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.

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

Rene Mar David opened 100,000 on the cutoff, and called 120,000 more following an all-in from Paul Coles behind.

In for a flip, board 2♥ 6♦ 3♦ A♦ 2♣ felted none of Coles's overcards, knocking him out as the final table bubble.

Paul Coles opened on the cutoff and called Rene Mar David's 430,000 all-in from the big blind.

Dominated, Coles booked the loss as board A♦ Q♦ T♣ 5♣ 7♠ turned up on the felt.

Ho Tai Tsai limped in on the button and saw both blinds come along on flop Q♥ K♥ 8♠ . All three checked round to turn A♣ , where Tsai bet 30,000. Rene Mar David check called, and arrived at showdown shortly after no bets went in on river K♣ .

David showed a busted flush draw J♥ 9♥ , leaving Tsai's pair of queens Q♠ 6♣ good for the pot.

Ho Tai Tsai limp called a 75,000 raise utg against Rene Mar David, and went on to lead all-in for 430,000 on flop 3♦ 2♥ 9♥ . David threw in the fold, giving up the pot.

Hochung Song pushed for his last 245,000 on the hijack and saw Rene Mar David on the big blind, rise to the challenge.

Song at risk, outran his opponent on board 9♠ 2♥ Q♥ J♣ 9♠ , shipping a full double up his way.

Rene Mar David opened 55,000 on the cutoff and was met with a 175,000 three bet from Renato Villanueva a seat after. David gave it some thought but eventually opted out, shipping Villanueva the boost.

Rene Mar David opened 55,000 utg+1 and was joined by Jeoffrey Sibal on the small blind. Action on flop 8♦ 5♠ 8♠ was checked round to turn 2♥ , where Sibal led 75,000. David called behind, and went to bet a final 150,000 on river Q♦ . Sibal paid the price, only to muck as David showed a boat 5♦ 5♣ .

Rene Mar David has had a good start to his day, from a starting stack of 95,000, has since quadrupled up his count to over 40 big blinds. David's first double came by the hands of Czar Ian Marcos, and has carried on this momentum to now sit comfortably amongst the big stacks.

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

Following an open and a call, Rene Mar David squeezed all-in on the small blind and saw initial raiser Roland Ferrer call off for his entire 21,500.

Dominated, Ferrer bowed out shortly after board 4♦ 9♣ 7♥ 3♣ T♥ rolled on the felt.

Jia Jason Tan opened 2,500 utg, and went on to jam his entire 25,400 against Rene Mar David's big blind raise. David called off, and easily scooped it all after board T♠ J♥ 2♥ 6♥ K♦ left him with a slam dunk win.

Rene Mar David defended his button open and called a 7,000 three bet from Toshiki Sugio on the small blind. On flop 9♠ 7♦ 9♦ , Sugio continued for 6,000, enough to get David out of the way.