Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #23

2025.01.27Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

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

Entries

1/467

Total Chips

14,010,000

Average

14,010,000

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 11:45:38 AM

Graham Cowan Clinches The Main Event for PHP 3,200,000 /~$54,680

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

Graham Cowan - MM 21 Main Event champion

Australia's Graham Cowan crushed the final table of the Manila Megastack 21 Main Event to clinch his first ever PokerStars LIVE title and an ICM deal payout of PHP 3,200,000 (~$54,680). Cowan is no stranger to live tournaments in Manila however this was his first victory on Asian soil. In a post-win interview, Cowan was ecstatic,

"I wanted to make my first tournament of the year here before I start traveling again. It's awesome to win, a great way to start the year."

Entering the final table, Cowan was third in chips and was never in danger of elimination. His rise began when he sent Ju Won Chung packing in 5th place with Q♠ Q♥ flush burning 7♦ 7♣ set on a board J♠ T♠ 7♠ 9♥ A♠ .

From then on, Cowan was unstoppable, test-betting aggressive players into folding. Despite getting the better of runner-up Kim Enriquez, Cowan shared,

"All the players at the final table were really good. Kim was excellent. He just knew how to read me and he just didn't give up."

Riding the high of his big win and with more cash in his pocket, Cowan plans to return next week for the Manila Super Series.

That wraps up the Manila Megastack 21 Main Event! The event ran from January 23-27, drawing 467 across four entry flights for a prize pool of PHP 20,000,000. Read up on the live updates for all the action.

Place	Player	Prize (USD)
1	GC Graham CowanAustralia	$54,680
2	KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	$40,557
3	AL Alexis LimPhilippines	$42,761
4	JK Jon KyteNorway	$23,035
5	JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	$17,720
6	FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	$13,625
7	JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	$10,475
8	AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	$8,070
9	MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	$6,280

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 11:25:37 AM

Kim Enriquez Eliminated In 2nd Place - PHP 2,373,500 /~$40,557

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

Kim Enriquez - 2nd Place

On the fourth heads up hand, Graham Cowan limped in and Kim Enriquez checked to see the flop cheap. Dealer fanned out 5♣ 4♣ 5♦ A♦ 5♥ . Cowan bets every street for 250,000, 500,000, and all in. Enriquez check-called each way and risked it on the river. At the reveal, Cowan's top pair crushed Enriquez's ducks to deny the locals the title.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	A♣7♥ D	14,010,000(117 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	2♥2♠ BB	busted

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 11:23:56 AM

Kim Enriquez Deals First Blow

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

Hard hunting for the title, Kim Enriquez picks up the first heads up hand. He limps in and Graham Cowan checks. The flop T♦ 9♣ T♣ opens with a bet from Cowan of 120,000, Enriquez calls. Cowan continues for another 250,000 on the turn 2♦ , and this time Enriquez raises 800,000, Cowan folds.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	8,815,000(73 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	5,135,000(43 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 11:06:08 AM

Heads Up: Kim Enriquez vs Graham Cowan

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

Kim Enriquez and Graham Cowan

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	9,485,000(79 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	4,525,000(38 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 11:05:59 AM

Alexis Lim Eliminated In 3rd Place - PHP 2,502,500 /~$42,761

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

Alexis Lim - 3rd Place

Alexis Lim's impressive run ended in 3rd place with Kim Enriquez cleaning him out. On a limped pot, Enriquez bet 150,000 on the flop 5♠ 6♥ 4♥ , Lim shoved 1,815,000 (15 bb), Enriquez called. Both players had the same pair with Enriquez showing a higher kicker.

With the turn 9♠ and river T♣ , Enriquez's kicker holds.

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	6♣2♣ BB	busted
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	6♦8♥ SB	4,525,000(38 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 11:00:43 AM

New Level, Faster Blinds

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

Blinds are up once again. The final 3 players will see blinds increase ever 30 minutes from here onwards.

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 3/467

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:50:12 AM

Another Double Up For Kim Enriquez

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

Kim Enriquez will not go down quietly, not in the slightest with another double up. Hand opened with button Graham Cowan raising 350,000, small blind Enriquez three-bet all in for 970,000, Cowan called. At the showdown, Enriquez led throughout.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	A♠7♣ SB	2,140,000(21 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	7♥6♥ D	8,520,000(85 BB)

Board:8♦Q♣2♠T♦2♣

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:44:19 AM

Kim Enriquez Doubles Up

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

Kim Enriquez

Down to just over 4 bb , Kim Enriquez is pushed by Graham Cowan and he makes the call for his tournament life.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	6♦5♦ BB	920,000(9 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	Q♦7♠ SB	9,390,000(94 BB)

With the board running T♥ 6♠ 4♥ 2♣ A♣ , Enriquez survives to continue his bid for the title.

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:41:31 AM

Graham Cowan Stops The Charging Kim Enriquez

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

With the deal in place, it's back to action. Small blind Graham Cowan raises 250,000, big blind Kim Enriquez won't let his blinds be stolen and calls. At the flop 5♥ J♦ 3♣ , Cowan c-bets 200,000 and continues on with Enriquez calling. The turn 8♦ sees a change with Enriquez taking control with a 500,000 bet. Cowan calls and the board completes 7♥ . Again Enriquez attacks with a 1,100,000 bet. Cowan check-raises all in, Enriquez is stopped in his tracks.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	9,850,000(99 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	660,000(7 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:39:40 AM

ICM Deal Discussed And Reached

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

The final three players have reached an ICM deal. Play will continue for the PokerStars spadie and PHP 150,000.

Guaranteed Payouts

Graham Cowan - PHP 3,050,000

Alexis Lim - PHP 2,502,000

Kim Enriquez - PHP 2,373,000

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:21:07 AM

Chip Counts

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

Graham Cowan

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	3,440,000(34 BB)	1	1
GC Graham CowanAustralia	7,800,000(78 BB)	1	6
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	2,790,000(28 BB)	1	9

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:20:26 AM

Jon Kyte Goes Down In 4th Place - PHP 1,339,000 /~$23,035

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

Jon Kyte - 4th Place

After losing a large chunk to Kim Enriquez, the lone Norwegian at the table, Jon Kyte risked his last 7.5 bb. Big blind Graham Cowan could easily afford it and made the call. At the showdown, Kyte had the higher kicker but Cowan connected on the board to pack up on 4th place.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	J♦7♥ BB	7,800,000(78 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	A♥J♠ SB	busted

Board:7♠3♥6♥T♥9♠

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:19:28 AM

Alexis Lim Gets The Best Of The Leader

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

Alexis Lim seems to be the only one able to get by the chip leader Graham Cowan as he picks up another two pots. The first one Lim three-bets 750,000 and Cowan folds, giving up his 250,000 raise.

Next hand, Lim raises 200,000 and Cowan calls from the big blind. Both check it to the turn Q♦ J♥ 8♣ 2♦ . Cowan leads out 215,000, Lim keeps him honest and calls. It is back to checking on the river 3♠ . Lim's kicker takes it down.

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	K♣T♦ D	3,640,000(36 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	K♠9♠ BB	7,295,000(73 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:14:14 AM

Kim Enriquez Doubles Up, Jon Kyte Plunges

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

From the button, Kim Enriquez raised 210,000 and big blind Jon Kyte defended. At the flop 3♦ 6♦ J♠ , Enriquez continued for 300,000, Kyte jammed, Enriquez called risking his tournament life.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	J♥7♥ D	2,790,000(28 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	K♣3♠ BB	750,000(8 BB)

With the turn A♥ and river Q♦ , Enriquez's top pair earned him a full boost while Kyte plunged to 7.5 bb.

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 10:04:17 AM

Ace-High Good For Alexis Lim

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

Alexis Lim

Looking down at A♥ 6♥ , button player Alexis Lim raises 230,000 and big blind Graham Cowan calls wih K♥ 4♥ . Both pass on the flop 9♦ 9♥ 8♣ . On the turn 6♦ , Cowan checks again, Lim slides out 125,000, Cowan makes the call. With the river 8♥ , the board shows two pair. Cowan checks, Lim bets 200,000, Cowan wants to see Lim's hand and calls then quickly mucks.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	8,060,000(81 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,875,000(29 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:55:46 AM

Jon Kyte Wins Two Pots

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

Jon Kyte

Jon Kyte chipped up a bit with two small pots going his way. The first one saw him limp from the button, Graham Cowan checked, and the flop ran Q♥ K♣ K♥ . Kyte jumped out with bet of 100,000 and won the pot.

Next hand, utg Alexis Lim raised 210,000, button Kyte re-raised 1,500,000, Lim tossed his hand in the muck.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,200,000(22 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,150,000(22 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:52:45 AM

Kim Enriquez Doubles Up

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

Kim Enriquez

Facing a raise of 250,000, Kim Enriquez moved it all out front for 465,000, Cowan called. At the reveal, Enriquez had the better kicker and held throughout the board.

Player	Hand	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	K♣Q♦ D	1,130,000(11 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	K♦6♣ UTG	8,800,000(88 BB)

Board:8♣J♠5♦K♠J♣

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:45:33 AM

Graham Cowan Enters 9M Range

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

Graham Cowan is dusting the competition and has now risen to 9.4M after taking down a few pots with uncalled raises.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	9,435,000(94 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:40:57 AM

Kim Enriquez Cant Get Rid Of The Leader

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

Kim Enriquez

Graham Cowan continues to dominate the action picking up another pot. This was a big one against Kim Enriquez who barreled down the streets and losing well over half of his stack.

Hand opened with utg Alexis Lim raising 210,000, small blind Cowan called, big blind Enriquez three-bet 760,000, Lim begged off while Cowan flat. On the flop and turn 4♦ K♣ 6♥ K♠ , Enriquez bets 350,000 and 500,000, Cowan check-called then they both checked the river 8♦ . Cowan flipped over 7♦ 7♥ , Enriquez mucked.

On the next hand, Cowan opened 350,000, big blind Lim called, then both checked to the river K♦ 4♠ 9♣ 2♦ Q♦ . Following Lim's check, Cowan bet 600,000 and won the pot unchallenged. He showed J♦ T♥ .

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	8,835,000(88 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,560,000(26 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	765,000(8 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:34:44 AM

Chip Counts

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

Final 4 players

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	3,280,000(33 BB)	1	1
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,030,000(20 BB)	1	3
GC Graham CowanAustralia	6,365,000(64 BB)	1	6
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	2,475,000(25 BB)	1	9

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/467

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:21:44 AM

Graham Cowan Confident With Ace-High

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

Graham Cowan is on a hot streak winning another two hands to rise to 6.4M. The first was with an uncalled raise to collect the blinds and ante. On the next, he earned 5 bb in a pot against Alexis Lim.

From the button, Cowan raised 170,000 and Lim defended on the big blind. Both checked to the turn 9♥ 2♦ J♥ J♣ . Lim led out 225,000 and Cowan called. It was back to checking on the river Q♦ . Cowan's A♦ T♣ ace-high was good with Lim mucking.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	6,400,000(80 BB)
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	3,360,000(42 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:18:32 AM

Graham Cowan Stops The Charging Enriquez

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

Graham Cowan

From utg, Graham Cowan limps in, button Kim Enriquez raises it up to 160,000. Before action proceeds, the players discover that the dealer button was in the wrong position, making Alexis Lim and Jon Kyte the blinds again. With action already in play, the game had to continue. Cowan called.

At the flop 9♦ K♠ J♠ , Enriquez fired 180,000, Cowan check-raised 550,000, Enriquez backed off.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	5,500,000(69 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	2,600,000(33 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 9:09:59 AM

Jon Kyte Gets A Shove Through

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

Jon Kyte

From the small blind, chip leader Alexis Lim raised 225,000, big blind Jon Kyte answered with a shove of 2,000,000, Lim tanked for well over a minute then folded.

Player	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	4,600,000(58 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,305,000(29 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:57:23 AM

Ju Won Chung Burned Into 5th Place - PHP 1,030,000 /~$17,720

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

Ju Won Chung - 5th Place

Ju Won Chung shoved for the last time as he fell to Graham Cowan on a sick board. From utg, Chung raised 175,000, Cowan re-raised all in, Chung called putting his tournament life on the line.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	7♦7♣ UTG	busted
GC Graham CowanAustralia	Q♠Q♥ BB	4,900,000(61 BB)

Far behind, Chung landed a set on the flop J♠ T♠ 7♠ however was not out of the woods with two cards to come. The turn 9♥ gave Cowan more outs, and it landed on the river A♠ for the flush to crush Chung's set.

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:52:58 AM

Ju Won Chung Picks Up A Couple Of Pots

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

Ju Won Chung may have been denied on a split but still chipped up by picking up a couple of pots shortly after. The first hand, Chung shoved and won the blinds and ante. The next, he faced a raise of 160,000 from Jon Kyte that was called by Graham Cowan. Chung three-bet 450,000 and shipped the pot with no callers.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,600,000(33 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,100,000(26 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,750,000(22 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:44:35 AM

Split Pot Denies Ju Won Chung The Boost

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

Graham Cowan

Ju Won Chung pushed all in with A♦ K♠ and had the better hand against caller Graham Cowan's A♥ 8♠ . Chung further improved on the board T♥ J♣ 4♣ K♥ , however, with the river Q♥ , both had the straight to split the pot.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,730,000(34 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,550,000(19 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:39:56 AM

Florencio Campomanes Flips Into 6th Place - PHP 792,000 / ~$13,625

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

Florencio Campomanes - 6th Place

The fighting Florencio Campomanes has been stopped in 6th place by Alexis Lim. The hand opened with a 170,000 raise from Campomanes, Lim three-bet 650,000, Campomanes shoved, Lim called. At the showdown, Lim flopped a ton of outs and connected on the river to win the flip. Lim zoomed to the top of the counts.

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	A♥K♦ BB	4,900,000(61 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	J♦J♥ HJ	busted

Board:6♥4♥T♥9♣K♣

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:29:46 AM

Florencio Campomanes Shoves And Shoves

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

Florencio Campomanes kicked off the hand with 1,075,000 and has brought it up to 1,435,000 with multiple uncalled shoves. The first two shoves he won the blinds and antes. On the third, while sitting on the small blind, Campomanes repopped button Kyte's 160,000 raise. Kyte folded.

Player	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	1,435,000(18 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:23:37 AM

Check-Raise Takedown For Ju Won Chung

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

Ju Won Chung

First hand of the new level and Ju Won Chung shows muscle. Defending his big blind against cutoff raiser Jon Kyte, Chung check-raises the flop 5♠ A♥ 6♠ from 150,000 to make it 350,000 to see the turn. Kyte doesn't take the offer.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,290,000(29 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,335,000(17 BB)

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/467

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:11:32 AM

Alexis Lim's Checks To Induce Bets

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

Alexis Lim

From utg, Florencio Campomanes min-raises and goes head to head against caller Alexis Lim on the small blind. When the flop comes K♥ 6♠ 9♦ , Lim check-calls 110,000. Both check the turn J♥ , then Lim checks the river 7♣ . No checking for Campomanes with a 180,000 bet laid out, Lim calls and wins the pot with two pair.

Player	Hand	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	K♦J♥ SB	3,600,000(60 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	K♥Q♣ UTG	1,160,000(19 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 8:05:12 AM

Graham Cowan Recovers Some Chips

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

Graham Cowan lost a series of pots to send his stack 2.36M. He recovered some of the lost chips against Ju Won Chung. During the hand, Cowan opened from the button for 125,000 and small blind Chung called. Action was the same at the flop and turn T♠ K♠ 8♠ A♦ with Chung check-calling Cowan's 155,000 and 255,000 bets. On the river 8♣ , both checked. Cowan's A♥ Q♠ prevailed.

The next hand, Chung denied Cowan who raised 160,000, Chung shoved and claimed the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,800,000(47 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,100,000(18 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:54:00 AM

Another Lucky Runout For Florencio Campomanes

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

Florencio Campomanes

Florencio Campomanes's luck continues, coming from behind to stay in the running. Down to 7 bb, he moved all in and was called by Graham Cowan with a dominating hand until the flop.

Player	Hand	Chips
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	K♦T♣ CO	1,340,000(22 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	A♠K♣ D	3,000,000(50 BB)

Board:8♦K♥T♥7♠6♦

Three hands later, Campomanes picks up another pot against Cowan with 5♦ 5♠ besting 3♠ 3♥ adding 300,000 (5 bb) to his stack.

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:50:45 AM

Jon Kyte Banks It With A Boat

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

Three players in a raised pot see a flop land 3♦ Q♣ 5♣ . Following two checks, cutoff Kim Enriquez c-bets 165,000 and only small blind Jon Kyte calls. On the turn Q♦ , Kyte switches up and fires 290,000, Enriquez calls. More heavy action is seen on the river 9♣ . Kyte leads out 640,000, Enriquez raises 1.7 Million, Kyte only has 665,000 behind and snap-calls for his tournament life. Boat beats the flush for a double up to Kyte.

Player	Hand	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	Q♥9♥ BB	2,675,000(45 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	6♣7♣ CO	2,700,000(45 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:45:09 AM

Graham Cowan Pushes For The Pot

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

Graham Cowan

At Hand #75, Graham Cowan picked up a sizable pot against Jon Kyte. Cowan kicked off the hand with a min-raise from hijack and big blind Kyte defended. When the cards ran 5♦ A♥ J♥ , Cowan pumped the pot another 135,000 and Kyte did the same with a check-call. On the turn J♣ , Kyte attempted to take control with a 280,000 lead out bet however, Cowan answered with a shove that pushed Kyte out of the pot.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	3,600,000(60 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,305,000(22 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:43:22 AM

Kim Enriquez Rises To 4M

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

Kim Enriquez

Chip leader Kim Enriquez has become the first to reach 4M in chips. Sending him there was a hand against Jon Kyte who raised 120,000 from hijack. Enriquez defended his big blind to see a flop K♠ K♦ 9♥ . Kyte continued for 60,000, Enriquez check-called, then both checked the turn 8♣ and river 7♦ . Enriquez claimed the pot with 6♣ 9♣ two pair.

Enriquez also won the next hand with an uncalled raise from the small blind position.

Player	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	4,160,000(69 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,385,000(40 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:38:42 AM

Jon Kyte Takes It With A Straight

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

Jon Kyte

Jon Kyte min-raises from the button and gets action from big blind Graham Cowan. At the flop 6♥ 8♥ A♣ , Kyte c-bets 140,000 and Cowan obliges. Both players proceed to check the turn J♥ and river Q♥ . At the flip, both players don't have a heart. Kyte wins with a straight.

Player	Hand	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	K♣T♣ D	2,565,000(43 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	6♦9♦ BB	2,750,000(46 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:35:43 AM

No Significant Action

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

The first ten hands kicked off with Florencio Campomanes shoving and finding no callers. No significant action followed. One of the bigger pots was Kim Enriquez raising 125,000 from cutoff, Alexis Lim three-betting 325,000 from the button, Enriquez folded. Lim showed K♣ K♠ .

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:33:22 AM

Chip Counts

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

After two levels, the field was trimmed to 6 players. Entering the new level with Kim Enriquez in the lead.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,790,000(47 BB)	1	1
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,910,000(32 BB)	1	3
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	810,000(14 BB)	1	4
GC Graham CowanAustralia	3,120,000(52 BB)	1	6
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,555,000(26 BB)	1	8
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	3,910,000(65 BB)	1	9

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/467

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 7:08:47 AM

Lucky River Saves Florencio Campomanes

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

Florencio Campomanes

After numerous small pots moved around the felt, Florencio Campomanes announced all in for his last 8 bb and was called by Jo Kyte. Campomanes needed plenty of help with K♠ 4♠ dominated by Kyte's A♥ A♠ . That help came on the river when the board ran 3♠ 6♣ 2♦ K♥ K♣ simultaneously giving everyone a shock.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,650,000(33 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	945,000(19 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:51:16 AM

Another Pot For Graham Cowan

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

Graham Cowan continues to exert his presence with another pile of chips added to his stack. From utg, he opened 105,000 and was called by the blinds Jon Kyte and Florencio Campomanes. All three checked to the turn 9♣ Q♣ 2♠ 4♥ . Campomanes took a stab for 150,000 and only Cowan gave action to head to the river A♣ . This slowed Campomanes to a check, Cowan banged out 315,000, Campomanes tossed his hand in the muck.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	3,400,000(68 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,455,000(49 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	550,000(11 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:47:58 AM

Graham Cowan Muscles Jon Kyte

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

Graham Cowan

Two hands after sending John Carlo Sayo to the rail, hijack Jon Kyte opened 100,000 only to be challenged with a three-bet of 300,000 by button Graham Cowan. Kyte made the call and the flop was dealt 9♠ 6♣ 2♥ . Cowan continued for 250,000 and won the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	3,180,000(64 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,200,000(44 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:45:48 AM

John Carlo Sayo Eliminated In 7th Place - PHP 609,000 /~$10,475

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

John Carlo Sayo - 7th Place

John Carlo Sayo entered the day with just 10 bb and managed to ladder up on a lucky double up. However, his run would not extend past 7th place. Sayo went all in for his last 3 bb and proceeded to lose the flip against Jon Kyte.

Player	Hand	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	A♣7♣ D	2,500,000(50 BB)
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	3♥3♠ CO	busted

Board:4♣K♠4♠7♦Q♦

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:36:28 AM

Kim Enriquez Earns For His Flush

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

Kim Enriquez

Folded around to the button Graham Cowan who looks down at T♦ 7♦ and raises 105,000. Two spots over, Cowan is denied the steal by big blind Kim Enriquez who wans to play with his Q♣ 7♣. At the flop 4♣ 7♠ J♣ , Cowan pairs up and bets 85,000, Enriquez with the flush draw sticks with him. On the turn 5♣ , Enriquez lands it and checks, Cowan checks back for a free river 4♥ . No more checking, Enriquez slides out 200,000, Cowan calls then immediately mucks.

Player	Chips
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	3,300,000(66 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,730,000(55 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:34:01 AM

Jon Kyte Chipping Up

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

Jon Kyte

Jon Kyte is back on the winning beat with three pots collected. The first two were small ones, getting a second walk and stealing the big blind and ante. The third one was more significant. From cutoff, Kyte opened 100,000 and big blind Ju Won Chung defended. Kyte fired away at the flop and turn J♦ 5♦ 2♠ 8♣ for 150,000 amd 390,000, Chung check called. On the river 2♦ , both checked. Kyte claimed the pot with top pair.

Player	Hand	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	K♥J♠ CO	2,600,000(52 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	7♣7♦ BB	1,625,000(33 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:24:47 AM

Alexis Lim Drains More From Jon Kyte

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

Alexis Lim

Since his fiery start, Jon Kyte has been on a downswing to drop to nearly half of his opening stack. His latest loss was against Alexis Lim who defended from the big blind with A♠ 5♥ . When the board completed Q♦ K♠ 5♠ J♠ 8♣ , Lim check-called 150,000 and 250,000 for his bottom pair nut draw, then both checked the river. Bottom pair was good enough.

Player	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,775,000(56 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	1,600,000(32 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:18:28 AM

Alvir Inocentes Rivered Into 8th Place - PHP 469,000 /~$8,070

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

Alvir Inocentes - 8th Place

Alvir Inocentes entered the day with just 12 bb and could not find a break. On Hand #30, he sent his last 80,000 (<2 bb) and nearly doubled up until the river decimated his hopes.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	K♠7♥ BB	2,240,000(45 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	K♦8♦ D	busted

Board:4♣Q♦J♠T♠7♣

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/467

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:14:18 AM

Graham Cowan Has It

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

Graham Cowan

Sitting on utg+1, Graham Cowan was dealt K♣ T♠ and raised it to 85,000. Next to act Ju Won Chung looked down at A♦ Q♣ and three-bet o 180,000. Cowan took on the challenge and the flop ran 4♦ 2♣ K♦ . Chung continued for 110,000 and Cowan check-called his top pair. Both checked the turn 3♠ to lead to the river 5♣ . Cowan took the reins a 200,000 bet, Chung snap-called then mucked as Cowan revealed his hand.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	3,150,000(79 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	2,110,000(53 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:09:25 AM

Back To Back Wins For Florencio Campomanes

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

Florencio Campomanes

On Hand #25 and #26, Florencio Campomanes picked up back to back pots, both of them against Jon Kyte. First hand, utg Kyte raised 85,000, utg+1 Campomanes' re-raised 300,000, everyone folded including Kyte.

Next hand, utg Campomanes opened 80,000 and Kyte defended his big blind. Campomanes continued the aggression on the flop A♦ 6♠ 2♥ with a 105,000 bet, Kyte check-called. On the turn 3♦ , Campomanes barreled a larger 325,000, and after a minute, he won the pot with Kyte folding.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,120,000(53 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	855,000(21 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:04:46 AM

John Carlo Sayo Gets Lucky

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

John Carlo Sayo

With only 5 bb left, John Carlo Sayo went all in and got called by Kim Enriquez who had a better kicker. At the runout, Sayo lucked out with a pair for renewed life.

Player	Hand	Chips
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	A♥9♣ UTG	500,000(13 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	A♠T♥ SB	2,960,000(74 BB)

Board:6♥9♥5♣3♣7♣

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 6:01:45 AM

Mark Almusajin Eliminated In 9th Place - PHP 365,000 / ~$6,280

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

Mark Almusajin - 9th Place

First casualty of the final table at Hand #23. Flight A leader Mark Almusajin three-bet all in his last 475,000 (11 bb) and was ahead of caller Graham Cowan. However, the board favored Cowan to end Almusajin's bid in 9th place. Cowan has now taken the lead.

Player	Hand	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	A♣7♣ CO	3,700,000(93 BB)
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	A♠T♣ D	busted

Board:J♣K♣9♥9♦5♣

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:56:58 AM

Graham Cowan Takes Control From Jon Kyte

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

Graham Cowan

After losing a showdown, Jon Kyte loses a little more against Graham Cowan. From the big blind, Cowan called Kyte's 85,000 raise then check-called another 75,000 on the flop 6♠ 9♠ 3♠ . By the turn K♠ and river 5♠ , Cowan took control with bets of 75,000 and 175,000, Kyte folded on the river.

Player	Chips
GC Graham CowanAustralia	3,100,000(78 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	2,475,000(62 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:53:23 AM

Ju Won Chung Doubles Up

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

Ju Won Chung

On Hand #19, the first double up of the day was delivered with Ju Won Chung winning the flip against Jon Kyte. Before the shove, Chung opened 80,000, Kyte three-bet 210,000, Chung announced all in for 765,000 and was snap-called.

Player	Hand	Chips
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	J♣J♥ MP	1,630,000(41 BB)
JK Jon KyteNorway	A♠K♠ D	2,710,000(68 BB)

Board:8♦4♦4♥8♣2♥

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:44:50 AM

Big Stacks In The Ring

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

Kim Enriquez

Entering the final table as the top dogs, Jon Kyte and Kim Enriquez face-off. From mid position, Kyte opens his usual 85,000, Enriquez defends his big blind. Same action on the flop 6♥ J♦ 7♣ with Kyte initiating with a 125,000 bet and Enriquez defending. Both check the turn 4♥ . On the river 6♠ , Enriquez leads out 250,000 to send Kyte tanking for one time bank. Kyte gives it up.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	3,410,000(85 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	3,200,000(80 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:39:32 AM

Alexis Lim Builds And Earns

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

Alexis Lim

From utg+1, Alexis Lim opens 80,000 and big blind Ju Won Chung wants to play. Flop comes 5♥ A♦ K♠ , Lim fuels in another 40,000 and Chung matches it. Both players tighten up on the turn K♥ with no bets but on the river 5♣ it's back to action. Chung opens 70,000, Lim raises 195,000, Chung folds.

Player	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,380,000(60 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	620,000(16 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:32:41 AM

Jon Kyte Continues To Dominate

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

Small pot for Jon Kyte on Hand #8 who gets the first walk of the day then a much larger pot for the leader on Hand #9.

From hijack, Kim Enriquez opens 80,000 and is called by the blinds Kyte and Florencio Campomanes. All three check the flop T♦ 8♥ 5♦ and head to the turn K♣ . No more checking as Kyte leads out 180,000. He finds no callers to win the pot easy.

On Hand #10, Kyte bumps it up to 80,000 from the button and big blind Graham Cowan defends but not before tanking for two time banks. At the flop 7♥ 9♦ 2♠ , Kyte continues for 175,000, Cowan gives up his hand.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	3,460,000(87 BB)
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	2,835,000(71 BB)
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,805,000(70 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	620,000(16 BB)
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	310,000(8 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:24:29 AM

Jon Kyte Gets Shoved Twice

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

Florencio Campomanes

Chip leader Jon Kyte initiated the action on the next three hands. On Hand #5 he opened 85,000 and for the second time, he claimed the blinds and antes.

Immediately after, he opened 85,000 again on Hand #6, Florencio Campomanes shoved 515,000, Kyte folded.

Continuing to pressure the competition, on Hand #7, Kyte opened 85,000 for the third time, cutoff Ju Won Chong answered with a 200,000 re-raise, Kyte called, and the flop came T♥ Q♠ A♠ . Kyte checks, Chung shoved, Kyte surrendered his hand.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	3,130,000(78 BB)
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	1,055,000(26 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	700,000(18 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:13:28 AM

Chip Leader Open Shoves First Hand

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

Jon Kyte

First hand of the day sees action fold to the button and chip leader Jon Kyte. He shoves and successfully steals the blinds and antes.

Player	Chips
JK Jon KyteNorway	3,315,000(83 BB)
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	595,000(15 BB)
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	385,000(10 BB)

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 5:11:59 AM

Cards In The Air! Final 9 Underway

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

After a brief introduction of the finalists, it's shuffle up and deal!

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/467

TriciaTricia

1/27/2025, 2:41:50 AM

Manila Megastack 21 Main Event Champion To Be Crowned Today

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

The 2025 PokerStars LIVE season opener Manila Megastack 21 is on its final day at world-class Okada Manila in the Philippines. Excitement is at its peak with the newest Main Event champion set to be crowned today. Only 9 players remain out of the 467 entries.

Leading the charge is Norwegian pro Jon Kyte with a stack of 80 bb. Kyte boasts a resume filled with titles and cashes all over Europe including final table finishes at numerous EPT Main Events. He also has two WSOP Circuit rings and just missed a bracelet last year. Kyte is already guaranteed his first cash on Asian soil, and if he takes it to the limit, he will become the second Manila Megastack Norwegian champion following MM 18 winner Henrik Tollefsen.

On the local side, six Filipinos dominate the lineup, thus assuring a crowd of spectators cheering on their favorites. At the top of that list is Kim Enriquez with a stack of 75 bb. Wedged in the lower end is the highly decorated Florencio Campomanes with 15 bb.

The finalists are secured a payout of PHP 365,000 (~$6,280). The biggest slice of PHP 3,900,000 (~$67,090) is up for grabs. Cards start at 1pm. Blinds begin at 20,000-40,000 ante 40,000 with increases every 60 minutes.

Somuchpoker is onsite to bring you all the action.

Main Event - Final 9 players

Final 9 Players

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	2,265,000(57 BB)	1	1
JC John Carlo SayoPhilippines	410,000(10 BB)	1	2
JK Jon KyteNorway	3,215,000(80 BB)	1	3
FC Florencio CampomanesPhilippines	615,000(15 BB)	1	4
AI Alvir InocentesPhilippines	465,000(12 BB)	1	5
GC Graham CowanAustralia	2,625,000(66 BB)	1	6
MA Mark AlmusajinPhilippines	520,000(13 BB)	1	7
JW Ju Won ChungSouth Korea	755,000(19 BB)	1	8
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	3,025,000(76 BB)	1	9