Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #3

2025.06.06 - 2025.06.08Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

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

Entries

3/402

Total Chips

10,050,000

Average

3,350,000

30 Seats Guaranteed

July 22, 2025

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/14/2025, 4:04:48 AM

APPT Manila Super Qualifier - 30 Seats GTD

Break

Leading up to the most anticipated event in the Philippines, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) is offering players a rare shortcut. Running from July 20-22, 2025 at Okada Manila is the APPT Manila Super Qualifier which serves as a direct passage to the APPT Manila Main Event (₱58 Million Guaranteed) at just a fraction of the ₱80,000 buy-in. Players can now secure a seat for just ₱9,000!

Unlike traditional satellites, this is a milestone event where players earn an APPT Manila Main Event seat the moment they accumulate 100,000 chips. No waiting for bubbles and final table negotiations, just hit the target and the seat is in the bag. Additionally, there are many chances to get there with 30 seats guaranteed.

For those looking to stretch value even further, the Step 1 Qualifier offers an even cheaper path. With a buy-in of just ₱2,000, players can vie for one of ten guaranteed seats into the Super Qualifier. The format mirrors the milestone structure with 50,000 as the goal to win a seat.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 3:41:36 PM

Masafumi Kimura Claims Victory in Warm-Up Event

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

Masafumi Kimura

It all came down to consistency and one of the sickest reads and calls in the festival thus far, but despite ending the proceedings in a 3-way ICM chop, Japan’s Masafumi Kimura continues his blistering here as he copped the (Event #3) Warm-Up event of the Manila Super Series 22 at Pokerstars Live here in Okada Manila, besting a field of 402 entries for PhP209,800 (~US$3,752).

Masafumi triumphed in (Event #4) Run-It-Twice a couple of days ago and picks up his fourth career championship—all here at Pokerstars Live—having won the Run-It-Twice as well during Manila Megastack 20 last year and this year’s 20/15/10 in Manila Megastack 21.

“I'm feeling really happy right now. Winning two trophies in three days is amazing, and it's extra special because I also won two trophies at the last Manila Megastack. But I really want to win a PokerStars Main Event like the Manila Super Series, Megastack, or even APPT.”

After the elimination of erstwhile chip leader Michael Manlapaz of the Philippines in fourth place, the three remaining players tussled for a bit until Filipino veteran Jester Intia drew almost even to chip leader Raymundo Gomez via an outdraw. After that, they convened and agreed to chop it up and award the trophy to the Japanese campaigner.

“It was very difficult. There are so many good players here, both local and international. The competition is always strong, and you really have to be focused every step of the way. I’m just glad I was able to come out on top."

“I wanted to share the money with the other players. But at the same time, I really wanted the trophy. So the ICM deal felt like a good balance for everyone.”

The turning point, even among the players and aficionados who witnessed it, happened with still five players remaining as Kimura took on the always unpredictable and aggressive post-flop specialist Manlapaz wherein the Filipino bombarded on a board of K♣ 5♠ A♦ 2♠ 4♦ and made a big bet on the river. Kimura used a timebank card and made the call that had Manlapaz instantly muck his hand. Kimura turned over Q♦ 6♦ . He called with Queen high on that scary board.

“Yes, that was a key hand, I remembered that Michael (Manlapaz) had called several times preflop without raising, so I had a good read on his range. On the AK board, his line didn’t make much sense. It felt like he was bluffing. Based on his actions and the board texture, I thought he might have something like J7 or 10-8. I believed queen high was good.”

It will still go down as the talk of the event.

Second place officially went to Gomez although he won the most money, taking home PhP227,900 (~US$4,085) as he had the most chips (not by much) during the ICM chop. Intia was third for PhP197,300 (~US$3,535).

The Final Table participants also receive APPT Super Qualifier packages worth PhP9,000 (~US$160).

Top 9 Payouts

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	$3,752
2	RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	$4,076
3	JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	$3,528
4	MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	$1,970
5	MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	$1,520
6	JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	$1,165
7	PN Patrick NoonanIreland	$825
8	MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	$680
9	KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	$570

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 2:30:31 PM

3-Way ICM Chop Agreement Reached, Kimura Declared Champion

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

The three remaining combatants have agreed to spilt the remaining prize money via ICM chop and decided that Masafumi Kimura of Japan takes down the title.

Raymundo Gomez of the Philippines still gets the biggest cut as he was still barely the chip leader when the agreement was reached. Gomez gets second place and pockets the adjusted prize of PhP227,900 (~US$4,085) while Kimura earns PhP209,800 (~US$3,760). Jester Intia, also of the Philippines, takes third for PhP197,300 (~US$3,535).

Congratulations to this trio besting a field of 402 entries in the Warm-Up!

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 2:08:15 PM

Intia Forecasts Yet Another Winner

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

Jester Intia

Jester Intia is still swinging away and continues to defy logic as a card seer.

Raymundo Gomez opens from the UTG/D for 500,000 and Intia shoves from the SB for his remaining 1,280,000. Gomez, the chip leader, makes the call.

Intia turns over A♣ 2♠ while Gomez shows J♠ J♥ .

Prior to the dealer putting out the flop, Intia calls for the Ace of Diamonds.

The flop comes A♦ 3♠ 6♣ as those railing became astonished. The turn is the 3♦ and the river is the 3♣ as Intia doubles through with a higher boat and almost pulls abreast of his opponent.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	2,880,000(18 BB)	29	1
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	2,950,000(18 BB)	29	5

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 2:06:56 PM

Michael Manlapaz Finishes in 4th place for PhP110,000 (~US$1,970)

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

Michael Manlapaz

Former chip leader Michael Manlapaz puts it all on the line as he open shoves from UTG for his remaining stack of 1,785,000 and it folds to the SB where Masafumi Kimura makes the call.

Manlapaz turns over 6♦ 6♠ while his Japanese opponent shows A♥ Q♦ .

The flop instantly swung the favor to Kimura: A♦ J♠ 2♠ and there was no miracle on the horizon for the Filipino as the 3♥ and the 7♠ completed the runout.

With three players remaining, they are now all guaranteed PhP140,000 (~US$2,510).

Player	Hand	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	UTG	busted
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	SB	4,420,000(28 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 2:05:09 PM

Intia Doubles Up Off Gomez

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

Just as Raymundo Gomez appears to be heading into cruise control, his UTG raise to 250,000 is greeted by a 3-bet shove from Jester Intia from the SB for his last 640,000. Gomez makes the call.

Intia shows 7♦ 7♣ while Gomez is actually in a coin-flip for his opponent’s tournament life with K♣ 9♥ .

The runout, however, was bogey-free for Intia: J♥ 4♣ 4♦ Q♦ 5♦ as Intia moves into the seven-digit chip mark. Gomez still has a massive lead against the rest of the competition.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	1,520,000(13 BB)	29	1
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	4,200,000(35 BB)	29	5

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 1:01:51 PM

Gomez Pilfers More from Manlapaz

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

Raymundo Gomez

The ongoing saga between Raymundo Gomez and Michael Manlapaz continues on the very next after Manlapaz lost the chip lead as Gomez opens from the D for 260,000. Manlapaz calls from the SB.

The flop goes 9♦ Q♥ 5♣ as Manlapaz checks and Gomez fires again, this time for 250,000. Manlapaz calls. The turn card is the 3♠ as this time both slow down and check. The river is the 6♣ as Manlapaz checks a third time. Now, Gomez unloads 700,000 to which Manlapaz folds.

In two hands, Gomez has not only taken the chip lead away from Manlapaz but doubled his stack as opposed to his foe’s.

Player	Hand	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	D	4,850,000(40 BB)
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	SB	2,260,000(19 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 1:00:12 PM

Gomez Once Again Takes Chip Lead Away from Manlapaz

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

Raymundo Gomez

The action is folded to the blinds where Raymundo Gomez completes his SB but is met with a raise from the BB from chip leader Michael Manlapaz to 300,000. Gomez calls.

The flop goes 8♥ 5♥ K♠ as Gomez checks to the raiser. Manlapaz CBets 400,000 as Gomez calls. The turn is the K♥ and this time, both check. The river is the 6♣ as now Gomez bets 500,000. Manlapaz makes the snap call.

Gomez unveils K♣ 7♥ for trips on the turn while Manlapaz shows A♠ A♥ and is lucky to lose the minimum.

Manlapaz does lose the chip to Gomez anew.

Player	Hand	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines		4,100,000(34 BB)
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines		2,800,000(23 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 12:45:44 PM

Mark Anthony Ciruelos Finishes in 5th Place for PhP85,000 (~US$1,525)

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelos

From UTG, Mark Anthony Ciruelos raises it to 280,000 and erstwhile chip leader Michael Manlapaz calls from the D.

The flop is 4♦ 5♥ T♣ as Ciruelos continues for 300,000. Manlapaz raises all-in and Ciruelos tanks and utilizes his last timebank card before making the call for his remaining 1,670,000.

To Ciruelos’ surprise, however, Manlapaz tables J♥ J♣ while Ciruelos turns over K♣ T♥ .

Still with outs, the turn is the 9♦ and the river is the 4♦ to officially bust Circuelos in blindsided fashion.

Four players remain now all assured of PhP110,000 (~US$1,970).

Player	Hand	Chips
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	UTG	busted
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	D	4,410,000(37 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 12:44:05 PM

Gomez Overtakes Manlapaz for Chip Lead in Chop

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

Raymundo Gomez has it folded to him in SB where he completes in as chip leader Michael Manlapaz check his option in the BB.

The flop goes T♦ 9♦ 7♣ as both check. The turn is the Q♦ and once again they skip the street. The river is the K♠ and no one fires.

Gomez shows K♥ 2♦ while Manlapaz tables K♦ 6♠ for a split pot, but Manlapaz posted the ante, that is also divided, hence Gomez wins a little more and it is enough to take the chip lead away from Manlapaz.

Player	Hand	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	SB	2,400,000(20 BB)
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	BB	2,120,000(18 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 12:33:37 PM

Kimura with Sick Read, Sick Call

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

Masafumi Kimura

The action folds to chip leader Michael Manlapaz on the D who limps in anew and it gets to the BB of Masafumi Kimura who keeps the pot unraised.

The flop comes K♣ 5♠ A♦ as both players check. The turn is the 2♠ and this time, Manlapaz bets 120,000. Kimura calls. The river is the 4♦ as Kimura checks a fourth time. Manlapaz unleashes 400,000 as Kimura goes into the tank and consumes one timebank in process. He makes the call.

Manlapaz instantly mucks his hand as Kimura turns over Q♦ 6♦ for a ridiculous call with Queen high.

Manlapaz still has the chip lead, but Kimura’s gutsy play has him hovering in the vicinity.

Player	Hand	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	D	2,270,000(19 BB)
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	BB	2,220,000(19 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 5/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 12:32:36 PM

Ciruelos Enters Twom Million Club

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelos

Mark Anthony Ciruelos opens from UTG for 250,000 and gets a BB defense from Masafumi Kimura.

The flop is 8♦ Q♦ Q♥ as Kimura checks. Ciruelos CBets for the same 250,000 and gets called. The turn is the Q♣ and Kimura checks again. This time, the Filipino tanks and uses a timebank card nefore declaring that he is all-in for 860,000. Kimura takes his time to consider and ends up burning two timebank cards. Consequently, the Japanese player chooses to fold.

Ciruelos’ win makes him the third Filipino to breach the two million chip mark.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,330,000(13 BB)	29	3
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	2,010,000(20 BB)	29	4

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 12:31:54 PM

Kim Jongsu finishes in 6th place for PhP65,000 (~US$1,165)

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

Jongsu Kim

Chip leader Michael Manlapaz has to folded to him on the D and proceeds to make a raise to 200,000. In the BB, Korea’s Kim Jongsu 3-bet shoves for his evaporating stack of 340,000. Manlapaz makes a snap call.

Kim turns over 9♦ 7♠ while Manlapaz brandishes K♠ K♣ .

The runout goes T♠ 2♠ 3♦ 5♠ 2♣ as Manlapaz now soars to over three million in chips while Kim leaves in sixth place.

There are only five players remaining, all now guaranteed PhP85,000 (~US$1,525).

Player	Hand	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	D	3,200,000(32 BB)
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 12:30:53 PM

Intia Doubles Up on “Forecasted” River Card

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

The action gets folded to big stack Raymundo Gomez on the D and he raises it to 200,000. In the BB, Jester Intia announces he is all-in for his remaining 390,000. Gomez calls.

Intia tables A♠ 5♥ while Gomez has him dominated with A♣ J♦ .

The flop goes 6♦ 7♥ Q♣ while the turn is the 6♣ . With his chances looking bleak, Intia (in his big baritone voice) calls out for the 5♣ which does appear on the river.

The double up by Intia was hardly felt by Gomez, but more artillery is given to a dangerous competitor.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	930,000(9 BB)	29	1
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	2,360,000(24 BB)	29	5

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:58:31 AM

Gomez Inches Closer

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

Raymundo Gomez opens from the +1 position for 200,000 and draws two callers in chip leader Michael Manlapaz in the HJ and Masafumi Kimura in the BB.

The flop is J♥ 4♣ 2♠ as Kimura checks. Gomez CBets for 250,000 and it is enough to get his opponents off the hand.

Gomez is now in solo second place.

Player	Hand	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	UTG+1	2,500,000(25 BB)
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	HJ	2,930,000(29 BB)
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	BB	1,980,000(20 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:51:09 AM

Manlapaz Deals Double KO, Reclaims Chip Lead

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

Marciel Cerbito Patrick Noonan

Right after the break, former chip leader Patrick Noonan opens from UTG for 200,000 as it folds to the SB where another former chip leader in Michael Manlapaz makes the call. In the BB, Marciel Gerbito 3-bets all-in for 540,000 while Noonan’s response is a 4-bet shove for 815,000.

Manlapaz, who still covers both, snap calls.

Gerbito turns over A♣ Q♦ while Noonan has K♥ J♥ . Manlapaz, however, tables A♥ A♦ .

The flop brings in Q♥ 6♦ 3♦ to give Gerbito additional outs while the turn shows the 5♥ to give Noonan additional outs. None of them show up for the embattled pair as the K♣ appears on the river as the well-placed trap works wonderfully for Manlapaz.

Gerbito finishes in eighth place for PhP38,000 (~US$680) while Noonan captures seventh for PhP46,000 (~US$825).

Six players remain.

Player	Hand	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	UTG	busted
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	SB	3,300,000(33 BB)
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:48:59 AM

Updated Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	540,000(5 BB)	29	1
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	730,000(7 BB)	29	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,830,000(18 BB)	29	3
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	1,610,000(16 BB)	29	4
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	640,000(6 BB)	29	5
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	1,950,000(20 BB)	29	6
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	540,000(5 BB)	29	7
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	815,000(8 BB)	29	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:47:56 AM

Gomez Strips Manlapaz of Chip Lead

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

In a rarity in the Final Table, chip leader Michael Manlapaz opens from UTG for 200,000 and folds to the BB where Raymundo Gomez defends.

The flop is T♣ 6♥ 2♠ as Gomez checks. Manlapaz continues for 200,000 anew and gets check-raised all-in by Gomez for 735,000. Manlapaz makes the call.

Gomez tables A♠ T♦ while Manlapaz shakes his head as he shows 9♣ 9♠ .

The last two community cards of the hand are the 8♦ and the 2♣ .

Manlapaz’s stack goes down considerably and is now overtaken by Gomez.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	1,990,000(25 BB)	29	5
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	1,780,000(22 BB)	29	6

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:46:26 AM

Cerbito Pushed Away

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

Still smarting from losing a big chunk of his chips a few prior to the aces of fellow Filipino Mark Anthony Ciruelos, Marciel Cerbito is at it again, this time opening from the HJ for 180,000. It folds to Japan’s Masafumi Kimura who defends his BB.

The flop comes T♦ 8♠ 2♦ as Kimura checks. Cerbito CBets for 80,000 and Kimura calls. The turn is the K♦ and once again the Japanese player checks. This time, the Filipino fires 250,000. Kimura proceeds to check-raise all-in. Cerbito is covered. After contemplating, Cerbito folds but not before losing more chips.

Cerbito is now down to just over five BBs.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,850,000(23 BB)	29	3
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	415,000(5 BB)	29	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:45:33 AM

Ciruelos Doubles Up with Rockets

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

From the +1 position, Mark Anthony Ciruelos raises it up to 125,000 and gets called by chip leader Michael Manlapaz in the HJ. Meanwhile, in the CO, Marciel Gerbito 3-bets it to 625,000 and it gets folded back to Ciruelos who shoves his remaining stack of 700,000. Manlapaz folds and Gerbito calls.

Ciruelos turns over A♥ A♦ that completely blindsides his fellow Filipino who shows 7♥ 7♠ .

The runout goes 5♥ 6♦ Q♦ J♥ Q♥ as the double up Ciruelos drops Gerbito to below the one million chip mark.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	1,750,000(22 BB)	29	4
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	2,710,000(34 BB)	29	6
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	925,000(12 BB)	29	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:44:46 AM

Manlapaz Takes from Noonan

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

Michael Manlapaz

The action folds to chip leader Michael Manlapaz on the D and he once again limps in. It folds to the BB of Patrick Noonan who checks his option.

The unraised pot sees a flop of J♣ 6♥ 3♦ as Noonan checks. Manlapaz leads out for 80,000 and Noonan calls. The turn is the 8♠ as this time, Noonan donks for 150,000. Manlapaz makes the call. The river card is the 8♥ and now further action transpires.

Noonan is first to show and the Irishman tables Q♥ T♣ for a miss while Manlapaz takes it down with 6♠ 4♦ middle pair on the flop.

The loss drops Noonan to just above the one million mark while Manlapaz’s separation from the other seven players behind is becoming more definitive.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	2,890,000(36 BB)	29	6
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,100,000(14 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:43:12 AM

Manlapaz Repels Two

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

Chip leader Michael Manlapaz has hardly raised when coming into a pot and once again the Filipino limps in from the +1 position and is joined by other players in Masafumi Kimura from the SB and Mrk Anthony Ciruelo from the BB who checks his option.

The flop is A♣ 5♠ 8♦ as all three players check. The turn is the 9♦ as the blinds check anew. Manlapaz bets 160,000 and it’s enough to take down the pot.

Manlapaz is moving closer to the three million chip mark.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,240,000(16 BB)	29	3
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	775,000(10 BB)	29	4
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	2,680,000(34 BB)	29	6

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:41:51 AM

Kimura Nearly Pulls Abreast of Noonan

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

Masafumi Kimura

Just as the new level dawns, Patrick Noonan opens from the CO for 200,000 only to be greeted by a 3-bet shove from Masafumi Kimura from the BB for all of his 1,080,000.

Noonan didn’t need a timebank card to fold but the move put the Japanese player to within in a heartbeat of drawing level against the former overall chip leader.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,400,000(18 BB)	29	3
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,500,000(19 BB)	29	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:40:00 AM

Circuelos Launches Bid for Seven Figures

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelos

The very next hand has Mark Anthony Ciruelos opening from the +1 position for 150,000 and getting a customer in chip leader Michael Manlapaz in the HJ. Everyone else folds.

The flop comes J♣ 4♥ 2♦ as Ciruelos goes into the tank and burns a timebank card before deciding to bet 125,000. Manlapaz folds as Ciruelos inches closer to the one million chip mark.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	2,410,000(40 BB)	29	4
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	940,000(16 BB)	29	6

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:39:11 AM

Gomez Enters One Million Club

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

In the 20th hand of the Final Table, Raymondo Gomez opens from the HJ for 125,000 and gets called in the SB by Patrick Noonan.

The flop goes 8♥ J♣ Q♦ as Noonan checks. Gomez CBets for 80,000 and gets called. The turn is the 6♠ and this time, both check. The river is the 9♥ as Noonan checks a third time. Gomez fires 200,000 and gets the Irishman to release his cards into the muck.

Gomez now also has seven digit holdings.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	1,000,000(17 BB)	29	5
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,780,000(30 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:38:23 AM

Manlapaz Wields Anew

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

Chip leader Michael Manlapaz limps in from UTG and the action folds all the way to Raymundo Gomez in the BB who checks his option.

The unraised pot sees a flop of T♦ 9♥ 5♦ as Gomez checks. Manlapaz leads out for 150,000 and it’s enough to have his compatriot to fold.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	555,000(9 BB)	29	5
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	2,700,000(45 BB)	29	6

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:37:40 AM

Gomez Burns Timebanks Against Noonan

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

The very next hand sees Raymundo Gomez open from the CO for 120,000 and it folds to the BB of erstwhile chip leader Patrick Noonan as the Irishman chooses to defend.

The flop goes A♥ 8♣ J♠ as Noonan checks and Gomez continues for 75,000. Noonan makes the call. The turn is the 6♠ and this time, both check. The river is the 3♦ and now Noonan leads out for 225,000. Time banks are now in play here in the Final Table and the Filipino uses up two of his immediately at this early stage. Gomez eventually decides to fold, awarding the pot to Noonan.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	525,000(9 BB)	29	5
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,900,000(32 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:36:49 AM

Manlapaz Pads Lead

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

On the tenth hand of the Final Table, Raymundo Gomez has it folded to him on the D and raises it up to 125,000 and gets called by chip leader Michael Manlapaz in the SB.

The flop is J♣ T♦ 5♥ as both players check. The turn is the 7♥ and once again both opt to skip this betting street. The river is the 7♦ and this time, Manlapaz bets 125,000. Gomez elects to call.

Manlapaz shows 6♥ 5♠ for bottom pair. Gomez mucks.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	720,000(12 BB)	29	5
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	2,420,000(40 BB)	29	6

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 11:34:23 AM

Kim Hyoungchul Finishes in 9th Place for PhP31,736 (~US$1,285)

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

Kim Hyoungchul

After the first five hands of the final table carried no significant action, the sixth hand opens from the +2 position as the Philippines’ Michael Manlapaz limps in and gets raised from the LJ to 135,000 by fellow Filipino Marciel Gerbito. At the CO, Kim Hyoungchul puts his remaining 95,000 in the pot as Manlapaz decides to call Gerbito’s raise.

The flop comes Q♥ Q♠ 6♠ as Manlapaz bets 100,000. Gerbito folds.

Kim flips over J♥ J♦ while Manlapaz shows Q♦ 8♦ for trip queens on the flop and the lead. The turn is the A♦ and the river is the 4♦ as Kim becomes the first casualty of the Final Table.

Manlapaz is now the overall chip leader.

Player	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	2,230,000(45 BB)
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	1,600,000(32 BB)
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:32:21 AM

Final Table Chip Counts

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

Final Table

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	805,000(16 BB)	29	1
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	585,000(12 BB)	29	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,440,000(29 BB)	29	3
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	510,000(10 BB)	29	4
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	1,240,000(25 BB)	29	5
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	1,770,000(35 BB)	29	6
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	1,735,000(35 BB)	29	7
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,690,000(34 BB)	29	8
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	220,000(4 BB)	29	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:31:20 AM

Payuyo Busted by Kimura in 10th Place

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

Jay Payuyo

The Philippines’ Jay Payuyo has thus far staved off elimination on several occasions and now finds himself UTG and raising to 100,000. The action folds all the way to the BB where Masafumi Kimura of Japan opts to defend.

The flop comes A♥ 2♠ 6♥ as Kimura donks for 50,000 prompting the Filipino go over the top all-in for his remaining 370,000. Kimura makes the quick call.

Payuyo tables A♠ 5♠ for top pair while the Japanese player shows A♦ 2♦ for two pairs. Payuyo never recovers as the turn is the T♠ and the river is the 8♥ .

With Payuyo’s exit in tenth place, the Final Table is now set.

Player	Hand	Chips
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	UTG	busted
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	BB	1,340,000(27 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:30:38 AM

Ciruelos Doubles Up Off Intia

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelos

In a tussle between two Filipinos, Jester Intia raises from UTG to 100,000 and it goes all the ay to the SB of Mark Anthony Ciruelos of jams his remaining 205,000. Intia calls.

Ciruelos shows 4♥ 4♦ while Intia is flipping with J♣ T♣ .

The flop stays safe for Ciruelos: A♥ 8♦ 3♦ but then the 9♣ appears on the turn giving Intia an open-ended straight redraw to add more outs. The 3♠ on the river quelled any upheaval as Ciruelos doubles through and brings his opponent’s stack down to six figures.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	805,000(16 BB)	30	2
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	510,000(10 BB)	30	5

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:29:42 AM

Payuyo Sticks Around off Kimura

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

The action gets folded to the blinds anew as Masafumi Kimura once again does his bully move of shoving from the SB but this time gets called by short stack Jay Payuyo for his last 225,000.

Once again, Kimura shows a funky hand in Q♥ 4♠ going up against the Filipino’s 9♥ 9♠ .

The runout did not change the outcome: 2♥ T♣ J♣ 5♠ A♦ as Payuyo gets a stay of execution and Kimura’s stack drops below the one million mark.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	940,000(19 BB)	30	3
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	509,000(10 BB)	30	4

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 10/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:18:23 AM

Choi Outdrawn by Gomez, Busts in 11th

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

Raymundo Gomez

The two blinds go all-in preflop with SB Raymundo Gomez of the Philippines covering the 380,000 call of Korea’s Choi Younsik in the BB.

Gomez tables A♥ Q♥ while Choi holds T♣ T♦, coin-flipping for his tournament life.

The flop gives the lead to the Filipino: Q♠ 5♣ 8♣ followed by the Q♦ . Needing one of the two remaining tens in the deck to stay alive, the 5♥ on the river gives Gomez a full house that busts the Korean in 11th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	SB	940,000(24 BB)
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:17:29 AM

Manlapaz’s Scores with Ladies

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

Michael Manlapaz

Flight A chip leader Han Seung Hyun of Korea is down to his last 100,000 in chips and commits them to the pot from the +1 position. It folds to the Philippines’ Michael Manlapaz who 3-bets all-in for 680,000 and gets called in the BB by fellow Filipino Jay Payuyo.

Han flips over K♠ T♠ while Manlapaz shows Q♣ Q♠ . Payuyo has A♣ K♣ .

The runout goes 7♠ 6♣ 9♦ 9♣ 3♥ as the queens hold for Manlapaz, eliminating Han in 12th place and crippling Payuyo in one swift blow.

Player	Hand	Chips
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	UTG+1	busted
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	CO	1,550,000(39 BB)
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	BB	290,000(7 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:16:53 AM

Cerbito Busts Kang

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

Marciel Cerbito

Korea’s Kang Myeonghwa swings for the fences from the +1 position for 405,000 and the action gets folded around to the BB where Marciel Gerbito of the Philippines makes the call.

Kang shows A♣ 3♥ while Gerbito has 7♦ 7♠ .

The runout goes 4♦ T♦ 5♣ T♥ 9♦ as the gutshot never shows up for the Korean and he bites the dust at 13th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	UTG+1	busted
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	BB	1,700,000(43 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:16:14 AM

Kimura Ejects Duque

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

From UTG, Japan’s Masafumi Kimura raises it up to 80,000 and gets called in the +1 position. It folds to the D where short stacked Jonathan Duque of the Philippines goes for it all by shoving his remaining 260,000. Kimura calls and the initial caller folds.

Duque flips over A♣ 7♥ while the player from Japan has him dominated with A♦ T♠ .

The runout goes K♦ 9♣ 5♠ 6♥ J♠ as Duque exits in 14th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	UTG	1,380,000(35 BB)
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	D	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 10:15:08 AM

Manlapaz Breaches One Million Chip Mark

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

Two Filipinos tangle as Michael Manlapaz goes all-in for his last 490,000 from the +1 position and is called by Jay Payuyo on the D.

Manlapaz shows 9♥ 9♣ while Payuyo is in a flip with A♠ T♠ .

The runout goes Q♦ 3♣ 3♥ 3♠ 5♣ as Manlapaz now hits seven figures and drags Payuyo back to six figures.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	1,100,000(28 BB)	30	1
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	680,000(17 BB)	30	4

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:23:35 AM

Kim Uses Rockets to Rail Abesamis

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

Kim Hyoungchul

The action is folded to the HJ where Korea’s Kim Hyoungchul raises to 115,000 as it folds to the BB where Filipino Tony Abesamis elects to make the jump with his remaining 110,000.

Much to Abesamis’ chagrin, Kim unveils A♠ A♣ against his 8♣ 6♠ .

The runout held no landmines: 2♠ T♥ K♦ 6♥ J♣ as Abesamis finishes in 15th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea		560,000(14 BB)
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines		busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:22:27 AM

Payuyo Cripples Duque

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

Jay Payuyo

Jonathan Duque of the Philippines opens from the +1 position for 80,000 and folds all the way to the SB of fellow Filipino Jay Payuyo who re-raises all-n for 655,000. Duque makes the call.

Payuyo turns over K♣ K♦ while a disgruntled Duque tables Q♠ Q♥ .

The flop makes it very slim for Duque: 2♦ 2♠ K♣ and is drawing dead on the turn when the J♣ arrives. The river card is the 3♥ .

This shift in the balance of power now puts Payuyo within striking distance of the chip leaders as Duque is now officially (and suddenly) a short stack.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	1,390,000(35 BB)	30	4
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	310,000(8 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:20:19 AM

Intia Soars with Pocket Jesters

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

Jester Intia

Mark Anthony Ciruelos of the Philippines opens from the +1 position for 80,000 and gets called in the HJ by Korea’s Han Seung Hyun. Over at the SB, an other Filipino in Jester Intia 3-bet shoves for his remaining 400,000. Ciruelos opts to fold but Han makes the call.

Intia shows J♠ J♥ (which he calls “Pocket Jesters”) while Han tables A♥ K♣ .

The runout goes 8♥ 9♠ 9♥ 7♥ 9♦ as Intia’s full house brings him closer to the one million chip mark after being a short stack about an orbit ago. The Flight A chip leader is now an endangered species.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	960,000(24 BB)	30	2
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	440,000(11 BB)	30	5
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	200,000(5 BB)	30	6

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:13:52 AM

Table 30 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	295,000(7 BB)	30	1
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	380,000(10 BB)	30	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,090,000(27 BB)	30	3
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	820,000(21 BB)	30	4
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	480,000(12 BB)	30	5
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	675,000(17 BB)	30	6
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	915,000(23 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:11:44 AM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	400,000(10 BB)	29	1
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	175,000(4 BB)	29	2
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,720,000(43 BB)	29	3
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	1,120,000(28 BB)	29	4
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	640,000(16 BB)	29	5
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	250,000(6 BB)	29	6
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	430,000(11 BB)	29	7
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	600,000(15 BB)	29	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 15/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:07:02 AM

Kim Tussle: Kim Jongsu Outdraws Kim Hyoungchul

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

Jongsu Kim

Chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland opens from UTG for 65,000 and is greeted with a 3-bet shove from the +2 position by Korea’s Kim Jongsu to 295,000. It gets folded to the BB where another Korean in Kim Hyoungchul makes the call. Noonan gets out of the way.

Jongsu turns over A♦ K♦ while Hyoungchul shows Q♥ Q♠ .

The flop becomes an instant concern for Hyoungchul: 2♦ K♣ 4♦ and for good measure the 6♦ renders Jongsu drawing dead as Hyoungchul hits the nut flush. The 6♣ on the river ensures that Jongsu trudges on but Hyoungchul now has one of the shortest stacks left.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	170,000(6 BB)	29	2
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,800,000(60 BB)	29	3
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	700,000(23 BB)	29	5

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:05:22 AM

Henoud Double-Teamed

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

Claude Henoud

The blinds and antes have eaten up the stack of Canada’s Claude Henoud as he is all-in on the BB for his last 15,000. The Philippines’ Jay Payuyo limps in from the HJ and is accompanied by Korean Han Seung Hyun from the D.

The flop comes T♠ 7♠ Q♥ as both check. The turn is the 9♠ as again they check and the river is the A♠ and no further action ensues.

Henoud turns over J♦ 5♥ while Payuyo shows A♥ 9♦ for top pair on the river. Han tables K♣ 5♣ .

Payuyo busts Henoud at 16th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	HJ	655,000(22 BB)
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	D	620,000(21 BB)
CH Claude HenoudCanada	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:04:26 AM

Payuyo Doubles Up Off Kimura

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

Jay Payuyo

The action is folded to the blinds as big stack Masafumi Kimura pulls a bully move by shoving from the SB against the Philippines’ Jay Payuyo in the BB who is down to his last 265,000. It just so happens that Payuyo makes the call as he has A♣ J♦ . Kimura tables 8♣ 6♥ .

The runout goes K♠ 9♣ 5♣ 9♠ 3♥ as Payuyo crawls back to past the half million mark. Kimura hardly felt the hit.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,150,000(38 BB)	30	3
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	560,000(19 BB)	30	4

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:03:24 AM

Manlapaz Hits Duque

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

Michael Manlapaz

Big stack Jonathan Duque of the Philippines opens from the HJ for 60,000 but gets re-raised all-in by fellow Filipino Michael Manlapaz for his remaining 140,000 from the D. Duque calls.

Manlapaz tables K♣ Q♥ while Duque has the preflop edge with A♠ 7♣ .

The flop immediately gives the advantage to Manlapaz: K♥ T♥ 9♣ . The turn card is the 6♠ to bring in more outs for Duque as he gets a redraw to a gutshot that never appears as the 5♣ completes the board.

Duque’s stack falls below the million mark for the first time in a couple of orbits and Manlapaz is back in contention.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	355,000(12 BB)	30	1
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	850,000(28 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:03:24 AM

Manlapaz Hits Duque

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

Big stack Jonathan Duque of the Philippines opens from the HJ for 60,000 but gets re-raised all-in by fellow Filipino Michael Manlapaz for his remaining 140,000 from the D. Duque calls.

Manlapaz tables K♣ Q♥ while Duque has the preflop edge with A♠ 7♣ .

Duque’s stack falls below the million mark for the first time in a couple of orbits and Manlapaz is back in contention.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	355,000(12 BB)	30	1
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	850,000(28 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 9:01:19 AM

Henoud Crippled by Ciruelos’ Set of Cowboys

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelos

The Philippines’ Mark Anthony Ciruelos is at risk as his remaining 220,000 is in the pot against Claude Henoud of Canada.

Ciruelos shows K♣ K♥ while Henoud has A♥ 6♥ .

The flop already gives the Filipino a near insurmountable lead: K♠ 7♣ T♥ with top set. Henoud needs running cards to reverse the tide but the 4♠ on the turn assures more poker for Circuelos. The river is the 6♠ to officially put the Canadian in dire straits.

Player	Hand	Chips
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	HJ	500,000(17 BB)
CH Claude HenoudCanada	SB	15,000(1 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 16/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:20:34 AM

Choi Bites Back Against Gomez

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

Choi Younsik

In a rare unraised battle of the blinds, the Philippines’ Raymundo Gomez in the SB and Choi Younsik of Korea see a flop of K♠ 8♥ 2♥ .

Gomez leads out for 30,000 and gets called. The turn is the J♣ and once again the Filipino stays aggressive by firing 65,000. This time, Choi raises all-in for his last 255,000. Gomez opts to release his hand.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	455,000(18 BB)	29	1
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	500,000(20 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:15:49 AM

Intia Wields Aces

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

Jester Intia

After getting short-stacked going up against fellow Filipino Michael Manlapaz earlier, Jester shoves his remaining 155,000 against Canada’s Claude Henoud.

It’s Intia now who has A♠ A♦ while Henoud holds Q♦ Q♥ .

The runout goes 4♠ 2♠ K♦ 4♦ T♥ as Intia climbs out of the danger zone for the moment with his fortuitous double up at the most opportune instance. The Canadian now sees his stack slip to below the triple century mark.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	405,000(16 BB)	30	2
CH Claude HenoudCanada	290,000(12 BB)	30	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:14:30 AM

Table 30 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	345,000(14 BB)	30	1
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	210,000(8 BB)	30	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	1,430,000(57 BB)	30	3
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	280,000(11 BB)	30	4
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	340,000(14 BB)	30	5
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	565,000(23 BB)	30	6
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	915,000(37 BB)	30	7
CH Claude HenoudCanada	510,000(20 BB)	30	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:12:34 AM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	340,000(14 BB)	29	1
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	500,000(20 BB)	29	2
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,865,000(75 BB)	29	3
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	690,000(28 BB)	29	4
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	505,000(20 BB)	29	5
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	400,000(16 BB)	29	6
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	550,000(22 BB)	29	7
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	695,000(28 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:11:25 AM

Chono Becomes Kim’s Next Scalp

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

With his stack shrinking, Japan’s Fumiaki Chono puts in his last 65,000 as the action gets folded to him on the D. Kim Jongsu of Korea calls from the BB.

Chono shows K♦ J♠ while Kim has 9♣ 9♥ .

The runout goes devoid of booby traps for the Korean: T♦ 6♠ 7♣ Q♣ (a sweat card as a straight redraw appears) 6♦ .

The Japanese player is out in 17th .

Player	Hand	Chips
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	D	busted
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	BB	505,000(20 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:10:29 AM

Cohen Eliminated by Kim

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

Yossef Cohen

Israel’s Yossef Cohen shoves his dwindling stack of 175,000 from the +1 position and it folds to the HJ where Kim Songju of Korea isolates by re-raising all-in. No one calls.

Cohen tables A♣ 2♠ while Kim has T♦ T♥ .

The runout goes 6♦ 5♣ 7♠ 7♥ 2♠ as the tens hold for the Korean and Cohen busts out in 18th.

Player	Hand	Chips
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	UTG+1	busted
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	HJ	430,000(17 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:09:40 AM

Duque Wins Flush Battle

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

Jonathan Duque

Masafumi Kimura of Japan raises from UTG for 50,000 and gets called by big stack Jonathan Duque of the Philippines from the CO.

The flop is K♦ 8♦ 2♦ as Kimura CBets for 35,000. Duque calls. The turn is the 9♣ and this time, both check. The river is the J♦ (completing a one-card flush). Kimura checks again and now Duque bets 100,000. Kimura calls.

Duque shows Q♦ T♠ while Kimura shows the T♦ before mucking his hand.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	775,000(31 BB)	30	3
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	1,560,000(62 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:08:03 AM

Henoud Shoves on Manlapaz

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

Claude Henoud

Michael Manlapaz of the Philippines opens from UTG for 50,000 and it gets folded to the BB of Canada’s Claude Henoud who chooses to defend.

The flop comes 8♦ 7♦ Q♣ as Henoud checks. Manlapaz fires 100,000 and Henoud check-raises all-in for 225,000. Manlapaz folds but not before showing the A♣ .

Player	Hand	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	UTG	325,000(13 BB)
CH Claude HenoudCanada	BB	460,000(18 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 18/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:06:45 AM

Intia’s Kings Meet Manlapaz’s Aces

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

Jester Intia

Three Filipinos are involved in this hand which sees Jonathan Duque open from the HJ for 40,000 and Michael Manlapaz calls from the CO. Jester Intia 3-bets from the D to 130,000 as Duque senses it’s his cue to exit and does. Manlapaz 4-bet shoves his remaining 200,000 and Intia makes the call.

Manlapaz flips over A♥ A♦ while Intia unleashes a few expletives before showing K♦ K♥ . Even the suits are covered.

The runout goes J♥ 8♦ 3♣ 3♠ 9♠ as Manlapaz nears the half century mark and Intia is down to about ten BBs.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	490,000(25 BB)	30	1
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	210,000(11 BB)	30	2
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	1,280,000(64 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:05:28 AM

Hussein Trounced

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

Once again, it is all-in preflop with Korea’s Kang Myeonghwa tabling K♠ Q♠ while Hatim Hussein of Australia holds the edge with A♣ 3♥ . Hussein’s remaining 180,000 is now in the middle and he is at risk.

The first four community cards go T♠ 6♦ 3♠ 2♦ but the K♠ arrives on the river, sending the Australian to the rail.

20 players remain.

Player	Hand	Chips
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	UTG+1	535,000(27 BB)
HA Hatim Abdul HusseinAustralia	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:04:28 AM

Ciruelos Draws Even with Payuyo

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelos

Two Filipinos are all-in preflop with Mark Anthony Ciruelos showing A♥ 2♦ while Jay Payuyo holds 7♦ 7♠ . Ciruelos is at risk.

The flop goes 4♦ A♣ 4♣ to give Ciruelos the lead that he would not relinquish as the 4♥ and the 2♠ complete the runout. Ciruelos emerges victorious with a higher full house to double up and practically pull abreast of his victim.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	470,000(24 BB)	27	6
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	480,000(24 BB)	27	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:03:30 AM

Chono KOs Enriquez, Eclipses Half Million Chip Mark

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

Fumiaki Chono of Japan open shoves from the HJ and gets called by Australia’s Hatim Hussein from the D. Short stack Raymond Enriquez of the Philippines also decides to take the leap for his last 25,000.

Chono tables A♦ K♥ while Hussein shows 8♣ 8♠ . Enriquez has Q♦ 5♠ .

The runout goes 4♣ 7♣ 2♦ 7♦ and the river brings in the A♣ which enables Chono to double up off of Hussein and eliminate Enriquez to come closer to another pay jump.

Hussein’s loss is catastrophic as now has about ten BBs left.

Player	Hand	Chips
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	HJ	505,000(25 BB)
HA Hatim Abdul HusseinAustralia	D	200,000(10 BB)
RE Raymond EnriquezPhilippines	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:02:54 AM

Tani Rivered, Busted by Kimura

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

Hideaki Tani

From the HJ, Hideaki Tani goes for it all as he shoves his last 235,000 and gets a caller in fellow Japanese player Masafumi Kimura in the SB.

Tani flips over A♠ Q♠ and is thrilled to see he dominates Kimura’s A♥ T♠ .

The flop comes A♦ A♠ 3♠ as both hit trips but Tani’s kicker is still in play. The turn is the 4♣ but the river is the T♣ which gives Kimura a full house and knocks Tani out of the competition.

Kimura is now the closest pursuer to Patrick Noonan’s massive stack.

Player	Chips
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	960,000(48 BB)
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 8:01:11 AM

Ciruelos Flops Effective Nuts, Busts Shingo

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

Mark Anthony Ciruelo

In another battle of the blinds, Anthony Ciruelos of the Philippines shoves against the BB of Japan’s Sakamoto Shingo who decides it’s time to shine with his remaining 62,000 and makes the call.

Ciruelos shows A♠ 3♥ while Shingo has live cards with T♠ 7♦ .

The flop effectively shutdown the ambitions of the Japanese player: 5♠ 4♣ 2♣ as Ciruelos flops a wheel straight. Needing running cards to overturn the situation, Shingo goes drawing dead on the turn as the K♦ appears. The 6♥ on the river made it official.

Player	Hand	Chips
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	SB	234,000(12 BB)
SS Shingo SakamotoJapan	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 7:59:32 AM

Table 30 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	270,000(14 BB)	30	1
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	400,000(20 BB)	30	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	645,000(32 BB)	30	3
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	205,000(10 BB)	30	4
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	425,000(21 BB)	30	5
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	420,000(21 BB)	30	6
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	995,000(50 BB)	30	7
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	235,000(12 BB)	30	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 7:58:25 AM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	150,000(8 BB)	29	1
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	250,000(13 BB)	29	2
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	275,000(14 BB)	29	3
HA Hatim Abdul HusseinAustralia	465,000(23 BB)	29	4
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	115,000(6 BB)	29	5
RE Raymond EnriquezPhilippines	45,000(2 BB)	29	6
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	205,000(10 BB)	29	7
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	580,000(29 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 7:56:31 AM

Table 27 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	110,000(6 BB)	27	1
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	1,820,000(91 BB)	27	2
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	330,000(17 BB)	27	3
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	305,000(15 BB)	27	4
CH Claude HenoudCanada	105,000(5 BB)	27	5
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	234,000(12 BB)	27	6
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	635,000(32 BB)	27	7
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	615,000(31 BB)	27	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 26/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 7:06:06 AM

Dimayuga Bids Adieu

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

Frederick Dimayuga

In blind v blind action, Korea’s Choi Younsik attempts to steal the BB and ante posted by Frederick Dimayuga of the Philippines by shoving from his SB. Dimayuga decides to take a gamble and sticks in his remaining 88,000.

Choi shows A♠ J♥ while Dimayuga is delighted that he is live with 7♥ 5♥ .

The flop is J♠ 3♥ 7♦ as both hit with the Filipino still with a sliver of hope. However, the A♥ and the 9♣ complete the runout as Dimayuga leaves his seat for good.

Player	Hand	Chips
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	SB	245,000(15 BB)
FD Frederick DimayugaPhilippines	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 7:05:03 AM

Javalera Busts in Coin-Flip Loss to Kimura

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

Ireneo Javalera

The action begins from the +1 position with a raise to 32,000 and a call from the HJ. The Philippines’ Irineo Javalera 3-bets it to 70,000 then Masafumi Kimura of Japan 4-bet shoves and forces the initial participants to fold, except for the Filipino who puts in his remaining 78,000.

Kimura flips over A♥ K♥ while Javalera is slightly ahead with 6♠ 6♣ .

The first three community card stayed safe for Javalera: 4♠ 3♣ T♣ but the turn card produces the K♠ . The 4♠ arrives on the river to rail Javalera in 30th place and bring Kimura’s stack within range of the chip leaders.

Player	Hand	Chips
IJ Ireneo JavaleraPhilippines	CO	busted
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	D	625,000(39 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:43:29 AM

Noonan Slays Marcos, Nears Two Million Mark

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

Patrick Noonan

Chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland opens the action from the D for 35,000 and gets re-raised by the Philippines’ Czar Ian Marcos from BB for 91,000. Noonan makes the call.

The flop comes Q♥ 3♥ 6♦ as Marcos continues for 51,000 and gets raised by the Irishman to 200,000. Marcos calls. The turn is the J♠ as this time, the Filipino checks. Noonan goes all-in and gets snap called by Marcos for his last 313,000.

Noonan reveals 6♣ 6♥ for middle set on the flop as a disgusted Marcos tables A♦ A♠ .

The river card brings in the 2♣ as the cooler sends Marcos to the sidelines for good and increases the separation between Noonan and the rest of the field.

Player	Hand	Chips
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	D	1,700,000(106 BB)
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:42:09 AM

Nocon Becomes Abesamis’ Bad Beat Victim

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

Jason Nocon

Jason Nocon of the Philippines open shoves from the D for his remaining 77,000 and is called by fellow Filipino Tony Abesamis in the SB.

Nocon flips over K♣ K♠ , crushing Abesamis’ Q♣ Q♦ .

However, all that changed on the flop: Q♥ 6♦ 4♦ as Abesamis’ top set officially put Nocon’s tournament life on the line. The last two community cards are the A♦ and the 8♦ to end Nocon’s campaign.

The win via a bad beat puts Abesamis in the middle of the pack among the remaining 31 players.

Player	Hand	Chips
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	D	busted
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	SB	301,000(19 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:35:28 AM

Noonan with Seven-Figure Stack

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

Patrick Noonan

India’s Acharya Anant open shoves from UTG for 278,000 as chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland isolates be re-raising all-in. Everyone steers clear.

Anant turns over Q♥ T♠ while Noonan unfurls K♠ K♥ .

The flop gives some semblance of a chance for Anant: A♦ 6♦ T♣ but the last two community cards fail to improve the Indian’s predicament as the 4♥ and the 7♦ officially end his run.

Noonan becomes the first to surpass the one million chip mark.

Player	Hand	Chips
AA Acharya AnantIndia	UTG	busted
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	UTG+1	1,100,000(69 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:30:13 AM

Kang’s Kicker Plays in Yao’s Ouster

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

Myeonghwa Kang

The Philippines’ Alex Yao opens from UTG for 40,000 and right beside him in the +1 position, Kang Myeonghwa of Korea 3-bet shoves his last 280,000. Yao calls for his remaining 150,000.

Kang shows A♦ Q♦ while Yao tables A♥ J♥ .

The runout goes A♠ 7♣ 4♥ T♠ 4♦ as the Korean’s kicker cans Yao.

Kang now approaches the half million chip mark.

Player	Hand	Chips
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	UTG	busted
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	UTG+1	470,000(29 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:28:42 AM

Table 30 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
IJ Ireneo JavaleraPhilippines	258,000(16 BB)	30	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	575,000(36 BB)	30	3
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	163,000(10 BB)	30	4
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	240,000(15 BB)	30	5
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	497,000(31 BB)	30	6
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	838,000(52 BB)	30	7
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	290,000(18 BB)	30	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:27:49 AM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	118,000(7 BB)	29	1
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	272,000(17 BB)	29	2
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	197,000(12 BB)	29	3
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	90,000(6 BB)	29	5
HS Hui SunChina	127,000(8 BB)	29	6
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	543,000(34 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:26:14 AM

Table 28 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	149,000(9 BB)	28	1
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	280,000(18 BB)	28	2
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	125,000(8 BB)	28	3
RE Raymond EnriquezPhilippines	118,000(7 BB)	28	4
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	551,000(34 BB)	28	5
HA Hatim Abdul HusseinAustralia	428,000(27 BB)	28	6
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	232,000(15 BB)	28	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:24:48 AM

Table 27 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
FD Frederick DimayugaPhilippines	147,000(9 BB)	23	2
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	118,000(7 BB)	27	2
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	132,000(8 BB)	27	3
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	153,000(10 BB)	27	4
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	247,000(15 BB)	27	6
SS Shingo SakamotoJapan	70,000(4 BB)	27	7
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	680,000(43 BB)	27	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:23:18 AM

Table 26 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	142,000(9 BB)	26	1
CH Claude HenoudCanada	148,000(9 BB)	26	2
AA Acharya AnantIndia	325,000(20 BB)	26	3
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	795,000(50 BB)	26	4
HJ Hwang JunhyunSouth Korea	115,000(7 BB)	26	5
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	610,000(38 BB)	26	6
TR Trevor Reid TouchtonUnited States of America	170,000(11 BB)	29	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 34/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:21:50 AM

Gomez Outmuscles Kim

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

Raymundo Gomez

Korea’s Kim Hyoungchul raises it to 27,000 from the +1 position and it gets folded to the BB of Filipino Raymundo Gomez who opts to defend.

The flop is K♠ J♣ 5♥ as both players check. The turn is the K♣ as Gomez takes the betting lead for 38,000. Kim calls. The river is the 3♥ and this time, Gomez fires 60,000. Kim folds.

Player	Hand	Chips
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	UTG+1	194,000(16 BB)
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	BB	511,000(43 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:20:39 AM

Hit D’Heat Hits the Road

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

Edwin de la Cruz of the Philippines (known in the local poker scene as “Hit D’Heat”) has it folded to him on the D and open shoves his last 177,000 only to be called in the BB by Masafumi Kimura of Japan.

De la Cruz tables A♥ J♦ while Kimura is in a coin-flip with T♠ T♥ .

The flop comes 4♥ K♣ 3♠ but the turn brings in the T♦ to reduce the Filipino to just four outs (from initially six). The K♥ on the river sends de la Cruz packing.

Kimura is now among the big stacks.

Player	Hand	Chips
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	D	busted
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	BB	576,000(48 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:19:52 AM

Kicker Plays in Abesamis’ Double Up

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

Antonio Abesamis

The action gets folded around to the CO where the Philippines’ Jay Payuyo raises it 25,000. In the SB, fellow Filipino Tony Abesamis moves all-in for his last 71,000. Payuyo calls.

Abesamis shows A♥ T♥ , dominating Payuyo’s K♥ T♠ .

The runout changed nothing: T♣ 4♣ 7♠ 8♣ 6♠ as Abesamis doubles up and slightly dents his opponent’s stack.

Player	Chips
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	393,000(33 BB)
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	166,000(14 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:11:09 AM

Touchton Stays Alive, Kills Hwang’s Cowboys

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

Trevor Reid Touchton

Chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland opens from the +2 position for 30,000 and when it gets to the HJ of Hwang Junhyun, the Korean declares he is all-in. American Trevor Touchton also shoves his remaining 75,000 from the SB. Noonan elects to step aside.

Hwang reveals that he has K♥ K♠ while Touchton is not out of it with A♠ K♦ .

The runout starts: 8♣ 5♦ 9♦ 5♥ but then the A♥ arrives on the river as Touchton gets a virtual triple up and sends Hwang’s stack down to the danger zone.

Player	Chips
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	612,000(51 BB)
TR Trevor Reid TouchtonUnited States of America	204,000(17 BB)
HJ Hwang JunhyunSouth Korea	86,000(7 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 6:00:30 AM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	149,000(12 BB)	29	1
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	100,000(8 BB)	29	2
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	95,000(8 BB)	29	3
HL Henrik LindahlDenmark	192,000(16 BB)	29	4
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	133,000(11 BB)	29	5
HS Hui SunChina	91,000(8 BB)	29	6
CY Chun Yuan ChenTaiwan	130,000(11 BB)	29	7
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	482,000(40 BB)	29	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 40/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:59:11 AM

SunDoubles Up Off Lindahl

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

Hui Sun

Hong Kong’s Sun Hui open shoves from the +1 position and gets called by Henrik Lindahl of Denmark in BB.

Sun’s last 66,000 is now at the mercy of his T♣ T♥ while ironically Lindahl tables pocket sixes.

The runout goes: 5♦ A♥ 2♥ A♠ Q♣ as the sun still shines on Sun’s chances in the tournament.

Player	Hand	Chips
HS Hui SunChina	UTG+1	147,000(15 BB)
HL Henrik LindahlDenmark	BB	145,000(15 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:39:02 AM

Zaitsu’s Rockets Pulverizes Cheng

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

Norihisa Zaitsu

Norihisa Zaitsu of Japan opens from UTG for 20,000 and gets re-raised to 60,000 by Filipino Michael Cheng. Zaitsu then 4-bet shoves for 252,000 and Cheng still makes the call.

Zaitsu turns over the mother of all preflop hold’em hands: A♠ A♣ while Cheng needs serious help with K♥ J♦ .

The runout goes: Q♦ 5♥ 6♠ J♠ (some hope) 7♦ as Cheng’s stack dwindles significantly. Zaitsu is now among the big stacks.

Player	Hand	Chips
NZ Norihisa ZaitsuJapan	UTG	529,000(53 BB)
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	D	56,000(6 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:37:07 AM

Yao Outdraws Kang

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

Alex Yao

In a battle of the blinds, the Philippines’ Alex Yao completes his SB but gets raised by Kang Myeonghwa to 50,000. Yao re-raises all-in for his remaining 94,000 and Kang makes the call.

Yao turns over J♦ T♦ while the Korean shows K♦ Q♦ . The Filipino is at risk but with live cards.

The runout goes: 7♥ 3♣ 5♦ T♠ 9♦ as Yao hits a pair on the turn and it is enough to keep him in contention.

Player	Hand	Chips
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	SB	198,000(20 BB)
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	BB	108,000(11 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:36:05 AM

Jacks Hold for Kim

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

Korea’s Kim Hyoungchul opens it up from the +1 position for 50,000 and gets re-raised b y Yossef Cohen of Israel from the HJ to out the Korean all-in. Kim calls.

Cohen shows A♥ T♥ while Kim tables J♠ J♣ .

It was enough for Kim as the runout produced no surprises: K♥ 5♠ 9♠ 7♣ 2♥ .

Kim stays afloat while Cohen gets dented.

Player	Hand	Chips
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	UTG+1	161,000(16 BB)
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	HJ	121,000(12 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:34:56 AM

Dimayuga Cracks Choi’s Aces

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

The action gets folded to Choi Younsik of Korea on the D who raises it to 22,000. Right beside him in the SB, the Philippines’ Frederick Dimayuga 3-bet shoves his remaining 98,000. Choi snap calls.

Dimayuga tables J♣ T♣ while Choi brandishes A♥ A♦ .

The flop is 6♦ T♠ 9♥ to give Dimayuga some hope. The turn is the Q♥ as the Filipino picks up more outs with an open-ended straight redraw. The river is the T♥ as Dimayuga’s suck out sends Choi’s stack plummeting.

Choi still has enough artillery for a final push.

Player	Hand	Chips
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	D	82,000(8 BB)
FD Frederick DimayugaPhilippines	SB	216,000(22 BB)

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 41/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:32:48 AM

Noonan Deals Double KO, Solidifies Chip Lead

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

Patrick Noonan

Germany’s Markus Wolter open shoves from the HJ for 62,000 and Filipino Joseroy Jeremias 3-bet shoves from the CO for 133,000. They get called by chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland in the SB.

Wolter turns over 7♠ 6♠ which is a live hand against Jeremias’ A♥ K♠ and Noonan’s A♣ K♣ .

The flop, however, became an immediate cause for concern by the two players at risk: 3♣ 5♦ T♣ as the Irishman picks up the nut flush draw. The turn is the J♠ but the river brings the J♣ as Noonan completes his flush and flushes out two competitors in the process.

Noonan is now the closest to the one million chip mark and fortifies his stranglehold of his throne atop the leaderboard.

Player	Hand	Chips
MW Markus WolterGermany	HJ	busted
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	CO	busted
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	SB	971,000(121 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:08:40 AM

Duque Breaches Half Million Mark

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

Jonathan Duque

The hand begins with a raise from UTG to 17,000 and three callers come on board.

The flop goes J♠ 8♣ 9♦ as it gets checked to the +2 position where Michael Cheng of the Philippines bets 25,000. In the CO, fellow Filipino Jonathan Duque raises it 85,000. No one calls.

After bleeding chips during bubble time in Flight B, Duque has slowly amassed at the onset of Day 2 and is in the chip lead conversation.

Player	Chips
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	545,000(68 BB)
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	243,000(30 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:07:47 AM

Gamble Doesn’t Pay Off for Aso

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

Frd Aso Seitaro

Keitaro Aso of Japan raises from the +1 position for 16,000 and it gets all the way to the BB of Israel’s Yossef Cohen who re-raises all-in. Aso is all-in to call.

Aso tanks and declares: “Okay, let’s gamble!”

Cohen turns over A♣ K♠ while the Japanese player shows J♣ J♠ .

On the flop, Aso falls behind: K♥ 6♦ Q♠ and the last two community cards don’t produce any of his two outs as it goes 4♠ Q♥ .

Aso is railed for good.

Gamble doesn’t pay off for Aso

Keitaro Aso of Japan raises from the +1 position for 16,000 and it gets all the way to the BB of Israel’s Yossef Cohen who re-raises all-in. Aso is all-in to call.

Aso tanks and declares: “Okay, let’s gamble!”

Cohen turns over A♣ K♠ while the Japanese player shows J♣ J♠ .

On the flop, Aso falls behind: K♥ 6♦ Q♠ and the last two community cards don’t produce any of his two outs as it goes 4♠ Q♥ .

Aso is railed for good.

Player	Hand	Chips
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	UTG+1	busted
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	BB	232,000(29 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:06:05 AM

Table 25 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	326,000(41 BB)	25	1
AA Acharya AnantIndia	289,000(36 BB)	25	2
MP Maxwell Philippe RosetePhilippines	147,000(18 BB)	25	3
ST Satoshi TakahashiJapan	96,000(12 BB)	25	4
NZ Norihisa ZaitsuJapan	68,000(9 BB)	25	5
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	46,000(6 BB)	25	6
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	121,000(15 BB)	25	7
KP Kai Ping ChooMalaysia	16,000(2 BB)	25	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:02:53 AM

Table 26 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	136,000(17 BB)	26	1
CH Claude HenoudCanada	201,000(25 BB)	26	2
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	33,000(4 BB)	26	3
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	741,000(93 BB)	26	4
HJ Hwang JunhyunSouth Korea	172,000(22 BB)	26	5
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	504,000(63 BB)	26	6
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	273,000(34 BB)	26	7
MW Markus WolterGermany	80,000(10 BB)	26	8

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 48/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:01:47 AM

Payuyo Sinks Garcia

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

Jay Payuyo

Raising from the +2 position to 12,000 is the Philippines’ Jay Payuyo and it folds the BB of fellow Filipino Jonald Garcia who 3-bet shoves his last 83,000. Payuyo makes the call.

Garcia turns over A♥ J♣ while Payuyo has live cards with K♣ 8♣ .

The flop immediately put Garcia against the proverbial ropes: K♠ 5♠ 7♠ and the last two community cards are of no help as the J♦ and the 8♥ complete the runout.

Player	Chips
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	367,000(61 BB)
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 5:00:08 AM

Barte Finished Off by Marcos

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

Czar Ian Marcos

Big stack Czar Ian Marcos of the Philippines opens for 12,000 from the +1 position and it folds to the SB who calls. Fellow Filipino Segundo Marte goes over the top all-in from the BB for his last 130,000. Marcos calls, the SB folds.

Barte shows A♥ K♥ while Marcos has J♣ J♠ .

There were miracles in store for Barte in the subsequent runout: 7♣ 2♦ 2♥ 3♦ 9♣ as Marcos ousts his compatriot and nears the half million chip mark.

Player	Hand	Chips
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	UTG+1	499,000(83 BB)
SB Segundo BartePhilippines	BB	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 4:38:08 AM

Tani Hits on River, Wounds Barte

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

Hideaki Tani

In a hand already ongoing, the board reads 6♣ K♦ 6♠ 3♥ A♦ with a pot of 70,000. Segundo Barte of the Philippines bets 30,000 and is raised to 77,000 by Japan’s Hideaki Tani. Barte calls.

Tani shows A♠ Q♦ for top pair on the river. Barte mucks.

Player	Chips
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	254,000(42 BB)
SB Segundo BartePhilippines	130,000(22 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 4:32:25 AM

Wada Crippled Holding Aces

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

Tomohiro Wada

The Philippines’ Michael Cheng opens from the HJ for 12,000 then gets re-raised by big stack Han Seung Hyun of Korea to 50,000 from the CO. In the SB, fellow big stack Tomohiro Wada of Japan 4-bets it to 105,000 as Cheng elected to not continue and fold. Han makes the call.

The flop is K♥ Q♦ 3♦ as Wada fires anew, this time for 50,000. Han calls. The turn is the 2♠ as now the Japanese player checks. Han goes all-in and Wada snap calls.

The Korean tables Q♣ Q♥ for middle set on the flop while Wada turns over A♥ A♦ .

The river card is the 5♦.

Luckily for Wada, Han took hits in previous hands and he is no longer covered. Unfortunately for Wada, he now has an extremely short stack.

Player	Chips
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	758,000(126 BB)
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	333,000(56 BB)
TW Tomohiro WadaJapan	66,000(11 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 4:27:23 AM

Cheng Evicts Sung with Cowboys

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

Michael Cheng

The action gets folded to the blinds where Korea’s Sung Younghwan makes a bold attempt to steal the BB of Filipino Michael Cheng by shoving his stack of 84,000 from the SB. Cheng instantly calls.

Sung flips over 8♣ 7♦ while Cheng unveils K♥ K♦ .

The runout goes: A♠ 4♠ 7♥ J♦ 4♣ as Sung becomes one of the first casualties of Day 2.

Player	Chips
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	366,000(61 BB)
YS Younghwan SungSouth Korea	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 4:21:35 AM

Jayalera Cripples Athiniotis

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

Ireneo Javalera

After a solid run to stay alive in Flight B, Greece’s Ioannis Athiniotis opens from the +1 position for 12,000 and it gets folded to the D where Irineo Jayalera of the Philippines 3-bet shoves his remaining 66,000. It gets back to Athiniotis who tanks a bit but eventually calls.

Jayalera turns over A♦ K♥ while the Greek player realizes his misstep when he shows A♠ 8♠ .

The runout did nothing to flip the script: J♦ 2♥ 3♠ 6♦ J♥ as the Filipino doubles up and Athiniotis’ stack is now on the respirator.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
IJ Ireneo JavaleraPhilippines	147,000(25 BB)	30	2
IA Ioannis AthiniotisGreece	30,000(5 BB)	30	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 4:20:47 AM

Duque Extracts From Chip Leader

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

Jonathan Duque

In early action, the Philippines’ Jonathan Duque opens from the HJ for 12,000 and gets called by chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland on the D.

The flop comes 6♠ 9♦ Q♥ as Duque continues again for 12,000. Noonan calls. The turn is the 5♣ and this time both check. The river is the 8♣ and this time, the Filipino fires 30,000. Noonan still makes the call.

Duque turns over J♥ 9♣ for middle pair on the flop. The Irishman tables T♣ 6♣ as he shows that he is willing to call down with bottom pair.

Noonan’s huge stack takes an early hit.

Player	Chips
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	568,000(95 BB)
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	337,000(56 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/8/2025, 4:19:09 AM

Warm-Up Day 2 Commences

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

From 402 entries, only 61 remain to contest the title. All are guaranteed at least PhP8,000 (~US$145),

We play to a champion today who will be receiving PhP300,000 (~US$5,375).

Cards are in the air!

Warm-Up Day 2 commences

From 402 entries, only 61 remain to contest the title. All are guaranteed at least PhP8,000 (~US$145),

We play to a champion today who will be receiving PhP300,000 (~US$5,375).

Cards are in the air!

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

30 minutes

Remaining Players: 59/402

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:37:23 PM

61 Return for Warm-Up Finale, Prize Pool at Staggering PhP1,715,736 (~US$30,755)

Of the 402 entries that descended upon the two qualifying flights, the (Event #3) Warm-Up culminates into the finale battle on the felt as the 61 players who made it through now clash for the biggest chunk of the PhP1,715,736 (~US$30,755) new guaranteed prize pool today (June 8) in the Manila Super Series 22 at Pokerstars Live here at Okada Manila.

Cards go in the air at 12:00NN (UCT+8).

Everyone is now assured of getting paid as the min-cash is set at PhP8,000 (~US$145) in this PhP5,000 (~US$90) buy-in event. But, of course, the remaining combatants will be aiming for the PhP300,000 (~US$5,375) top prize. A♠ an added incentive, the top nine players will also be receiving APPT Super Qualifier packages worth PhP9,000 (~US$160).

The original PhP780,000 (~US$13,980) GTD prize pool was smashed at the beginning of Flight B.

Ireland’s Patrick Noonan of Flight B sits atop the leaderboard heading into Day 2 with 621,000 followed by Flight A’s chip leader Han Seung Hyun of Korea with 461,000. Third overall is Tomohiro Wada of Japan from Flight A with 418,000.

SMPSMP

6/7/2025, 8:18:19 PM

Day2 Seat Draw And Chip Count

Seat Draw

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	131,000	22	1
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	67,000	22	2
JC Jose CheungPhilippines	42,000	22	3
RR Rodolf RamoPhilippines	21,000	22	4
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	461,000	22	5
CH Claude HenoudCanada	253,000	22	6
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	256,000	22	7
DG David GonzalesUnited States of America	64,000	22	8
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	161,000	23	1
FD Frederick DimayugaPhilippines	144,000	23	2
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	337,000	23	3
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	232,000	23	4
WR William RogersNew Zealand	203,000	23	5
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	268,000	23	6
MA Marco AlmerezPhilippines	36,000	23	7
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	621,000	23	8
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	34,000	25	1
AA Acharya AnantIndia	211,000	25	2
MP Maxwell Philippe RosetePhilippines	133,000	25	3
ST Satoshi TakahashiJapan	82,000	25	4
NZ Norihisa ZaitsuJapan	118,000	25	5
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	96,000	25	6
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	167,000	25	7
AG Alwin Goh Jia RongSingapore	28,000	25	8
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	157,000	26	1
SB Segundo BartePhilippines	183,000	26	3
SG Stefan GreinerAustralia	18,000	26	4
HJ Hwang JunhyunSouth Korea	155,000	26	5
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	322,000	26	6
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	198,000	26	7
MW Markus WolterGermany	72,000	26	8
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	174,000	27	2
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	151,000	27	3
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	196,000	27	4
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	189,000	27	5
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	307,000	27	6
SS Shingo SakamotoJapan	186,000	27	7
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	80,000	27	8
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	126,000	28	1
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	168,000	28	2
KP Kai Ping ChooMalaysia	28,000	28	3
RE Raymond EnriquezPhilippines	184,000	28	4
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	97,000	28	5
HA Hatim Abdul HusseinAustralia	190,000	28	6
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	220,000	28	8
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	198,000	29	1
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	60,000	29	3
HL Henrik LindahlDenmark	190,000	29	4
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	77,000	29	5
HS Hui SunChina	147,000	29	6
CY Chun Yuan ChenTaiwan	241,000	29	7
TR Trevor Reid TouchtonUnited States of America	84,000	29	8
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	151,000	30	1
IJ Ireneo JavaleraPhilippines	90,000	30	2
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	294,000	30	3
YS Younghwan SungSouth Korea	96,000	30	4
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	270,000	30	5
IA Ioannis AthiniotisGreece	95,000	30	7
TW Tomohiro WadaJapan	418,000	30	8

Chip Count

Player	Chips
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	621,000
SH Seung Hyun HanSouth Korea	461,000
TW Tomohiro WadaJapan	418,000
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	337,000
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	322,000
MA Mark Anthony CiruelosPhilippines	307,000
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	294,000
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	270,000
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	268,000
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	256,000
CH Claude HenoudCanada	253,000
CY Chun Yuan ChenTaiwan	241,000
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	232,000
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	220,000
AA Acharya AnantIndia	211,000
WR William RogersNew Zealand	203,000
FC Fumiaki ChonoJapan	198,000
HT Hideaki TaniJapan	198,000
CY Choi YounsikSouth Korea	196,000
HL Henrik LindahlDenmark	190,000
HA Hatim Abdul HusseinAustralia	190,000
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	189,000
SS Shingo SakamotoJapan	186,000
RE Raymond EnriquezPhilippines	184,000
SB Segundo BartePhilippines	183,000
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	174,000
MK Myeonghwa KangSouth Korea	168,000
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	167,000
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	161,000
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	157,000
HJ Hwang JunhyunSouth Korea	155,000
AA Antonio AbesamisPhilippines	151,000
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	151,000
HS Hui SunChina	147,000
FD Frederick DimayugaPhilippines	144,000
MP Maxwell Philippe RosetePhilippines	133,000
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	131,000
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	126,000
NZ Norihisa ZaitsuJapan	118,000
LE Lenart EcarmaPhilippines	97,000
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	96,000
YS Younghwan SungSouth Korea	96,000
IA Ioannis AthiniotisGreece	95,000
IJ Ireneo JavaleraPhilippines	90,000
TR Trevor Reid TouchtonUnited States of America	84,000
ST Satoshi TakahashiJapan	82,000
JP Jay PayuyoPhilippines	80,000
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	77,000
MW Markus WolterGermany	72,000
KH Kim HyoungchulSouth Korea	67,000
DG David GonzalesUnited States of America	64,000
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	60,000
JC Jose CheungPhilippines	42,000
MA Marco AlmerezPhilippines	36,000
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	34,000
AG Alwin Goh Jia RongSingapore	28,000
KP Kai Ping ChooMalaysia	28,000
RR Rodolf RamoPhilippines	21,000
SG Stefan GreinerAustralia	18,000