Kickoff (16,500 PHP)

Rene Mar David defended his big blind against Edgar Asehan's 110,000 hijack open, and went to check call two streets on board 6♥ 8♥ 9♦ 2♣ . On river 9♥ , David led all-in for 530,000, tank called by Asehan with two pair 8♣ 7♥ . David showed the same hand 8♠ 7♦ for a split pot.

Mike Takayama opened utg and called off Edgar Asehan's all-in right behind for 635,000.

In for a flip, Asehan dodged a potential elimination, having landed top pair on board 8♠ 9♦ 3♦ 6♠ K♦ to survive through.

Following a five hour grind, Manila Megastack 21's opening highlight - Kickoff, is officially down to its final nine players with local runner Renato Villanueva leading the charge. Each contender is now guaranteed PHP 87,885 (~USD 1,510) in winnings, with the PHP 765,000 (~USD 13,160) top prize only a few places away. Today's winner will also take home a 2025 APPT Manila Main Event Package, valued at PHP 125,000 (~USD 2,140), along with the prestigious PokerStars spade trophy to commemorate their triumph.

Final Table Chip Counts

Remaining Payouts

Terry Gonzaga raised all-in on the small blind for 460,000 and was snap called by Edgar Asehan right behind.

Crushed against the cowboys, Gonzaga was in luck to find two aces on board 9♠ A♣ A♦ 2♠ 9♠ , keeping him in the Kickoff games.

Rey Roca flicked in his last 45,000 on the button, and was called by both players on the blinds - Edgar Asehan and Czar Ian Marcos. Board J♠ 7♦ 6♥ 3♥ 4♠ was checked to showdown, revealing Marcos' two pair for the win.

Edgar Asehan open jammed on the button and saw Lloyd Locsin tank call off for his entire 365,000.

A crucial race, Asehan managed to outflop his opponent on board 9♣ J♥ K♠ 3♥ 7♣ , shipping the 47 big blind pot his way.

Edgar Asehan defended his big blind against Alvir Inocentes' hijack open, and check called another 17,000 on flop A♦ 7♣ 4♦ . Both turn 3♣ and river 7♠ collected no more bets, revealing Asehan's 8♥ 8♣ good for the pot.

Chirag Shah opened 23,000 on the hijack and was met with an all-in from Edgar Asehan on the big blind, for 142,000 total. Shah put in the call, risking nearly his entire stack.

Dominated, Shah shot down to a single big blind after board 9♠ J♠ 2♣ K♠ Q♦ offered him no help.

Edgar Asehan opened 15,000 on the button and called Anthony Castro's all-in for 63,000 total.

Up for a flip, board 8♥ 3♠ 4♠ Q♣ 9♦ landed Castro's way, earning him more room to maneuver across the last few levels.

With 29 players left holding on to their seats, that means the day is about to close with 9 more eliminations to go before is reached. 20 players are set to advance to Day 2, joining yesterday's 10-survivor qualifier list.

Chip Counts

Edgar Asehan opened 8,000 utg+1 and called 21,000 more following an all-in from Ki Burm Lee.

Running a race, Asehan's suited ace kept ahead all the way through board 2♣ A♦ 6♥ 4♦ 6♣ , taking one out of the counts.

Junj Javalera opened 8,000 on the cutoff, joined by Edgar Asehan behind onto flop A♣ 4♣ 3♦ . Javalera check called a 6,000 bet from his opponent and headed to turn 2♣ . Both checked it through to river 6♠ , where Javalera check called a final 16,000.

Asehan revealed a set 6♦ 6♣ and raked in the pot.

Edgar Asehan defended his hijack open and called a 5,200 three bet from Richard Garcia on the big blind. On board 9♠ J♦ J♥ 8♥ , Garcia double barreled - 5,600 and 10,500, and was met with a jam for 18,300 on the turn. Garcia called off with Q♥ Q♣ , crushed against Asehan's trip jacks J♠ 6♠ . River 6♥ further improved Asehan to a boat, leaving Garcia down short.