Main Event (45,000 PHP)

The 21st edition of the Manila Megastack Main Event drew a total of 467 entries, holding its PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) guarantee up high. Tonight’s final flight brought in 77 additional entries, with only 12 players managing to survive and secure a spot into Day 2. Each returning contender is now guaranteed a min cash of PHP 73,000 (~USD 1,250), backed with a fighting chance to claim this season's PHP 3,900,000 (~USD 66,830) top prize.

Running on lightning speed, Joshua Cuevas capped Flight D with the lead, bringing in a smashing 432,000 chip count onto the next round. Cuevas inched over the top spot by the last few levels of play, and stands to be in third position across the overall Day 2 order. Joining him on the list is Netherlands' Joris Michl who finished with 254,000, after sending Renato Villanueva to the rail as the flight’s bubble.

Other local crushers advancing through include Edgar Asehan (240,000), Eman Segismundo (179,000), and Edwin Dela Cruz (152,000).

Play resumes at 13:00 on Sunday, January 26, with 40-minute blind levels running throughout, as the field plays down to the final table. Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

Manila Megastack 21 Main Event

Date/s: January 23-27, 2025

Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 770)

Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)

Entries: 467

Prize pool: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705)

ITM: 71 places

Flight A: 83 entries, 13 qualified

Flight B: 101 entries, 15 qualified

Flight C: 206 entries, 31 qualified

Flight D [20/15]: 77 entries, 12 qualified

Day 2: Sunday, January 26

Final Day: Monday, January 27

Edwin Dela Cruz defended his big blind against Joshua Cuevas' 23,000 cutoff open, and battled on board 6♦ 7♦ Q♠ 4♥ 5♣ . Action checked all the way down to the river, pushing Dela Cruz to lead 35,000.

Cuevas made the call with 2♥ 2♠ , and found it good against Dela Cruz's bluff J♣ 9♣ .

Jean Paul Berdejo sent out a 90,000 three bet against an early open, and saw Joshua Cuevas push behind. Initial raiser folded, leaving Berdejo to call for his last 3,000.

Berdejo in trouble, exited the arena shortly after board 3♥ 8♣ 5♥ 7♣ T♣ delivered no bad beats.

The day is close to wrapping up with only 15 players out of the 77-entry field left standing. Three more eliminations are due before the runners reach for bags with 12 players advancing through to Day 2.

Chip Counts

Joshua Cuevas opened 12,000 on the hijack and saw Anthony Castro on the small blind, come along on flop 3♣ 8♥ Q♥ . Cuevas continued for 17,000, and called 27,000 more following a check jam from his opponent.

Anthony Castro K♦ K♣

Joshua Cuevas A♥ 9♥

Runout 6♣ A♦ tabled no hearts, but offered Cuevas a pair of aces, just enough to crack Castro's kings by the river.

Anthony Castro pushed all-in for his last 28,000 on the hijack and was looked up by Joshua Cuevas on the small blind.

Castro ahead, locked in the win after board 8♣ 8♦ 6♥ J♣ K♠ felted no aces.