Kickoff (16,500 PHP)

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

Mike Takayama opened 65,000 on the hijack and called 400,000 more following an all-in from Brenton Buttigieg right behind.

Takayama in search of an ace, found one on board 8♦ 6♠ 3♥ A♠ 7♥ , enough to send Buttigieg's ladies flying towards the muck.

Mike Takayama defended his big blind against Peter Chung's 35,000 open, and headed to flop 7♣ 8♣ T♦ . Action checked round to turn Q♣ , where Takayama led 60,000. Chung called, and paid another 160,000 on river J♦ , only to muck as Takayama revealed flush 4♣ 3♣ .

Hogyun Kang defended his big blind vs Mike Takayama's 20,000 button open, and went on to battle on board T♠ 3♥ A♥ 9♠ K♦ . Takayama triple barreled - 18,000, 37,000, 80,000, and saw Kang check call all the way to showdown, only to muck as Takayama revealed top pair A♠ J♠ .

Seungjun Na raised all-in from the small blind and found Mike Takayama right behind call off for his tournament life - 124,000.

Board 6♣ 3♦ J♦ 2♠ 9♦ missed to pair either player, leaving Takayama's better ace-high good for the takedown.

MikeTakayama opened 11,000 on the hijack, and called off Joseph Magnotti's 50,000 all-in from the small blind.

Magnotti in rough shape, was left drawing dead instantly as board 9♥ 9♦ 4♣ 4♥ J♦ landed Takayama quads to deliver the bust.

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

Sergei Korzhenko opened on the hijack and called off Mike Takayama's all-in from the big blind for 21,500.

In for a flip, Takayama continued on after his opponent missed to connect with board J♥ 8♦ 3♦ 8♠ Q♥ .

Facing an utg open, Seungjun Na stuffed 26,500 on the button and saw Mike Takayama call behind. Initial raiser opted out, leaving the two to showdown.

Takayama a favorite to win, instead booked the loss as board 3♦ 4♦ 2♥ A♠ 8♥ ran ace high.

A♠ expected, the casualties after the end of the late registration kept coming rather quickly and among those to bow out was also Mike Takayama, who entered the previous level with only seven big blinds. He will, however, certainly be back for more action tomorrow and during the entire festival at Okada Manila.