Kickoff (16,500 PHP)

Manila Megastack 21's opening highlight, Kickoff, has officially come to a close with local runner Terry Gonzaga claiming the accolades. The Filipino pro banked the biggest share of the PHP 3,985,885 (~USD 68,195) prize pool after a six-way ICM deal awarded him PHP 411,200 (~USD 7,045) in total winnings. On top of his payout, Gonzaga also takes with him the coveted PokerStars Spadie and a 2025 APPT Manila Main Event Package for next season's games.

"First win of the year, hopefully this would be the start of a lucky streak. I'm looking forward to this coming Main Event and mostly other tournaments here in Manila.", commented Gonzaga following his triumph.

Only 43 runners returned for the Final Day battle and saw nearly half the field dusted by the first break. Once the final table was set, Gonzaga was stacking amongst the top ranks, and managed to lock in several more small pots to come out with the lead once ICM deal was in discussion. International contenders Ho Tai Tsai and Masakazu Miyamoto took the first two final table eliminations, narrowing the field down to only local runners. Following Jonald Garcia's exit in 7th place, play was immediately put to a halt, capping the action entirely once the adjusted payouts were in. Each of the six walked away with at least a PHP 300,000 (~USD 5,000) score, kicking off a great start to their 2025 run.

Next on the agenda is the awaited PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,705) guaranteed Main Event, which kicks tomorrow, January 23rd at 13:00 local time. Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

Kickoff

Date/s: January 20-22, 2025

Buy-in: PHP 16,500 (~USD 285)

Guarantee: PHP 3,000,000 (~USD 51,290)

Entries: 283

Prize pool: PHP 3,985,885 (~USD 68,195)

ITM: 43 places

Flight A: 66 entries, 10 qualified

Flight B: 128 entries, 20 qualified

Flight C: 89 entries, 13 qualified

Final Table Results

Terry Gonzaga opened 110,000 utg+1 and called 145,000 more following an all-in from Masakazu Miyamoto.

Miyamoto ahead, was instantly crushed as the board 8♣ A♥ 5♥ K♥ A♠ rolled trip aces for Gonzaga to take him out.

Czar Ian Marcos opened 100,000 utg+1 and was joined behind by Terry Gonzaga. On flop A♣ T♠ T♦ , Marcos check folded after Gonzaga fired a bet of 80,000.

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 open shoved on the hijack and saw John Jay Magadan flick in his last 145,000.

Magadan at risk, exited the arena shortly after Gonzaga spiked a boat on board A♠ Q♣ 2♣ Q♥ 6♠ .

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 72,000 utg, called behind by player on the button. Terry Gonzaga on the big blind, reshoved and successfully isolated the short stack to showdown.

Roca drawing slim, turned the tables, having ran a backdoor flush on board 8♠ A♠ 5♣ K♣ Q♣ to survive through.

Terry Gonzaga defended his big blind vs Jean Paul Berdejo's open, and check called another 12,000 on flop Q♣ 9♠ 3♣ . Both players checked turn 4♥ through to river K♥ , where Gonzaga faced a final 60,000 bet from Berdejo. Gonzaga eventually found the call, yet mucked as Berdejo showed 8♥ 8♠ .

Terry Gonzaga opened to 13,000, joined by both players on the blinds onto flop K♣ 7♣ T♦ . Jess Dalipe led out a bet of 20,000, called by Gonzaga. On turn Q♠ , Dalipe checked, pushing Gonzaga to fire 30,000. Dalipe made the call, and paid a final 50,000 on river 3♠ , only to muck as Gonzaga revealed two pair K♥ Q♣ .

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

Terry Gonzaga opened utg and called Bonghyun Lee's all-in for 27,000.

Dominated, Lee lucked out on board A♣ T♣ 6♥ 2♣ 3♥ , shipping him the win with a pair of tens.

Terry Gonzaga sent out a 12,000 three bet against Justin Ong's utg open and saw the latter complete. On flop A♥ 9♠ 3♠ , Ong responded with a check raise to 35,000, called by Gonzaga onto turn K♠ . Ong checked once more, and folded shortly after Gonzaga jammed his remaining 47,500 in. Gonzaga tabled A♦ A♣ as he raked in the pot.

A three way all-in ensued with Peter Da covering both Terje Braberg (22,900) and Terry Gonzaga (10,900).

Board 7♣ 8♦ 9♥ 2♣ K♦ held through for Gonzaga's pocket pair, shipping him a full triple up. Braberg shipped the side pot and covered his losses.