Main Event

After the rush of the Day 1 qualifiers, the 80 who advanced to Day 2 of the Manila Megasatck 19 Main Event had already undergone a plethora of ups and downs that just making ITM seemed victory enough. But then they walk back through the doors of Okada Manila and proceed to the competition venue and suddenly, the switches turn back on.

The pressure was on the Day chip leaders such as Tasaku Maruo of Japan who was the only one to breach 400,000 in chips from Day 1A, Vince Nachor who was seemingly invincible after topping Day 1B, overall chip leader William Ysmael who benefitted from joining and grinding through the traffic of the biggest Day 1 field in Day 1C and Eman Segismundo, who had the added challenge of a turbo structure and the smallest entry group in Day 1D.

But once Japan's Ryoya Inokuchi offically became the first bust out of Day 2, the eliminations hastened and pretty soon some pre-tournament favorites started being railed such as Andrej Nagy who came up just short in the Mysterty Bounty event (finished 68th) and Filipino Joemark Vasay who took down the Manila Super Series Main Event last June (finished 26th).

Soon, the cream rose to the top and after the elimination of Yoshifumi Sasaki in tenth place, the Final Table saw five Filipino players, an American, an Australian, a Japanese and a Hong Kong native/Singapore resident. All told, it was going to be a eventful.

The lone Australian Craig Landry had made the Final Table of the Manila Megastack Main Event and was seeking redemption. The lone American Jaime Ramon Reyes has cashed exclusively in the Philippines but never could never make a relevant finish. The lone Japanese player Masanori Ishihara had already cashed twice in the festival but had never come close to the trophy. Rishi Mirpuri (born in Hong Kong but residing in Singapore) was already guaranteed the biggest cash of his career just by making it to the Final Table but why stop there? Then the Filipinos: Rick Jason Ambata, Jason Kyle Magbanua, Maxwell Rosete, Edilberto "Duroy" Gopez and Ysmael all have extensive rap sheets and could all vie for the title. It was a Final Table cast laden with high drama.

And it did not disappoint.

From the forceful dominance of Gopez to the cheering gallery of Landry, from the quiet fist pumps of Mirpuri to the swings that made Rosete a contender, and to battle against adversity of Ysmael and finally being handed the title, it indeed was worth the five day saga and a thrilling conclusion to what has been a memorable series.

Congratulations are in order for all the winners and all who found a piece of themselves in the Manila Megastack 19 Main Event.

William Ysmael of the Philippines bested a field of 521 entries and in the end an ICM chop awarded him the title and PhP3,035,000 (~US$54,188).

He and fellow Filipino Edilberto "Duroy" Gopez were slated to battle in Heads Up before both decided to split the remining prize money and have Ysmael declared as champion.

It is the seventh title for the Filipino and third Main Event trophy the Asia Poker Championship Main Event in 2022 and the Pokerstars Manila Super Series 17 Main Event last year.

Gopez also gets the same amount in his second place while Australian Craig Landry finished third for PhP1,670,000 (~US$29,817).

Dates: September 25-29, 2024

Buy in: Php 45,000 (~US$800)

Guarantee: PhP20,000,000 (~US$357,085)

Prize pool: PhP20,467,485 (~US$365,432)

Entries: 521 (290 unique)

ITM: 80 places

Day 1A entries: 78 / 12 qualified

Day 1B entries: 130 / 20 qualified

Day 1C entries: 250 / 38 qualified

Day 1D (Turbo) entries: 63 / 10 qualified

Remaining Payouts:

1st - William Ysmael - Philippines - PhP3,035,000* (~US$54,188)

2nd - Edilberto Gopez - Philippines - PhP3,035,000* (~US$54,188)

3rd - Craig Landry - Australia - PhP1,670,000 (~US$29,817)

4th - Jaime Ramon Reyes - United States - PhP1,290,000 (~US$23,032)

5th - Maxwell Rosete - Philippines - PhP990,000 (~US$17,678)

6th - Jason Magbanua - Philippines - PhP760,000 (~US$13,579)

7th - Masanori Ishihara - Japan - PhP585,500 (~US$10,454)

8th - Rick Jason Ambata - Philippines - PhP450,000 (~US$8,034)

9th - Rishi Mirpuri - Singapore - PhP376,485 (~US$6,722)

*The combatants in Heads Up decided on an ICM chop and determined that Ysmael would be the declared champion

The heads up battle for the Manila Megastack 19 Main Event will not push through as, by virtue of an ICM chop, William Ysmael is the new champion.

Ysmael and fellow Filipino Edilberto Gopez have decide to split the remaining prize money of PhP6,070,000 (~US$108,375) evenly and will both be receiving PhP3,035,000 (~US$54,188).

Congratulations to William Ysmael, the Main Event champion of the Manila Megastack 19!

Hand #154: After sustaining a heavy blow to his stack in the previous hand, Craig Landry has moved all-in from UTG/D for his remaining 555,000. William Ysmael and Edilberto Gopez call.

The flop is Q♣ Q♥ T♠ as both Filipinos check. The turn is the 5♠ . Ysmael checks and Gopez bets 500,000. Ysmael folds.

Landry turns over 5♦ 7♠ while Gopez tables T♥ T♦ for a full house on the flop and a sure knockout blow against the Australian. The river card of the K♣ makes it official.

Landry finishes in third place for PhP1,670,000 (~US$29,817) as we now enter Heads UP for the Main Event trophy.

Hand #153: The action folded to Craig Landry in the SB and completes but William Ysmael raises from the BB to 360,000. Landry calls.

The flop is K♣ J♠ 6♦ as Landry checks. Ysmael CBets to 425,000 and Landry calls. The turn is the A♠ Ysmael once again bets, now for 825,000. Landry goes over the top all-in. Ysmael is still covered but the Filipino still calls.

Landry flips over J♥ 5♣ for a pair of jacks while Ysmael shows A♣ K♥ for top two pairs. The Australian cannot catch anything to win and the river card of 4♥ even gives hima two-pair of his own but he gets crippled.

Hand #149: Craig Landry raises from UTG/D to 250,000 and gets a call from William Ysmael.

The flop is J♦ Q♣ 3♠ as Ysmael checks and Landry continues for 125,000. The turn card is the 5♥ . This time, both check. The river is the K♦ and they check it down.

Landry shows 4♣ 3♦ for bottom pair. Ysmael mucks.

Hand #150: Ysmael gets a walk.

Hand #151: Landry opens from UTG/D for 250,000 and gets re-raised to 600,000 by Edilberto Gopez in the BB. Landry calls.

The flop is 3♣ 2♣ 7♦ . Gopez unloads 500,000 and gets called. The turn is the 7♥ and Gopez fires again for 800,000. This time Landry folds.

Hand #144: Another family pot ensues as Edilberto Gopez raises from UTG/D and gets called by both Craig Landry (SB) and William Ysmael (BB).

The flop comes A♠ 7♥ 9♠ s the blinds check and Gopez CBets to 300,000. Landry folds but Ysmael still comes along. The turn is the 8♣ and this time both Filipinos check. The river is the K♦ and it goes check-check again.

Gopez tables A♥ 5♠ for top pair on the flop and Ysmael mucks.

Hand #145: Landry raises from UTG/D to 200,000 and Gopez defends his BB.

The flop is 5♦ 8♦ T♦ as both check. The turn is the 4♠ . Gopez bets 500,000 and Landry calls. The river is the J♥ and this time both check.

Gopez auto mucks his hand awarding the pot to the Australian.

Hand #146: Ysmael raises from UTG?D and gets no callers.

Hand #147: Unraised to the blinds of Landry (SB) and Ysmael (BB), the flop goes 9♠ K♠ 7♥ as Landry checks. Ysmael bets 100,000 and the Australian folds.

Hand#148: Ysmael (SB) vs. Gopez (BB) battle in this unraised pot. The flop comes 4♦ 2♣ 6♥ as both check. The turn is the 4♥ and it goes check-check again. The river is the Q♥ as Ysmael thorws his hand into the muck to give Gopez the pot.

Gopez shows J♥ 3♠ .

Hand #140: Edilberto Gopez raises to 300,000 from the SB and takes Craig Landry's BB and the ante.

Hand #141: Gopez raises UTG/D and gets no callers.

Hand #142: William Ysmael (SB) versus Gopez (BB) in another unraised pot.

The flop comes J♠ 6♥ 9♣ as both check. The turn is the 2♣ . Ysmael bets 125,000 and Gopez folds.

Hand #143: Ysmael raises UTG/D and gets no callers.

Hand #137: Cfaig Landry gets a walk.

Hand #138: Unraised to the blinds, the flop comes 2♥ 7♥ 9♣ . Landry in the CBbets 500,000 and gets called by William Ysmael in the BB. The turn is the T♣ as this time both check. The river is the 4♦ . Landry fires again for 300,000 and Ysmael calls.

Landry tables Q♦ J♣ for a missed straight while Ysmael shows 5♠ 2♠ for the extreme bottom pair and the win.

Hand #139: Landry raises UTG/D while Ysmael (SB) and Gopez (BB) make it a family pot.

The flop comes T♣ 7♦ 2♠ as all check. The turn is the 7♥ as Ysmael bets 300,000 and both opponents fold.

Hand #136: American Jaime Reyes open shoves from UTG for 1,585,000 and gets called in BB by Edilberto Gopez of the Philippines.

Reyes turns over 3♥ 3♠ while Gopez has him crushed with Q♣ Q♥ .

The subsequent runout even gave Gopez a straight: 8♦ K♥ T♦ J♠ 9♠ as Reyes gets eliminated at fourth place and gets PhP1,290,000 (US$23,032).

There are only three players remaining.

Hand #134: Gopez continues his bullying way by raising from the D for 250,000 but this time gets a call from Craig Landry from the BB.

The flop is 2♥ 8♠ J♣ . Landry checks and Gopez continues for 300,000. Landry calls. The turn is the 8♣ as this time both check. The river is the K♥ and now it's Landry who comes in first for 300,000. Gopez folds.

Hand #135: Jaime Reyes raises from the D for 200,000 and gets called by William Ysmael.

The flop is 6♠ 2♠ T♦ as Ysmael checks and Reyes CBets for 150,000 to which Ysmael fires back for 475,000. Reyes uses one time bank card in pondering his decision and ultimately folds.

Hand #129: William Ysmael raises from the D for 200,000 and gets 3-bet by Edilberto Gopez from the SB for 650,000. Ysmael calls.

The flop bring the Q♠ A♦ 2♦. Gopez CBets 300,000 and Ysmael folds.

Hand #130: Gopez raises from the Button and Craig Landry re-raises him all-in. Gopez Folds.

Hand #131: Gopez tries another one of those longest distance heists from UTG and pays off.

Hand #132: It's Ysmael versus Gopez again in the blinds in another unraised pot as the flop comes 3♠ 7♣ T♠ . Ysmael is first to act in the SN and checks. Gopez bets 175,000 and is called. The turn is the Q♥ as both check. The river is the 6♠ . Ysmael checks and Gopez takes the pot down with a bet of 650,000 as Ysmael folds.

Hand #133: Gopez steals Reye's BB from the SB

Hand #128: For a change, Jaime Reyes makes a raise from UTG and it gets folded to the BB of Edilberto Gopez who defends.

The flop is A♠ T♠ A♦ as Reyes CBets 100,000. Gopez makes the call. The turn is the T♥ and this time both check. The river is the 5♦ as Reyes fires 550,000. Gopez still calls.

Reyes turns over A♥ K♣ for trips on the flop and a fill house on the turn. Gopez throws his hand into the muck.

Hand #127: It's blind vs. blind anew as Craig Landry completes his SB and William Ysmael checks his BB option.

The flop is 9♣ A♦ 7♣ as Landry bets into the Filipino for 125,000. Ysmael calls. The urn is the 6♦ and Landry once again unloads, this time for 250,000. Ysmael still calls. The river card is the 5♣ and now Landry slows down and checks. Ysmael fires 650,000 and is called by the Australian.

Ysmael tables 9♥ 2♣ for middle pair on the flop while Landry turns over T♣ 7♥ for their pair on the flop.

The pot cost Landry over a million in chips.

Hand #126: The action is folded over to the Button where Edilberto Gopez makes a raise to 250,000 as the action gets to Craig Landry in the BB and the Australian 3-bets to 600,000. Gopez calls.

The flop comes J♦ 7♣ K♠ and Landry unleashes another bet of 800,000. Gopez does not continue in the hand.

Hand #121: It goes to the blinds and in an unraised pot between Filipino Edilberto Gopez and Jaime Reyes of the USA, the flop comes 4♦ 6♥ 4♥ as both players check. The turn is the Q♥ and Gopez blasts 125,000 into the pot. Reyes folds.

Hand #122: Craig Landry gets a walk.

Hand #123: Once again the blinds tangle as Landry raises to 250,000 from his SB and gets the defense from William Ysmael.

The flop is 4♣ 4♥ 7♥ . Both check. The turn is the J♥ Landry checks and Ysmael bets 200,000 as the Australian makes the call. The river card is the A♦ . Landry comes out firing for 300,000. Ysmael chooses to walk away.

Hand #124: This time Ysmael is in the SB and the action gets folded to him. He completes his SB and Edilberto Gopez checks his option.

The flop is A♥ 5♥ J♥ . Ysmael fires 100,000 and Gopez quickly folds.

Hand #125: Ysmael is at it again, this time raising from the Button and stealing the blinds and ante.

Hand #117: Craig Landry raises from UTG and gets non callers.

Hand #118: Landry gets a walk.

Hand #119: In an unraised pot between the blinds featuring Craig Landry (SB) and William Ysmael (BB), the flop shows 2♥ 4♥ 3♥ . Landry checks and Ysmael bets 110,000. Landry makes the call. The turn is the 5♦ as Ysmael once again fires into the pot for 250,000 and still gets another call from the Australian. The river is the Q♥ and this time, it's Landry who takes the betting lead as he unloads a small bet of 100,000.

Ysmael folds.

Hand #120: Ysmael takes it out on Gopez in the next hand as it is folded to him in the SB and makes a raise to 325,000. Gopez does not contest.

Hand #116: Maxwell Rosete goes all-n from UTG for his remaining 1,180,000 and gets called in the BB by Edliberto Gopez.

Rosete shows T♠ T♦ but Gopez has a better pocket pair with Q♥ Q♠ .

The first three community cards gave Gopez an almost insurmountable lead: A♥ Q♦ 4♣ for a set. Rosete needed running cards to survive but when the 8♥ hit the turn, he was already drawing dead. The K♠ on the river made it official.

Rosete is railed in 5th but will still be getting PhP990,000 (~US$17,676) as Gopez regains the chip lead.

The final four players continue the battle.

Hand #110: Gopez with a successful heist from UTG

Hand #111: Gopez gets a walk.

Hand #112: Rosete gets a walk.

Hand #113: Landry steals from UTG.

Hand #114: Gopez raises from the CO and gets no callers.

Hand #115: Rosete shoves from the CO and everyone folds.

Hand #109: The blinds take centerstage as Jaime Reyes raises it to 240,000 from his SB and gets called by Australian Craig Landry.

The flop comes T♣ Q♣ K♠ . Both skip a street. The turn is the 3♥ as Reyes checks, Landry bets 225,000. The American makes the call. The river is the 2♠ and it goes check-check.

Reyes tables J♠ J♦ and was disappointed to learn he got outdrawn by Landry holding K♦ 6♦.

Hand #108: Jaime Reyes gets a walk.

Hand #107: The action goes to blinds and in an unraised pot between Edilberto Gopez (SB) and Maxwell Rosete (BB), the flop comes A♠ 9♣ T♥ as Gopez leads out for 175,000 and gets the call from Rosete.

The turn is the T♠ and Gopez adds more spice by betting 325,000. He still gets called by Rosete. The river card is the 4♠ and this time Gopez unloads 800,000. Rosete still makes the call.

Gopez shows T♣ 9♥ as Rosete mucks.

Rosete now drops to below the one million mark and has bled considerably over his last two hands.

Hand #106: The action is folded to the blinds where William Ysmael in the SB raises to 260,000 and gets called by Edilberto Gopez.

The flop is A♥ 2♣ K♥ , Ysmael fires 340,000 but then Gopez raises to 800,000. Ysmael tanks and folds.

Hand #105: Edilberto Gopez raises to 160,000 and gets a call from William Ysmael in the BB.

The flop goes T♣ A♦ J♦ as Ysmael checks. Gopez takes down the pot with a CBet of 200.000.

Hand #104: William Ysmael raises from UTG to 160,000 and Edilberto Gopez re-raises to 360,000 from the CO. In the D, Maxwell Rosete 4-pbets to 1,000,000 and Australia's Craig Landry pushes all-in for his remaining 1,275,000.

Both Ysmael and Gopez exit but Rosete makes the call.

Landry flips over A♣ K♣ while a dismayed Rosete shows A♥ Q♣.

The first three community cards go 6♣ J♦ Q♥ to give Rosete the lead, but the turn of K♥ put the Australian ahead for good as the river is the 5♣ .

Rosete, who was hovering at second in chips, takes a major hit as Landry now moves up to second behind Ysmael.

Hand #100: The one hundredth hand of the Main Event actually sees a flop when the action is folded to Jaime Reyes in the D and raises to 160,000. William Ysmael of the Philippines defends his BB.

The flop comes T♥ 4♣ 6♣ as Ysmael checks, Reyes bets 120,000 and the Filipino folds.

Hand #101: Reyes raises from the CO for 160,000 and gets called by Edilberto Gopez in the BB.

The flop is 2♦ 8♥ Q♣ as Gopez checks, Reyes fires 120,000 and Gopez folds.

Hand #102: Ysmael this time has the action folded to him on the D and he raises to 160,000. Maxwell Rosete opts to defend his BB.

The flop is A♥ 4♥ Q♦ as Rosete checks. Ysmael bets 160,000 and Rosete folds.

Hand #103: William Ysmael steals from the CO

Hand #96: William Ysmael completes his SB but Edilberto Gopez raises it to 330,000 as Ysmael concedes the pot.

Hand #97: Jaime Reyes raises from UTG to 160,000 and gets called by Maxwell Rosete in the BB.

The flop is Q♠ 7♣ K♣ as Rosete checks, Reues bets 100,000 and Rosete folds.

Hand #98: Ysmael tries to steal by raising to 160,000 from the CO but gets 3-bet all-in by Gopez. Ysmael folds.

Hand #99: Gopez steals the blinds and ante from CO.

Hand #95: With the action folded to Jason Magbanua on the Button, the Filipino pro raises to 300,000. Craig Landry re-raises all-in from the SB and Magbananua calls for his remaining 575,000.

Landry tables 6♦ 6♥ while Magbanua flips over two over cards in A♠ T♥.

Coin-flipping for the Filipino's tournament life, the first three community cards are dealt: J♣ 8♦ 7♥ to add more outs for Magbanua who gets a gutshot straight draw.

The last two cards did not cooperate as it was the 5♣ and K♣.

The Australian gallery came to life again.

Magbanua is eliminated in 6th place and receives PhP760,000 (~US$13,570).

Five players left.

Hand #93: Gopez steals from CO.

Hand #94: William Ysmael raises to 160,000 from UTG and gets 3-bet by Maxwell Rosete in the CO to 550,000. Ysmael folds.

Hand #92: William Ysmael tries to stay aggressive as he rises from the CO for 160,000 and gets calls from Edilberto Gopez (D) and American Jaime Reyes (BB).

The flop is 6♦ Q♦ 8♦ as Reyes and Ysmael chec. Gopez bets into the monochrome board for 125,000. Reyes folds while Ysmael calls. The turn is the Q♠ as Ysmael checks again and Gp[ez continues firing, this time for 275.000. Ysmael still makes the call. The river card is the A♣ as now both check.

Ysmael turns over A♦ 9♠ for a pair of aces on the river and a missed nut flush draw. Gopez mucks his hand.

Ysmael is now the Main Event chip leader

Hand #90: Chip leader Maxwell Rosete opens from UTG for 160,000 and the action folds all the way to the BB of Edilberto Gopez who calls.

THe flop comes T♣ K♦ K♣ as both check. The turn is the 8♥ as Gopez checks again. Rosete bets 225,000 and Gopez folds.

Hand #91: William Ysmael steals from the button.

Hand #89: With the dust still beginning to settle from the last elimination, the action is folded to Craig Landry in the SB and completes his SB. But William Ysmael now in the BB raises to 240,000. Landry makes the call.

The flop is 3♥ 7♣ 6♦ as Ysmael continues his bombardment with 240,000. Landry still calls. The turn is the 4♠ and this time both check. The river is the A♥. Both check again.

Ysmael flips over Q♦ 4♥ for a pair on the turn. Landry mucks.

Hand #88: The action is folded to the blinds as Craig Landry declares he is all-in from his SB for 835,000. With a shorter stack, Masanori Ishihara makes the call from the BB.

The Australian shows A♣ 3♦ while Ishihara tables J♥ T♦.

The runout goes 5♦ 2♣ 2♥ 3♥ 8♥ as Landry eliminates Ishihara at seventh place but the gentleman from Japan gets PhP585,000 (~US$10,445).

The Australian gallery amplified their cheers of "Aussie, Aussie, Ayssie, oi, oi, oi" when their mate scooped the pot.

Six players remain.

Hand #87: Edilberto Gopez of the Phiippines raises to 160,000 from the HJ and Australia's Craig Landry chooses a BB defense.

The flop comes 8♠ 2♣ T♣ as Landry checks. Gopez CBets 200,000 and Landry folds.

Hand #86: Rick Jason Ambata open shoves 475,000 from UTG and gets called by William Ysmael in the HJ.

Ambata turns over A♣ 7♣ while Ysmael shows J♣ J♦ .

The first three community cards go 5♠ 6♣ 8♥ to give Ambata an open-ender. The turn is the 7♥ to increase Ambata's out to 13.

The river card, however, is the K♣ as Ambata crashes out in 8th place but also pockets PhP450,000 (~US$8,035).

Seven players remain.

Hand #84: William Ysmael steals the blinds and antes.

Hand #85: Jaime Reyes gets a walk.

Hand #83: Former chip leader Edilberto Gopez tries for another long distance steal by raising to 125,000 from UTG. Instead, new chip leader Maxwell Rosete re-raises it to 350,000 from the +1 position. Gopez reaches for more chips and 4-bets to 700,000. Rosete tanks and opts to call.

The flop is 8♦ 9♠ T♥ as Gopez checks. Rosete bets 500,000 and Gopez calls.

The turn is the K♣ as Gopez checks again. This time, Rosete empties the clip for an all-in bet of 1,470,000. Gopez takes an eternity and uses two time bank cards. He was close to using a third one when he decided to fold.

Rosete now climbs over the four million chip mark.

Hand #81: William Ysmael (with newly acquired chips) raises from the +1 for 120,000 and gets a BB defense from Australia's Craig Landry (who has a gallery of friends cheering him on).

The flop comes 4♥ 2♠ 4♣ as Landry checks. Ysamael CBets 260,000 and takes down the pot.

Hand #82: Edilberto Gopez steals the blinds and ante the +1 position.

Hand #80: William Ysmael makes a raise to 120,000 from the +2 position and gets re-raised by Jason Magbanua all-in by Jason Magbanua in the SB. Ysmael snap calls for his remaining 1,485,000.

Magbanua shows A♥ J♣ while Ysmael tables Q♥ Q♦ .

The runout goes J♥ 2♠ 3♥ T♣ 6♣ as the former Day 2 chip leader doubles up off of fellow Filipino Magbanua who is now down to about ten BBs.

Hand #77: Australia's Craig Landry steals from the HJ and gets no callers.

Hand #78: Edilberto Gopez raises from the CO and steals the blinds and ante.

Hand #76: Maxwell Rosete raises from UTG to 120,000 and gets called by chip leader Edilberto Gopez in the BB.

The flop comes Q♦ 6♣ 4♦ as Gopez checks. Rosete continues for 100,000 and gets the call. The turn is the Q♣ and this time both players check. The river is the T♥ as Gopez unloads 150,000 and gets called by Rosete.

Gopez flips over A♦ K♦ for a missed nut flush draw while Rosete shows 7♠ 6♠ for a pair of sixes on the flop.

With that loss, Gopez relinquishes the chip lead to Rosete.

Hand #72: Rick Jason Ambata receives a walk.

Hand #73: Jaime Reyes of the USA steals the blinds and ante.

Hand #74: Ambata moves all-in folded to him on the D and gets no callers.

Hand #75: Japan's Masanori Ichihara completes his SB and gets raised in the BB by William Ysmael to 160,000. Ishihara folds.

Hand #71: Chip leader Edilberto Gopez of the Philippines raises to 150,000 from the C) but gets re-raised by American Jaime Reyes in the SB for 330,000. Gopez tanks and ends up using one time bank card before calling.

The flop comes J♦ 7♣ 5♣ as Reyes CBets 150,000. Gopez calls. The turn is the 8♥ as Reyes fires again, this time for 270,000. Gopez 3-bets to 650,000. Reyes 4-bets all-in.

Gopez tanks anew but consequently lets it go.

Hand #66: Chip leader Edilberto Gopez raises from the +1 position for 125,000 and gets a call from Jason Magbanua in the CO.

THe flop comes 4♦ 5♣ 3♥ as both check. The turn card is the 4♥. Gopez bets 200,000 and Magbanua folds.

Hand #67: Magbanua steal from the HJ.

Hand #68: It goes unraised to the blinds as William Ysmael on the SB completes and Gopez in the BB checks.

The flop comes T♣ 4♥ K♠ as both check. The turn is the Q♥ . Gopez checks again and this time Ysmael bets 75,000. Gopez check-raises to 175,000 as Ysmael calls. The river is the 4♣ as now both check.

Gopez shows J♥ T♠ while Ysmael reveals A♣ A♥.

Hand #69: Magbanua raises from the +1 position but gets re-raised all-in by Masanori Ishihara in the CO. Magbanua folds.

Hands #70: Rick Jason Ambata of the Philippines shoves from the +1 position and gets no callers.

Hand #61: Folded to the blinds, it goes unraised to the flop of T♦ 4♦ A♥. Chip leader Edilberto Gopez is in the SB and bets 75,000, Maxwell Rosete in the BB folds.

Hand #62: Masanori Ishihara of Japan raises from the HJ and gets no callers.

Hand #63: In another unraised pot, the blinds battle. The flop is Q♠ 3♠ 9♣ as Jaime Reyes in the SB checks, so does Jason Magbanua in the BB. The turn is the 5♥ as Reyes checks again, Magbanua bets 380,000. Reyes calls. The river is the K♠ and both check.

Reyes tables 7♦ 7♠ and Magbanua folds.

Hand #64 Another unraised battle of the blinds ensue as Gopez in the SB talkes on Rosete in the BB. THe flop comes T♦ 4♦ A♥ . Gopez bets 75,000 and Rosete folds.

Hand #64: Ysmael steals the blinds and ante from the HJ

Hand #65: Ichihara steals from UTG

Hand #53: Chip leader Edilberto Gopez steals Maxwell Rosete's BB

Hand #54: Gopez raises to 175,000 from the D then Maxwell Rsete 3-bets to 400,000 from the SB. Gopez folds.

Hand #55: Rosete raises to 120,000 from the D and gets re-raised to 300,000 by American Jaime Reyes in the SB. Rosete walks away.

Hand #56: Blind vs. Blind again as Jason Magbanua shoves on his SB and gets no call from Rick Jason Ambata in the BB.

Hand #57: Gopez with another long distance heist from the +2 position and gets no callers.

Hand #58: Ysmael tops that by stealing all the way from UTG with no callers.

Hand #59: Gopez imitates and raises from UTG and is successful.

Hand #60: Finally a flop is seen as Ysmael completes his SB and Gopez checks his BB option.

The flop is A♥ 3♦ 4♦ as Ysmael checks. Gopez bets and Ysmael folds.

Eight players remain:

Hand #52: Rick Jason Ambata raises from the HJ for 100,000 and gets the chip leader Edilberto Gopez to defend his BB.

The flop comes 2♣ K♥ 5♣ as Gopez checks. Ambata CBets to 150,000 and gets called.

The turn is the A♥ and this time both check.

The river is the 3♥ . Gopez fires 500,000 and Ambata folds.

Ambata is now down to just a little over ten BBs after that lay down.

Hand #50: Rosete completes a long distance steal from the +2 position.

Hand #51: Gopez completes an even longer long distance steal from UTG.

Hand #49: Action is folded to the blinds as Rick Jason Ambata raises to 100,000 in the SB and gets called by Craig Landry.

The flop is A♥ A♣ 9♠ as Ambata CBets 100,000 and Landry calls.

The turn is the 5♣ and Ambata once again fires, this time to 200,000 and still gets called by the Australian.

The river is the 2♣ as now both check.

Ambata shows K♣ T♦ while a relieved Landry turns over J♣ J♦.

Hand #47: Jaime Reyes gives Jason Magbanua a walk.

Hand #48: Masanori Ichihara raises to 100,000 from the +1 but gets re-raised by Maxwell Rosete in the CO to 250,000. Ichihara folds.

Hand #46: Japan's Masanori Ishihara raises from the HJ to 300,000 and leaves 55,000 behind. He still gets a flat call from Rosete in the SB.

The flop is T♥ 7♦ Q♠ and Rosete donks for 355,000. Ishihara throws in his remaining chips.

Rosete shows 4♥ 4♦ while Ishihara tables Q♥ T♦ , hitting two pairs on the flop.

The last two community cards are the A♠ and the 3♥ as the player from Japan gets a much needed double up and be practically be back to where he started the day.

Hand #43: The action is folded to the CO of Rick Jason Ambata who raises to 110,000 and gets called by William Ysmael.

The flop is T♣ 4♦ 6♣ as Ysmael checks. Ambata bets 100,000 and Ysmael folds.

Hand #44: Craig Landry raises to 110,000 from the CO and chip leader Edilberto Gopez defends his BB.

The flop comes J♣ 2♣ Q♥ as both players check.

The turn is the A♦ . Gopez checks anew and Landry bets 80,000. Gopez folds.

Hand #45: Ambata raises from the LJ for 100,000 and Maxwell Rosete calls from the BB.

The flop is 7♦ Q♠ 6♥ . Rosete checks and Ambata CBets 150,000 and gets called.

The turn is the 4♥ as both check. The river is the K♥ and both check again.

Ambata tables A♦ A♣ as Rosete mucks.

Hand #42: With a dwindling stack, Singapore's Rishi Mirpuri announces he is all-in from the LJ for 360,000. Jason Magbanua of the Philippines calls in the CO.

Mirpuri tables T♣ T♥ while Magbanua has two over cards with A♥ J♣.

The flop immediately gives the Filipino the lead: 7♦ 9♦ A♠ , The next two cards fail to improve Mirpuri's situation and the Singaporean has been eliminated at ninth place and gets PhP376,485 (~US$6,722).

The Main Event now only has eight players remaining.

Hand #39: Unraised battle of the blinds sees Jaime Reyes complete his SB while Jason Magbanua checks.

The flop comes J♣ T♦ J♦ as both check. The turn is the A♣ as both check again. THe river is the 4♠ as Reyes now bets 100,000. Magbanua folds.

Hand #40: Folded to the blinds again, Magbanua raises to 125,000 in the SB but Rick Jason Ambata re-raises all-in. Magbanua is foiled.

Hand #41: Reyes raises to 125,000 from the CO and gets called by Australian Craig Landry in the BB.

The flop comes 7♠ J♥ 2♠ as Reyes CBets to 75,000. Landry folds.

Hand #36: Maxwell Rosete gets a walk.

Hand #37: Chip leader Edilberto Gopez steals Rishi Mirpuri's BB.

Hand #38: William Ysmael steals the BB of Jaime Reyes.

The action is folded to the LJ of Jason Magbanua who raises to 110,000 and gets a call from chip leader Edilberto Gopez.

The flop is 8♥ J♦ 3♦ as both players check. The turn is the K♦ and both check it again.

The river is the 2♠ and this time Gopez bets 200,000 as Magbanua quickly calls.

Gopez is forced to table his hand of 9♠ 6♠ while Magbanua flips over K♣ K♠ for top set on the turn. Magbanua may not have maximized his hand, but he got valuable information.

Hand #28: Rick Jason Ambata of the Philippines raises to 110,000 from the +2 position and is re-raised to 475,000 by chip leader Edilberto Gopez. Ambata folds.

Hand #29: Battle of the blinds as Rishi Mirpuri completes his SB and Jaime Reyes checks his option.

The flop is A♣ A♥ Q♦ as both check.

The turn is the 10s . Mirpuri checks and Reyes unloads 75,000. Mirpuri folds.

Hand #30: Ishihara steals the blinds and ante.

Hand #31: Folded to the blinds, Jason Magbanua shoves his SB and gets no call from Ambata.

Hand #32: Once again folded to the blinds, it's Ambata's turn to try and steal Craig Landry's BB by raising to 100,000 from his SB. The Australian 3-bets all-in. Ambata folds.

Hand #33: This time Ambata is successful in his heist attempt by making Ishihara fold with a raise.

Hand #34: It's Ishihara's turn to pilfer, this time raising from the D for 110,000 and William Ysmael gives up his BB.

Folded to the button of William Ysmael, The Filipino raises to 100,000 and Maxwell Rosete defends his BB.

The flop comes A♦ 4♣ J♦ as both players check.

The turn is the 2♥ . Rosete checks and Ysmael bets 140,000. Rosete calls.

The river is the 5♠ as Rosete checks again. Ysmael think for awhile and even has to toss in one time bank card. He decides to bet 475,000. Now Rosete goes into the tank and takes so long that he burns three time bank cards.

Eventually, Rosete opts to fold. Ysmael is back to over a million in chips,

Hand #25: Jason Magbanua raises to 100,000 from the CO but William Ysmael 3-bets all-in from the BB. Magbanua folds.

Hand #26: William Ysmael in the SB steals the BB

Hand #24: The action is folded to the CO of Jason Magbanua who raises to 90,000. Craig Landry calls from the SB.

The flop is K♠ 2♣ 4♠ as Landry checks. Magbanua CBets to 85,000 and gets called.

The turn is the A♥ and this time both check.

The river is the J♦ . Now it's Landry firing for 155,000. Magbanua goes deep in the tank and uses one time bank card before deciding to make the call.

Landry shows A♠ Q♠ for top pair on the flop. Magbanua mucks his hand.

Hand #23: William Ysmael raises to 80,000 from the +1 position and draws three callers in Maxwell Rosete (LJ), Jason Ambata (SB) and Craig Landry (BB).

The flop comes K♥ 6♠ 8♣ as it is checked back to the raiser who CBets 130,000. Rosete is the only caller.

The turn is the 4♦ . Ysmael and Rosete check.

The river is the Q♥ and Ysmael bets 350,000. Rosete calls.

Ysmael tables Q♠ J♠ while Rosete shows A♣ Q♣ , outkicking Ysmael and taking down the pot.

Hand #19: Folded to the blinds, Maxwell Rosete completes his SB and Rishi Mirpuri checks.

The flop is 4♦ Q♦ 6♠ as both check.

The turn is the Q♥ . Rosete bets 55,000 and gets called.

The river is the 9♣ as Rosete fires 175,000. Mirpuri folds.

Hand #20: Jaime Reyes gets a walk.

Hand #21: Chip leader Edilberto Gopez raises from the CO and gets no callers.

Hand #18: It is folded to the blinds where chip leader Edilberto Gopez riases to 130,000 and gets a call from the BB of Maxwell Rosete.

The flop comes 5♠ Q♣ 8♦ . Gopez continues for 80,000 and Rosete calls.

The turn is the J♥ and this time Gopez fires 300,000. Rosete still calls.

The river is the A♣ as Gopez unloads 500,000. Rosete raises all-in.

Gopez folds.

Hand #14: Maxwell Rosete raises from the LJ to 80,000 and Craig Landry defends his BB.

The flop is 8♦ 9♠ 3♦ as both gentlemen check.

The turn is the J♠ . Landry bets 75,000 and Rosete calls.

The river is the Q♥ and both check.

Landry shows 9♥ 5♥ for mid pair on the flop. Rosete mucks.

Hand #15: Gopez raises to 85,000 from the +1 position and gets no callers.

Hand #16: Gopez raises anew to 85,000 and again gets no callers.

Hand #17: The action is folded to the blinds where William Ysmael (SB) gives Gopez the first walk of the Final Table.

Jaime Reyes raises to 100,000 and gets called by chip leader Edilberto Gopez. However, Rishi Mirpuri 3-bets from the BB to 245,000. Reyes fold but Gopez calls.

It is heads up to the flop of 4♣ 5♠ 2♦ . Mirpuri bets 120,000 and Gopez calls.

The turn is the 6♥ . This time, Mirpuri checks and Gopez fires 225,000. Mirpuri calls.

The river is the A♦ as Mirpuri checks again. Gopez declares he is all-in for 3,800,000.

Mirpuri tanks and burns one time bank card before deciding to fold.

Hand #11: Action is folded to Maxwell Rosete in the D who raises to 90,000. Singapore's Rishi Mirpuri 3-bets all-in from the SB. All fold.

Hand #12: Gopez raises from the HJ for 90,000 and gets no callers.

Hand #10: American Jaime Ramon Reyes makes it 80,000 to go from the +1 and gets a BB defense from Maxwell Rosete.

The flop is J♠ K♥ 4♠ as Rosete checks. Reyes CBets to 80,000 and Rosete calls.

The turn is the A♠ . This time, both check.

The river is the Q♠ . Rosete checks and Reyes bets 250,000. Rosete calls.

Reyes shows K♠ Q♣ for two pairs. Rosete mucks.

Hand #5: Australian Craig Landry raising from UTG for 85,000 and gets a call from the +2 position from Filipino William Ysmael. However, chip leader Edilberto Gopez 3-bets from the LJ to 205,000 making Landry and Ysmael fold.

Hand #6: Jason Magbanua of the Philippines steals the BB of Landry with a 90,000 raise from the button.

Hand #7: Gopez keeps the aggression up by raising form the +1 position to 85,000. However, Maxwell Rosete re-raises him to 175,000 from the +2 and Gopez decides to fight another day.

Hand #8: Gopez is at it again by raising UTG for 85,000 and gets to callers in Rosete (+2) and fellow Filipino Jason Ambata (CO).

The flop is A♣ K♣ 6♣ as all check.

The turn is the 6♥ and they all still check.

The river is the 2♥ . All check.

Gopez tables J♥ J♦ . Rosete and Ambata muck.

Hand #9: Rosete raises from UTG to 90,000 as Ishihara and Gopez call.

The flop is A♠ 6♥ K♥ as all check.

The turn is the T♠ and all still check.

The river is the Q♥ as Gopez checks and Rosete fires 50,000 and gets no callers.

Hand #1: On the very first hand, Jason Magbanua of the Philippines raises from the +2 and gets no callers to dictate the early tempo.

Hand #2: A flop was seen when Japan's Masanori Ishihara raises to 85,000 from the HJ and got two callers in chip leader Edilberto Gopez and Rishi Mirpuri of Singapore.

The flop is 5♣ Q♦ 4♦ as Mirpuri checks. Ishihara's CBet of 70,000 makes both his opponents fold.

Hand #3: It was Magbanua's turn again when his UTG raise of 90,000 gets a call from American Jaime Ramon Reyes in the BB.

The flop comes 8♥ 5♠ 3♦ . Reyes checks and Magbanua follows for 160,000 leading to his opponent folding.

Hand #4: Ishihara took another swing as he raises again, this time from the +2 position for 80,000. However, Filipino Maxwell Rosete re-pops him to to 175,000 from the CO. Ishihara calls.

The flop goes 6♦ 7♦ Q♣ and Ishihara checks, Rosete fires 130,000 and Ishihara calls. The turn is the 3♠ . This time both check.The river is the J♦ and they check it down.

Ishihara shows 9♦ 9♠ while Rosete reveals that he rivered his Japanese opponent with K♣ J♥ .

Cards are in the air!

The Final Table of the Main Event begins today at Level 25 (20,000/40,000 - 40,000 BB Ante) as Tournament Director Gil Alim indicates.

All players are here and the competition resumes shortly.