latest hand on him, James Bonanno opened to 5,000 from under the gun and Mordassov called in the big blind.

Both players checked the 8♣ 3♣ J♦ flop and saw the 7♠ turn, where Mordassov led for 5,000. Bonanno called.

On the J♣ river, Mordassov fired 15,000 and Bonanno reluctantly paid it off.

Mordassov showed A♥ 7♦ for a pair of sevens, good for the pot.

“You weren’t playing me then, you were playing the pot, bro,” Bonanno joked.

“I was 100% sure of the hand. Ace-king?” Mordassov asked. Bonanno gave an affirming nod.

Player	Chips
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	290,000(145 BB)
JB James BonannoGuam	30,000(15 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 12:12:49 PM

Quiambao’s Bet Sends Yong Packing

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

Cezar Quiambao

Folded to the small blind, Tan Keng Yong raised to 6,000. Cezar Quiambao defended his big blind. On the flop T♥ K♥ 3♥ , Yong check-called Quiambao’s 4,000 bet.

The turn K♣ brought another bet of 10,500 from Quiambao. Yong tanked for a moment but eventually let his hand go, folding to Quiambao’s pressure.

Player	Chips
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	134,000(67 BB)
CQ Cezar QuiambaoPhilippines	78,000(39 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 12:07:46 PM

Taking Flight from Flight A

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

Some of the players who have busted following the close of registration! Still, there's plenty of time to get back involved and chase that PHP 20M GTD prize pool in the three remaining flights.

Player	Chips
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	busted
JV Joemark VasayPhilippines	busted
TI Takuya InadaJapan	busted
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	busted
SK Somashekar Kurkhepally MahadevaIndia	busted
MI Mohamed Illyas HashimSingapore	busted
DL Daniel LarsonUnited States of America	busted
JZ Jayden ZalacAustralia	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 48/165

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 11:54:42 AM

Nadkarni’s Queens Stand Tall

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

Under the gun, Jimin Lim, who earned his seat by winning the Mystery Bounty, opened to 3,000 and called the three-bet of Ishan Nadkarni for 11,500.

On the flop J♥ 6♠ 2♦ , Lim checked before shoving after Nadkarni fired a 6,000 continuation bet. Nadkarni snap-called and proudly revealed his hand.

Jimin Lim: K♣ J♦

Ishan Nadkarni: Q♥ Q♦

Lim hit top pair, but Nadkarni held the overpair. The turn 3♠ and river T♠ brought no help for Lim, and he was eliminated from the tournament.

Player	Chips
IN Ishan NadkarniIndia	141,000(94 BB)
JL Jimin LimSouth Korea	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 11:48:22 AM

Manila Megastack 23 in Full Swing

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

Manila Megastack 23 is in full bloom, with all 52 tables, including tournament and cash game tables, completely full! Players are lined up to register, and the action on the felt is buzzing. New players keep arriving as if the turnout is endless.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 11:38:08 AM

No Showdowns Needed

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

Hand 1

Shawn Jie raised to 3,000 from under the gun and only big blind Fabio Meloni called.

Meloni checked the J♠ Q♦ K♦ flop, then shook his head and mucked when Jie bet 2,500.

Hand 2

Martin Astorga raised to 3,000 under the gun and picked up three callers: Yun Xiang Lee on the button, plus Meloni and Jie in the blinds.

Meloni checked the Q♠ K♠ 2♠ flop. Jie checked as well, and Astorga put 2,000 into the middle. Lee folded before Meloni check-shoved for 26,000. Both opponents let it go.

Hand 3

Hijack Siim Luik and small blind Jie limped in, and Astorga checked his option.

The dealer spread an A♣ K♦ 8♦ flop, and both blinds quickly folded when Luik fired 3,000.

Player	Chips
SL Siim LuikEstonia	181,000(121 BB)
SJ Shawn JieSingapore	70,000(47 BB)
FM Fabio MeloniItaly	40,000(27 BB)
YX Yun Xiang LeeSingapore	40,000(27 BB)
MA Martin AstorgaPhilippines	25,000(17 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 11:37:22 AM

Taburnal Trips Crushes Christensen

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

George Taburnal

Mathias Christensen moved all in for 25,500 and got a caller in George Taburnal.

Mathias Christensen: K♣ Q♥

George Taburnal: A♥ J♥

Taburnal hit top pair on the flop J♣ 8♣ 6♦ , but Christensen remained alive with outs. The turn J♦ , however, gave Taburnal trips, leaving Christensen drawing dead. The river T♠ was just a formality as Taburnal secured the pot and eliminated Christensen.

Player	Chips
GT George TaburnalPhilippines	84,500(56 BB)
MC Mathias ChristensenDenmark	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 11:25:28 AM

Registration Closed!

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

Registration has officially closed with the final tally hitting 165 entries. There are currently 62 players in their seats, and they’ll be playing down to the final 25. Those players will return on Sunday for Day 2, already in the money.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 57/156

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 57/156

Chip race for 100-denomination chips.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 11:07:29 AM

Cowan Cripples Rivera With River Two Pair

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

Graham Cowan

Facing a raise, Graham Cowan in the cutoff called, only to have Euryd Rivera three-bet shove for 47,100 from his left. Cowan moved all in, but action was still on the initial raiser, who eventually folded. Cowan called for 40,700, setting up a high stakes showdown.

Graham Cowan: Q♠ T♠

Euryd Rivera: A♦ K♦

River action brought drama as the flop A♥ Q♥ 3♠ favored Rivera, giving him the lead, though Cowan still had outs. The turn 7♥ stayed safe for Rivera, but the river T♣ delivered a shock. Cowan hit two pair, crippling Rivera’s stack and leaving him stunned at the table.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	86,800(72 BB)
ER Euryd RiveraPhilippines	6,400(5 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 10:56:48 AM

Inocentes Builds a Growing Stack

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

Alvir Inocentes

Under the gun, Alvir Inocentes opened to 2,400 and attracted three callers. On the flop Q♦ 4♠ 2♣ , Inocentes fired 3,000, and only small blind Edgar Asehan check-called.

Inocentes continued his aggression on the turn 8♠ with a 4,500 bet, and Asehan again check-called. The river T♥ saw Inocentes move all in, prompting Asehan to fold.

With the hand, Inocentes’ stack continued to grow as he asserted control over the table.

Player	Chips
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	246,000(205 BB)
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	14,700(12 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 10:43:57 AM

Lirio Holds To Eliminate Purohit

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

Oliver Lirio

Cutoff Oliver Lirio opened and called the all-in of big blind Anant Purohit for 21,000.

Anant Purohit: J♥ T♥

Oliver Lirio: A♦ T♣

Lirio dominated preflop and held through the board Q♦ 8♦ 5♣ 7♦ 5♥ , knocking out Purohit and adding a big boost to his stack.

Player	Chips
OL Oliver LirioPhilippines	109,000(91 BB)
AP Anant PurohitIndia	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 10:37:51 AM

Final Call For Flight A Registration

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

This is the last level to enter, as registration will close after this round. Hurry and join the action at Flight A of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 62/152

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 10:26:19 AM

Sato’s Flush Cracks Kings

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

Manabu Sato

Under the gun, Muthukumaran Govindasamy opened to 2,500 and received one call. Hijack Manabu Sato three-bet shoved for 26,600. Govindasamy flat called, and the initial caller folded.

Manabu Sato: A♥ J♥

Muthukumaran Govindasamy: K♥ K♣

Sato gave Govindasamy a scare after picking up a flush draw on the flop T♦ 7♥ 4♥ . The turn 6♠ was safe for Govindasamy, but the river 6♥ delivered a heart, completing Sato’s flush and cracking Govindasamy’s kings.

Player	Chips
MS Manabu SatoJapan	58,700(49 BB)
MG Muthukumaran GovindasamyMalaysia	36,000(30 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 10:16:04 AM

Big Stacks And Nearing Registration Close

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

Nichols Manalo

More than half of the field is already out, the chips are getting big, and registration is nearly closing. Here are the current chip leaders:

Player	Chips
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	195,000(163 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	178,000(148 BB)
OM Oleg MordassovSwitzerland	168,000(140 BB)
SL Siim LuikEstonia	167,000(139 BB)
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	135,000(113 BB)
LN Lavrentiy NiKazakhstan	132,000(110 BB)
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	118,000(98 BB)
DS David SingontikoUnited States of America	112,000(93 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 10:04:52 AM

Cheong’s Shove Falls Short

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

Yun Rong Cheong

Yun Rong Cheong moved all in for 11,800 and got a caller from cutoff William Fernandez.

Yun Rong Cheong: A♦ Q♠

William Fernandez: 4♠ 4♥

Fernandez wished Cheong good luck as the dealer revealed the flop 9♦ 6♦ 5♣ . With no ace or queen appearing on the runout T♥ T♣ , Cheong was eliminated after the runout.

Player	Chips
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	163,000(136 BB)
YR Yun Rong CheongSingapore	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 68/148

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 9:50:25 AM

Kings are No Match for Nine-Three

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

Seunghee Park

Hijack Siim Luik and button Fabio Meloni limped in before small blind Seunghee Park raised to 5,000. Big blind William Fernandez called, as did Luik.

The dealer spread the 9♣ 3♣ Q♥ flop and Park continued for 10,000. Fernandez folded, and Luik instantly shoved for around 70,000. Park snap-called and was visibly disgusted when the cards went over:

Seunghee Park: K♥ K♣

Siim Luik: 9♥ 3♥

Luik had somehow flopped two pair, and his tablemates noted he’d “been running so good today; knocked someone out earlier with queen-deuce, runner-runner turn and river.” Not a great omen for Park.

Park picked up a flush draw on the A♣ turn, but the 4♠ river bricked out, sending him to the rail.

Player	Chips
SL Siim LuikEstonia	120,000(120 BB)
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	70,000(70 BB)
FM Fabio MeloniItaly	40,000(40 BB)
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 9:36:05 AM

Jankowski Down, but Not Out

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

Lukasz Jankowski

Lukasz Jankowski, fresh off a deep run in the Super Stack event last night where he bubbled the final table, is wasting no time getting involved in Flight A of the Main Event. He’s sitting on around 29,000 in chips, shorter than some, but as he proved yesterday, he can be dangerous when he wants to be. He already showed some muscle in the mixed games at the start of the series, just missing the podium in the PLO Bomb Pot event.

With close to USD 200,000 in total live earnings and around two-thirds of his recorded cashes this year coming right here in Manila, mainly in APPT events, there’s no doubt he’s got what it takes to put together another deep run when it matters.

Player	Chips
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	29,000(29 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 9:23:19 AM

More Bullets Required

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

Registration for Flight A of the Main Event closes at the start of level 11, in approximately one hour and 40 minutes. Here's a selection of names who may be tempted to stick another bullet in the chamber:

Player	Chips
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	busted
AR Abhishek RameshIndia	busted
KS Kyu Suk ShinSouth Korea	busted
JM Jeong MinwongSouth Korea	busted
FD Ferdinand Dela CruzPhilippines	busted
HS Hiroto ShiraiJapan	busted
TR Teeraphat RangkatekarnThailand	busted

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 92/136

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 8:58:30 AM

Ustiuzhanin’s Run Comes To An End

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Nikita Ustiuzhanin couldn’t recover and was eliminated after moving all in for 4,000, facing a call from button Renato Villanueva and big blind An Qi Kwoi.

The action continued to the flop T♠ 2♠ 4♣ , where both Villanueva and Kwoi checked. On the turn A♦ , Villanueva fired a big bet, prompting Kwoi to fold and leaving Ustiuzhanin’s hand to be revealed.

Nikita Ustiuzhanin: K♠ 7♥

Renato Villanueva: A♦ Q♦

Villanueva left Ustiuzhanin drawing dead after hitting top pair on the turn. The river T♥ was a mere formality, ending Ustiuzhanin’s run. Registration, however, remained open for three more levels.

Player	Chips
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	103,000(129 BB)
AQ An Qi KwoiSingapore	26,500(33 BB)
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 8:50:52 AM

Manalo Takes the Lead

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Nichols Manalo

Akihiro Kawaguchi raised to 1,600 from middle position and received calls from button Nichols Manalo and big blind Steven Smith.

Smith check-folded when Kawaguchi bet 1,500 on the A♦ 4♦ Q♦ flop, and Manalo called.

The A♥ paired the board and Kawaguchi checked again. Manalo then took the lead, sliding 3,500 into the middle, and it didn’t take long for Kawaguchi to send his cards back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	42,000(53 BB)
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	38,000(48 BB)
AK Akihiro KawaguchiJapan	33,000(41 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 8:43:13 AM

Ching Holds vs Kings

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Steven Michael Smith

Steven Smith limped in from under the gun, as did small blind Nichols Manalo. Big blind Li Lok Ching then raised to 3,800, and both limpers stuck around.

The dealer fanned the 6♠ Q♦ A♣ flop. Manalo checked, and Ching put 5,000 into the middle, getting called only by Smith.

On the 3♣ turn, Ching led for 9,000 and Smith called.

The 4♠ completed the board and Ching checked. Smith then took the lead, firing 17,500. Ching tanked for a short while before eventually calling. Smith tabled K♥ K♣ for pocket kings, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Ching’s A♦ K♦, with a paired ace on the flop.

Player	Chips
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	67,000(84 BB)
SM Steven Michael SmithAustralia	45,000(56 BB)
NM Nichols ManaloPhilippines	32,000(40 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 8:41:47 AM

Tan Hangs On by a Thread

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Johnson Tan

Folded to the button, Johnson Tan moved all in for his last 7,000 and table chip leader Graham Cowan made the call, wishing him good luck.

Johnson Tan: 4♠ 4♦

Graham Cowan: T♣ 9♠

Cowan picked up a gut shot on the flop K♣ Q♣ 2♥ to add to his overcard outs, but Tan stayed ahead. The turn Q♥ brought even more outs for Cowan as the equities tightened to nearly even.

The river 3♥ , however, sided with Tan, securing him a much-needed double up.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	91,000(114 BB)
JT Johnson TanPhilippines	15,200(19 BB)

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 89/133

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 89/133

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 8:19:26 AM

Park Applies Maximum Pressure

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Under the gun, Ishan Nadkarni opened to 1,300. Action folded around to the small blind where Yonghyun Park three-bet to 3,500.

On the flop Q♣ J♣ 8♦ , Park continued the aggression with a 4,000 continuation-bet and Nadkarni made the call.

When the turn 4♦ landed, Park wasted no time and announced all in. Nadkarni quickly folded, giving Park the pot without needing to see a river.

Player	Chips
YP Yonghyun ParkSouth Korea	59,800(100 BB)
IN Ishan NadkarniIndia	30,900(52 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 8:08:57 AM

Five-Bet Fury Forces a Fold

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Evgenii Khvorostinin

Action folded to the small blind where Michael Pivonia raised to 600. In the big blind, Evgenii Khvorostinin responded with a three-bet to 2,400. Pivonia took a minute before firing back with a four-bet to 8,500.

Khvorostinin wasted no time and answered with a five-bet jam for 50,500. Pivonia quickly released his hand into the middle, conceding the pot without a fight.

Player	Chips
EK Evgenii KhvorostininRussia	59,600(99 BB)
MP Michael PivoniaIsrael	45,700(76 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 8:07:43 AM

Aces Cracked by Big Slick in Table 24 Action

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Hand 1

The first action at table 24 saw Ono Shintaro all in and at risk against William Fernandez, with Shintaro’s bullets looking in rough shape against Fernandez’s Big Slick.

Shintaro had A♦ A♥, but it was no match for Fernandez’s A♠ K♣, who spiked two kings on the 5♣ K♠ K♦ 6♣ T♥ runout, giving him trips and knocking Shintaro out.

"Sorry, I know it was a bad call," Fernandez said. "I better win this tournament," he quipped, hoping his luck would continue through the day.

Hand 2

The next hand saw Seunghee Park raise to 1,200 to folds around the table. Last-to-act Fernandez tabled five-deuce offsuit, saying "sorry, no customers here," just before Park showed pocket aces of his own, to the shock and relief of the table.

Hand 3

In the third hand, Dmitrii Belikov raised to 1,200 from the cutoff and received a call from big blind Park.

Park check-called Belikov’s 1,100 bet on the 2♥ 7♥ 8♥ flop. Action repeated on the 3♣ turn, this time for 3,000.

Both checked the 7♦ river and Park sheepishly tabled A♣ 2♦ for bottom pair. Amazingly, it was good for the pot as Belikov mucked with a chuckle.

Hand 4

Jingxiang Ong raised to 1,300 from middle position, picking up two callers, before Oliver Lirio three-bet shoved for his last 4,800 from the big blind. Only Ong called:

Oliver Lirio: A♠ Q♥

Jingxiang Ong: A♣ 9♠

Lirio looked set for a double, and his queen-kicker held on the 2♦ 6♥ A♥ 4♣ 6♦ runout, securing a vital double and then some.

Player	Chips
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	54,000(90 BB)
DB Dmitrii BelikovRussia	49,000(82 BB)
MI Mohamed Illyas HashimSingapore	40,000(67 BB)
JO Jingxiang OngSingapore	20,000(33 BB)
OL Oliver LirioPhilippines	13,000(22 BB)
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	9,000(15 BB)
OS Ono ShintaroJapan	busted

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 7:55:02 AM

Flush Beats The Flip

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Frank Lillis

Early position Marvin Dela Cruz opened to 1,500, then called the three-bet shove of Frank Lillis for his remaining 7,200.

Marvin Dela Cruz: K♥ J♥

Frank Lillis: 5♣ 5♠

It was a classic flip, and Lillis looked poised for a double on the flop Q♠ 8♣ 6♣ , but Dela Cruz pulled ahead with a pair on the turn J♣ . Lillis wasn’t done, though, as he picked up a flush draw. The river 3♣ completed it, giving Lillis the flush and the double up.

Player	Chips
FL Frank LillisIreland	32,100(54 BB)
MD Marvin Dela CruzPhilippines	15,600(26 BB)

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 91/113

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 7:33:11 AM

Kawaguchi Caught In The Act

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Akihiro Kawaguchi

The board 9♦ 7♣ 5♠ Q♦ 4♦ was already up when I arrived at Table 29.

Akihiro Kawaguchi and Lavrentiy Ni were heads up, having built a pot of 20,700. Ni checked and Kawaguchi moved all in for his remaining 20,000. Ni took nearly two full minutes to think it through before sliding in the call.

Akihiro Kawaguchi: A♦ 6♥

Lavrentiy Ni: K♣ Q♣

Kawaguchi tried to push Ni off the pot with a shove, but Ni called and Kawaguchi’s bluff was revealed as the cards hit the felt.

Player	Chips
LN Lavrentiy NiKazakhstan	73,500(147 BB)
AK Akihiro KawaguchiJapan	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

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

Table 30 Action and Counts

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Hand 1

Hijack Jinkwan Kim limped in, as did button Zhuoyue Cen, before calling big blind Siim Luik's raise to 2,000.

All three players checked the A♥ T♥ 5♦ flop, taking them to the J♣ turn, where Luik led out for 3,000. Only Kim called to see the 3♥ complete the board, and action went check-check.

Kim tabled Q♦ J♥, but Luik took the pot with A♠ J♠ for two pair.

Hand 2

A couple of hands later, hijack Cen raised to 1,100. Cutoff Jason Wei and big blind Adam Ford stuck in the call.

All three checked the 8♦ 7♣ T♠ flop. The dealer peeled off the 6♦ turn, where Cen bet 2,500, shaking both

opponents off the pot.

Hand 3

Wei, now in early position, raised to 2,000 and received calls from cutoff Fabio Meloni and big blind Ramon Pablo.

Action checked through the 8♠ 5♥ 2♣ flop to the 6♠ turn, where Pablo led out for 2,500, prompting swift mucks from both Wei and Meloni.

Player	Chips
SL Siim LuikEstonia	80,000(160 BB)
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	44,000(88 BB)
ZC Zhuoyue CenSingapore	36,000(72 BB)
RP Ramon PabloPhilippines	33,000(66 BB)
FM Fabio MeloniItaly	31,500(63 BB)
AF Adam FordAustralia	27,000(54 BB)
JN Jason Ng Tze WeiSingapore	16,000(32 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 7:16:41 AM

From First Out To First In Chips

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Jeremy Meehan

After being the first player to bust, Justin Ong rebought and stormed back into contention. With his loose aggressive style, it was no surprise that he climbed all the way to the top of the counts and became the current chip leader.

Ong added even more to his stack after eliminating Jeremy Meehan.

Meehan opened to 1,200 on the button, and big blind Ong raised to 6,200. Meehan, with 11,900 behind, shoved and Ong snap called.

Jeremy Meehan: K♠ J♦

Justin Ong: A♣ T♣

Meehan had live cards but failed to connect with the board Q♣ 6♦ 5♠ 2♣ A♠ , sending him out of the tournament and boosting Ong’s stack even further.

Player	Chips
JO Justin OngPhilippines	86,000(172 BB)
JM Jeremy MeehanAustralia	busted

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 84/100

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 6:58:23 AM

Ustiuzhanin Holds With Tens

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Nikita Ustiuzhanin

After losing kings to Renato Villanueva’s aces, Nikita Ustiuzhanin moved all in for 5,000 and got a caller from big blind An Qi Kwoi.

Nikita Ustiuzhanin: T♠ T♥

An Qi Kwoi: A♠ 7♠

Ustiuzhanin’s tens held after no ace appeared on the board 8♣ 6♥ 6♦ J♦ K♦ , keeping him alive in the tournament.

Player	Chips	Progress
AQ An Qi KwoiSingapore	24,600(62 BB)	-5,400
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	10,600(27 BB)	5,600

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 6:47:33 AM

Small Blind, Big Payoff

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Facing a raise from early position, current chip leader Yuki Nakamatsu called. Small blind Raymond Tiu floated to 6,200. The initial raiser folded, and Nakamatsu called.

Tiu fired a 4,400 continuation-bet on the flop A♣ Q♣ 7♥ , which Nakamatsu called once more. After the dealer revealed the turn 2♥ , Tiu shoved all of his chips totaling 15,900 into the middle. Nakamatsu laid it down, awarding the pot to Tiu.

Player	Chips	Progress
YN Yuki NakamatsuJapan	65,300(163 BB)	-10,600
RT Raymond TiuPhilippines	38,700(97 BB)	12,200

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 6:34:44 AM

Three Hands at Table 21

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Hand 1

George Taburnal raised to 800 from middle position and picked up calls from button Seung Hyun Han, small blind Graham Cowan, and big blind William Fernandez.

All four players checked the 7♦ 7♥ 9♥ flop to the 9♦ turn, where Cowan fired 5,600 and only Han continued.

Cowan followed up with 2,000 on the Q♦ river. Han called.

"I have eights," Cowan said, sounding unsure if he was good while showing 8♣ 8♥. After a quick look at the board, Han mucked and Cowan dragged the pot.

Hand 2

Taburnal opened again from middle position and was called by button Cowan, small blind Fernandez, and big blind Boon Ang.

Action checked through the T♠ 8♣ 6♠ 5♥ 6♣ board. Cowan tabled 4♣ 4♠, hoping his pocket pair was good for a second hand in a row.

Fernandez showed 9♦ 5♦, winning it with a pair of fives.

Hand 3

Haruki Seiha raised to 1,000 from middle position and both blinds, Ang and Seiya Kawada, came along.

Both checked and called when Seiha continued for 1,500 on the A♣ T♣ J♦ flop.

The 6♦ turn went check-check again before Seiha made it 3,500. Ang raised to 10,000 and Kawada stepped aside.

The J♠ landed on the river and Ang slid in a single 5,000 chip. Seiha called. Ang tabled K♦ Q♥ for a flopped straight, while Seiha showed A♥ K♥, looking a little frustrated with how it played out.

Player	Chips
BA Boon AngSingapore	55,000(138 BB)
WF William FernandezUnited States of America	33,000(83 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	31,000(78 BB)
GT George TaburnalPhilippines	29,000(73 BB)
SK Seiya KawadaJapan	25,000(63 BB)
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	23,000(58 BB)
HS Haruki SeihaJapan	12,000(30 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 6:33:07 AM

Villanueva Rockets Past Ustiuzhanin

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Renato Villanueva Jr

Cooler action unfolded at Table 26 between Renato Villanueva and Nikita Ustiuzhanin.

Under the gun Ustiuzhanin opened to 800, and cutoff Villanueva three-bet to 2,000. Action returned to Ustiuzhanin, who four-bet to 6,600. Villanueva tanked before moving all in for 28,500, and Ustiuzhanin snap-called.

Renato Villanueva: A♣ A♦

Nikita Ustiuzhanin: K♠ K♦

Both players held monster hands, but Villanueva’s rockets held up on the board Q♥ 9♦ 4♥ 6♠ 7♠ , giving him a clean double up against Ustiuzhanin.

Player	Chips	Progress
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	58,000(145 BB)	29,500
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	16,100(40 BB)	-28,500

Level 4: 200 / 400 ante: 400

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 72/80

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 70/78

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 6:09:16 AM

APPT Champion Minwoong Jeong Returns To The Felt

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Minwoong Jeong

Minwoong Jeong, who won the APPT Championship, is back at Okada Manila. Jeong took home a shard and a hefty PHP 11,850,000 (~US$ 202,070) after defeating Craig Daniel Jones in the heads-up match.

Now he is seated once again at the Manila Megastack Main Event, aiming to capture another victory at PokerStars LIVE Manila.

Player	Chips

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 6:00:29 AM

Quinto Survives Trips vs Flush Draw

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Ador Quinto

After a rough start, Ador Quinto was all in for 6,500 on the flop A♠ A♣ 5♠ with a 6,000 pot against Jinkwan Kim.

Ador Quinto: A♥ 6♥

Jinkwan Kim: Q♠ 6♠

Quinto flopped trips but still needed to dodge Kim’s flush draw. The turn 8♦ and river Q♦ produced no spades, and Quinto remained alive in the tournament.

Player	Chips
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	47,500(158 BB)
AQ Ador QuintoPhilippines	19,000(63 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 5:48:11 AM

Aso Lets It Go

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Seitaro Aso

David Singontiko limped from middle position as did hijack Seitaro Aso. Danilo Magtanong Jr then raised to 1,400 and only Aso stuck around with the call.

The dealer fanned the 8♠ 9♥ 6♠ flop and Aso checked. Magtanong Jr thought for a while before eventually counting out a 1,200 bet. Aso had a quick check of his cards before swiftly sending them into the muck.

Player	Chips
DM Danilo Magtanong JrPhilippines	27,000(90 BB)
DS David SingontikoUnited States of America	24,000(80 BB)
SA Seitaro AsoJapan	22,000(73 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 5:47:04 AM

Yong Cracks Baba’s Kings

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Tan Keng Yong

Heads-up preflop action between Tan Keng Yong and Kouichi Baba built a pot of around 9,000. Baba led out with a 6,500 bet on the flop J♠ 8♠ 6♦ , then called Yong’s shove of 28,200.

Tan Keng Yong: J♣ 8♣

Kouichi Baba: K♥ K♠

Yong flopped top two pair, giving Baba some outs. The turn J♦ further improved Yong to a full house, leaving Baba with just two outs. The river 9♥ missed, and Yong cracked Baba’s kings for a full double up.

Player	Chips
TK Tan Keng YongSingapore	65,400(218 BB)
KB Kouichi BabaJapan	9,500(32 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 5:43:48 AM

Chop Chop

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Dauren Zhaparov opened to 700 from under the gun and only the blinds stuck around.

Small blind Sandeep Mirchandani check-called Javkhlan Ganbold’s 1,200 bet on the 8♠ 7♥ 7♦ flop, with Zhaparov getting out of the way.

Both players checked the A♦ turn and went to the 2♥ river, where Mirchandani led for 900. Ganbold called and showed T♣ 8♥ - Mirchandani revealed 8♥ 6♣, chopping the pot with two pair each.

Player	Chips
SM Sandeep MirchandaniHong Kong	35,000(117 BB)
DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	28,000(93 BB)
JG Javkhlan GanboldMongolia	24,000(80 BB)

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 68/71

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 5:24:05 AM

Luik Doubles Through Llamedo

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Noel Llamedo, a former champion of the daily PHP 1 Million guaranteed and a Main Event seat winner after defeating Lenart Ecarma heads-up, returned to the felt against Siim Luik.

The flop K♠ 7♣ 6♥ and turn Q♣ had built a pot of around 6,000. Big blind Llamedo bet 4,000, and on the button, Luik shoved all in for 22,000. Llamedo tanked before making the call.

Siim Luik: K♥ Q♥

Noel Llamedo: Q♠ 7♦

The turn was a disaster for Llamedo. He improved to two pair, but Luik had a higher two pair. Llamedo was left with just two outs on the river 8♥ but failed to hit. Luik doubled up, leaving Llamedo with 6,200.

Player	Chips
SL Siim LuikEstonia	50,000(250 BB)
NL Noel LlamedoPhilippines	6,200(31 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 5:11:58 AM

Lucky Jack for Bonanno

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

James Bonanno opened to 400 from the hijack, with button Leon Steward calling, before Seungyong An, fresh from the reg desk, three-bet to 1,100. Both Bonanno and Steward called.

An fired 1,000 on the 3♠ T♣ 9♣ flop and only Bonanno made the call.

The 5♦ hit the turn and An led again, this time for 2,700. Bonanno called once more.

The J♦ completed the board and An upped it to 5,500. Bonanno called for a third time. An tabled 7♠ 7♥ for pocket sevens, but it was Bonanno who scooped the hefty pot with Q♣ J♥, having chased a straight draw and instead getting there with top pair on the river.

Player	Chips
JB James BonannoGuam	49,000(245 BB)
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	29,000(145 BB)
SA Seungyong AnSouth Korea	19,000(95 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 5:06:20 AM

Bonanno Takes Control on the River

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

James Bonanno

Sandeep Mirchandani opened to 400 from middle position and received calls from blinds James Bonanno and Nikita Ustiuzhanin.

Bonanno check-called and Ustiuzhanin check-folded when Mirchandani continued for 700 on the J♦ 3♣ 2♣ flop.

The A♠ landed on the turn and Bonanno checked again. Mirchandani fired 2,100, which was called.

Bonanno then led out on the J♣ river for 5,100. Mirchandani almost instantly mucked his hand.

Player	Chips
JB James BonannoGuam	38,000(190 BB)
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	31,000(155 BB)
SM Sandeep MirchandaniHong Kong	25,000(125 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 5:06:00 AM

Quinto Trips The River

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Ador Quinto

Folded to the button, Ador Quinto opened to 500, and big blind Paul Elliott defended. Quinto fired a 500 continuation-bet on the flop J♠ 2♥ 8♦ , which Elliott check-called.

Both players checked the turn A♥ and went to the river J♥ . Quinto fired 2,300 on the river, and Elliott check-called before mucking his hand after seeing Quinto’s K♥ J♣ river trips.

Player	Chips
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	27,100(136 BB)
AQ Ador QuintoPhilippines	24,100(121 BB)

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 40/41

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 4:49:47 AM

Alexis Lim Back In Action

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Alexis Lim

After winning last night’s Super Stack and claiming his 7th spadie, Alexis Lim returned to the felt for Flight A of the Main Event. Lim earned his seat in the Main Event and used it here in Flight A, along with PHP 582,076 (~US$ 10,112).

He shared yesterday that he had been running bad over the past few years but had a strong run in 2025 and hoped his good streak would continue.

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 4:40:36 AM

Rough Return For Justin Ong

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Justin Ong

After winning both the APPT Manila Main Event and the PokerStars Red Dragon at APPT Manila 2025, Justin Ong returned to the felt for the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event. His run, however, ended almost as quickly as it began. Ong started with a 30,000 stack but slid down to 13,200 before shoving blind without looking at his cards. Small blind Dakota Anderson responded with a re-shoved.

Justin Ong: J♦ 6♦

Dakota Anderson: A♥ Q♦

Ong gave Anderson a sweat after picking up a flush draw on the flop A♦ 5♦ 3♥ , while Anderson made top pair. The turn 6♠ and river 2♥ produced no diamond, and Ong exited the tournament in just twenty minutes, becoming the first player out.

Player	Chips
DA Dakota AndersonUnited States of America	46,000(460 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	busted

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 4:34:37 AM

Luik Pounces on the River

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Siim Luik

Ador Quinto limped in from under the gun, followed by Siim Luik to his left. In the next seat, Paul Elliott raised to 400, and both Quinto and Luik called once the action folded back around.

All three checked the 4♥ 3♣ Q♣ flop, taking them to the 8♠ turn. Quinto led for 600 and both opponents called.

The J♥ completed the board and Quinto bet 1,200. Luik responded with a raise to 3,000, which pushed Elliott out of the way. Quinto thought it over for a while before eventually giving it up and sending his cards to the dealer.

Player	Chips
SL Siim LuikEstonia	34,000(340 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	31,000(310 BB)
AQ Ador QuintoPhilippines	27,000(270 BB)

Callum JuryCallum Jury

12/4/2025, 4:29:33 AM

Elliott Picks Up an Early Pot

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Paul Elliott

Jinkwan Kim opened to 400 from under the gun and picked up calls from button Paul Elliott and the two blinds, Dauren Zhaparov and Paolo Boccaletti.

Both blinds check-folded when Elliott continued for 500 on the Q♠ 2♥ 4♦ flop, and Kim made the call.

Kim checked again on the A♥ turn, but Elliott fired a second barrel for 600, which was enough to push Kim off the pot.

Player	Chips
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	31,700(317 BB)
DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	29,500(295 BB)
PB Paolo BoccalettiItaly	29,500(295 BB)
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	28,300(283 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 4:19:47 AM

Early Bird Players

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Sixteen players were already seated before the clock started.

Player	Chips
PB Paolo BoccalettiItaly	30,000(300 BB)
JB James BonannoGuam	30,000(300 BB)
PE Paul ElliottAustralia	30,000(300 BB)
NG Nikolai GuliaevRussia	30,000(300 BB)
JK Jinkwan KimSouth Korea	30,000(300 BB)
JM Jeremy MeehanAustralia	30,000(300 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	30,000(300 BB)
RP Ramon PabloPhilippines	30,000(300 BB)
LS Leon StewardPhilippines	30,000(300 BB)
NU Nikita UstiuzhaninRussia	30,000(300 BB)
AV Aaron ValenciaUnited States of America	30,000(300 BB)
KY Kazuo YamamotoJapan	30,000(300 BB)
DZ Dauren ZhaparovKazakhstan	30,000(300 BB)
FD Ferdinand Dela CruzPhilippines	30,000(300 BB)
YN Yuki NakamatsuJapan	30,000(300 BB)
AQ Ador QuintoPhilippines	30,000(300 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 4:14:30 AM

Flight A Officially Kicks Off!

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

After a slow start, Flight A of the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event officially kicked off with 16 players already seated and taking their shot.

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/16

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

12/4/2025, 2:03:21 AM

Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Gets Underway At Okada Manila

The wait is finally over! The highly anticipated Manila Megastack 23 Main Event kicks off today at PokerStars LIVE Manila inside the luxurious Okada Manila. With a massive PHP 20,000,000 (~US$ 338,000) guarantee, players can take their shot for a PHP 45,000 (~US$ 760) buy in for a shot at one of the biggest titles on the local circuit and the chance to etch their name among the select few who have raised the iconic big spadie.

The previous edition Manila Megastack 22 saw Thailand’s Kiwanont Sukhum claim the championship for PHP 3,410,000 (US 59,470). That event drew 652 entries and generated a PHP 25,613,820 (US 446,695) prize pool. Sukhum denied William Ysmael in the heads up duel, stopping him from becoming the first ever two time Manila Megastack Main Event champion. Ysmael previously triumphed in Manila Megastack 19 and Manila Super Series 17.

Flight A Begins Today

Fligh A fires off at 12 p.m. local time with a 30,000 (300 BB) starting stack and 40 minute levels.

Registration closes at the end of Level 10 at approximately 7:10 p.m. and even late entrants will still enjoy 27 big blinds to work with.

Each flight will play down to the money at approximately 15% of the field and all qualifiers advance to Day 2 already in the money. There are four starting flights with Flight D running as a turbo.

On top of the hefty payouts the top three finishers of the Main Event will earn a PHP 125,000 APPT Manila Main Event Package for APPT Manila 2026.

Manila Megastack 23 Main Event Schedule

Date/s: December 4 to 7 2025

Buy in: PHP 45,000 (~US$ 760)

Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~US$ 338,000)

Flight A: December 4 at 12 p.m.

Flight B: December 5 at 12 p.m.

Flight C: December 6 at 12 p.m.

Flight D (Turbo): December 6 at 8 p.m.

Day 2 and Final Day: December 7 at 12 p.m.

Stay tuned as Somuchpoker brings you live coverage and updates straight from the tournament floor.

Event starts 12:00 local time..