Philippines National Cup (12,000 PHP)

Atsushi Takeuchi opened from late-position and short-stack Kenta Takahashi next to him moved all-in from the button for 215,000. Takeuchi made the call and Takahashi was at risk of getting busted by his fellow countryman.

Kenta Takahashi: Q♠ 9♠ Atsushi Takeuchi: Q♣ T♣

The A♣ 3♦ 2♦ Q♥ 7♣ gave Takahashi not the help he needed and he busted shortly before the final table.

Kenta Takahashi opened to 22,000 from under the gun and received three callers: Martin Gonzales from late position, Dongjae Kim on the button, and Katsuyuki Kondo from the big blind.

A flop ran out 3♦ T♦ A♣ , where Kondo checked over before Takahashi continued for 20,000, which was followed by a fold from Gonzales and a call from Kim. When the action got back to Kondo, he mucked. The T♠ fell on the turn, and Takahashi fired out 45,000. Kim called to see a 5♣ land on the river, which Takahashi fired another chunky bet of 85,000 and sent Kim into the tank. After around two minutes, Kim eventually elected to fold.

The refreshing air fills the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria for Day 2 of the Philippines National Cup, which kicks off at 11:15 am local time. Beginning with 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 big blind ante, the hopefuls will compete for a slice of the prize pool of PHP 4,034,765 (~USD 69,326) until a champion is crowned.

A total of 652 entries were recorded across three Day 1 flights. Only 58 survivors advanced to Day 2 and made it into the money. Each player now has their sights set on the trophy and the top prize of PHP 797,765 (~USD 13,700).

Singapore's Dalvin Carvalho sits at the top with a towering stack of 601,000, the only player surpassing 600,000 mark heading into the final day. Close behind are Nattawut Kwunsong (530,000), Zhi Xiang Png (508,000), Kenta Takahashi (478,000), Cheng Yen Lo (442,000), and Katsuyuki Kondo (407,000), who all have healthy stacks to begin Day 2.