Double Stack (15,000 PHP)

Indonesia’s Fendy Kosasih has captured the Double Stack title at Manila Megastack 23, rising above a 201-entry field to land the top prize of PHP 530,104 (~USD 9,060) and the coveted Spadie here at PokerStars LIVE Manila. The PHP 15,000 (~USD 340) buy-in event once again surpassed expectations, comfortably clearing its PHP 1,000,000 guarantee as the turnout built a prize pool of PHP 2,573,604 (~US$ 43,980).

Players began with a deep two-stack format, two separate 20,000-chip stacks, paired with 20-minute levels that kept the pace brisk throughout the day. Coming off last night’s strong Deepstack showing, the Double Stack continued the festival’s momentum, bringing another packed room to the luxurious Okada Manila.

For Kosasih, the win continues what has become a breakout run in 2025. All of his major live results have come in recent months, almost exclusively through APPT Manila events, including two High Roller victories: the APPT High Roller and the APPT High Roller Warm-Up. With more than $100,000 in recorded earnings and a career-best cash of $70,933, Kosasih has rapidly climbed to 12th on Indonesia’s all-time money list, cementing his status as one of the country’s rising contenders.

It took 12 hours of intense poker, but just 15 minutes to go from three-handed play to the champion. After Michael Rafn bowed out in third, boasting a very strong run, Kosasih ultimately outmaneuvered Yuhei Ando with a well-timed turn raise and river call to clinch the title.

After the win, Kosasih briefly reflected on his day at the tables. “[I've been] so lucky today, been in the same situation like four times,” he said, crediting a bit of luck for carrying him through key moments.

Early in the day, Anthony Gabitan found a double-up in a three-way clash, surviving with ace-ten against pocket jacks and ace-king to triple up, while one of his opponents also chipped up significantly. Not all contenders were so lucky, however, last night’s Deepstack runner-up Lenart Ecarma was sent home when his pocket sixes ran into En Ching Wu’s queens. Local favorite Rene Mar “Revo” David joined the field, looking to add to his impressive collection of eight 'Spadie' titles in just two years.

A massive four-way confrontation at Table 26 saw Takumi Hashimoto, Jin Yang Lim, and Earl Mendoza all eliminated, leaving Buyu Sakurai to scoop the entire pot. Sakurai had started with the weakest hand but spiked top pair on the flop and improved to two pair on the turn, cementing a huge boost to his stack and enabling him to ultimately reach 22nd place for a respectable cash.

Once registration closed, there were 117 hopefuls still in seats vying for a shot at the prize pool. It took three hours to get down to 32 players, and the unfortunate bubble boy was Ryan Platon. He ran ace-queen into Zhiqiang Liu’s ace-king, pairing nothing on the flop and seeing a king on the turn end his run, with the river doing little to change the outcome.

Kosasih spent the day steadily building his stack, and although he found himself in a tricky spot against Dorjnyam Byambadorj, who spiked a queen on the turn with his queen-seven, beating out Kosasih's king-high. The result let Byambadorj stay in the game but Kosasih didn't look back.

Kosasih chipped up when he shoved a short-stack pot against Alessandro Oppicini. Oppicini held pocket jacks, but Kosasih paired his ace and improved to two pair on the runout, scooping the pot and steadily continued this momentum towards the final table.

The final table bubble came when Younghoon Ban ran ace-queen into Rafn’s pocket queens. Ban picked up a gutshot on the flop for some hope, but the turn and river never improved his hand, sending him out in 10th place and officially setting the final table.

Oppicini was the first casualty of the final table, moving all in with nines and running into Royly Emir Oracion’s jacks. The board held, sending Oppicini out in ninth, much to the despair of a tablemate who had folded pocket eights only to see an eight on the flop.

Eighth place went to Aj Cris Acdal, whose ace-eight fell to Ando’s pocket aces. Despite some hope on the flop, the runout offered no help, and Acdal was eliminated.

Oracion then found himself in trouble against Kosasih, who shoved with ace-deuce. Kosasih paired his ace on the flop and improved on the runout, doubling through Oracion and leaving him with a dented stack.

Seventh place was Eduard Galanzovskiy, who called Ando’s shove with just three big blinds. Ando’s pocket eights held through a safe runout, sending Galanzovskiy to the rail.

Sixth place fell to Aaron Lam Weiming, who called Ando’s all-in with ace-seven. He flopped trips, but Ando caught a full house on the turn, ending Weiming’s run and leaving five players to battle for the title.

At one point, Kosasih was down to just a single big blind and moved all in against Oracion. Oracion paired his ten on the flop with top pair, but Kosasih’s queen-seven held on the turn and river, hitting a miracle queen to double up and keep his tournament hopes alive.

Fifth to third place happened in a flash, echoing the events of the Deepstack last night. After Kosasih raised, Liu three-bet shoved from the button, only to be called by both Oracion and Ando. Kosasih stepped aside, and Ando’s pocket kings held through a dry runout, sending Liu and Oracion out in a double elimination and giving Ando a massive boost.

Shortly after, Rafn moved all in from the button, and Kosasih called with queens. Rafn’s king-deuce never connected as Kosasih’s queens held through the board, sending Rafn out in third place and setting up the heads-up clash.

Kosasih began to chip back against Ando’s substantial 3:1 lead, taking control of the heads-up battle. Ando opened and fired again on the flop, which Kosasih check-called. After a quiet turn, Kosasih led out on the river, forcing Ando to fold and seizing the chip lead.

On the very next hand, the championship was crowned. Both players took it slow through the flop, but Kosasih raised the turn and Ando eventually moved all in on the river. Kosasih snap-called and hit the nut straight, leaving Ando drawing dead and securing the Double Stack title.

Fendy Kosasih claimed the Double Stack title, adding another spadie to his collection and taking home the first-place prize of PHP 530,104 (~US$ 9,060). He also secured a Manila Megastack 23 Main Event seat worth PHP 45,000. Congratulations to all the winners!

Stay tuned for the full recap of the event.

On the very next hand, the champion was decided.

Fendy Kosasih limped in, and Yuhei Ando checked to see the flop. Both players checked through the flop 7♥ 5♣ 3♠ taking it slow. On the turn 6♣ , Ando led out for 300,000, and Kosasih raised to 1,000,000. Ando used all his time banks before moving all in for 2,500,000, only for Kosasih to snap call and proudly reveal his hand.

Yuhei Ando: 3♦ 2♥

Fendy Kosasih: 9♥ 8♣

Kosasih hit the nut straight, leaving Ando drawing dead and securing the Double Stack Event. Ando finished in 2nd place.

Fendy Kosasih is starting to gain momentum and chip back against Yuhei Ando’s massive lead.

Ando opened to 600,000 and Kosasih defended. Ando fired a 450,000 c-bet on the flop K♦ 6♦ T♠ , which Kosasih check-called.

Both players checked the turn 4♥ , and on the river 6♣ , Kosasih led out for 1,000,000, forcing Ando to fold. Kosasih now holds the chip lead in the heads-up battle.

The tournament is now down to two players in the Double Stack event. Yuhei Ando holds a massive chip lead, but with the blinds already high, just a few key hands could turn the game around.

On the button, Mikael Rafn shoved for 750,000, and big blind Fendy Kosasih, with a covering stack, called.

Mikael Rafn: K♥ 2♣

Fendy Kosasih: Q♠ Q♥

Kosasih’s queens held firm as the board 7♦ 3♦ 4♠ A♠ A♦ ran clean, sending Rafn out in 3rd place.

After Fendy Kosasih raised to 500,000 from under the gun, button Zhiqiang Liu three-bet shoved and was called by both small blind Royly Emir Oracion and big blind Yuhei Ando. Kosasih got out of the way:

Royly Emir Oracion: Q♦ Q♠

Zhiqiang Liu: A♥ Q♣

Yuhei Ando: K♦ K♠

Covering stack Ando’s cowboys stayed sharp on the dry T♥ 2♦ 6♣ 4♠ 4♣ runout, securing a double elimination and giving his stack a huge boost. Play is now three-handed.

Zhiqiang Liu opened to 500,000, and small blind Fendy Kosasih jammed for 1,400,000. Liu used his entire time bank before eventually deciding to call.

Fendy Kosasih: A♣ K♦

Zhiqiang Liu: A♥ 7♦

Kosasih flopped K♣ Q♣ 6♣ top pair, putting Liu nearly drawing dead. The turn 9♣ sealed the hand as Kosasih completed the nut flush, claiming a massive pot and leaving Liu behind.

Under the gun Fendy Kosasih moved all in for 750,000 and was called by big blind Yuhei Ando.

Fendy Kosasih: A♠ J♣

Yuhei Ando: K♣ 9♣

Fendy's ace-high held on the non-clubworthy board of 4♠ 8♥ 2♦ Q♥ 8♦, securing a double with ace-high.

Yuhei Ando continued his aggression, announcing all in from the hijack, and small blind Aaron Lam Weiming, left with just 200,000, called all in.

Aaron Lam Weiming: A♦ 7♦

Yuhei Ando: Q♥ Q♣

The flop A♠ A♣ 2♣ looked promising for Weiming as he hit trips, leaving Ando with just two outs. The turn Q♠ brought one of those outs, giving Ando a full house. The river 3♣ didn’t help Weiming, and he was eliminated in 6th place.

Small blind Royly Emir Oracion moved all in for 810,000 and was called by table chip leader Yuhei Ando.

Royly Emir Oracion: J♣ T♣

Yuhei Ando: A♥ 5♠

Ando’s ace held on the 8♠ 7♥ 2♠ flop, but still gave Oracion plenty of outs to work with. The T♠ turn brought one, and the 2♣ river secured his double.

Yuhei Ando opened to 320,000, and Mikael Rafn quickly defended his small blind. On the flop K♣ J♥ 5♥ , Ando fired a 275,000 c-bet, which Rafn check-called.

On the turn 3♠ , Rafn checked again but folded immediately after Ando announced a 475,000 bet, giving Ando the pot without a showdown.

Button Aaron Lam Weiming moved all in for 950,000 and was called by small blind Zhiqiang Liu.

Weiming showed his ace first, confirming Liu also held one, before proudly revealing the full hand:

Zhiqiang Liu: A♣ T♥

Aaron Lam Weiming: A♠ Q♦

Liu found the flop he needed to stay alive as 5♠ 4♣ T♠ rolled off. The K♦ turn gave Weiming more outs, but the T♣ river only strengthened Liu further for a full double, leaving Weiming with around two big blinds to work with.

Yuhei Ando opened to 250,000, and on his left Fendy Kosasih snap-called all in for the same amount. Big blind Zhiqiang Liu then announced all in for 1,260,000. Ando tanked before laying his hand down.

Fendy Kosasih: Q♦ Q♠

Zhiqiang Liu: A♦ J♠

Kosasih flopped Q♥ 3♦ 3♣ a full house, securing a massive advantage. The turn 9♥ sealed the deal, and the river 4♠ was just a formality, giving Kosasih a huge triple up.

Mikael Rafn opened to 250,000 from middle position and was called by cutoff Zhiqiang Liu. Big blind Fendy Kosasih then three-bet shoved, and both Rafn and Liu made the call, with Rafn at risk:

Mikael Rafn: J♠ J♣

Fendy Kosasih: A♥ K♦

Zhiqiang Liu: 9♥ 9♣

"It's alright, I'll pop a jack," Rafn said after seeing Kosasih's overcards.

And pop a jack he did. The J♥ 7♠ Q♣ flop gave Rafn middle set, but his worst nightmare materialised when Kosasih’s straight draw connected on the T♥ turn, rocketing him ahead. Rafn could only hope for a full house or quads on the river to keep him in the game.

The dealer flicked over the 7♦, giving him the boat he needed and securing a triple through both opponents.

Folded to the button, Yuhei Ando shoved to apply pressure. In the big blind, Eduard Galanzovskiy had just 300,000, about three big blinds, and decided to call for his tournament life.

Eduard Galanzovskiy: 5♦ 3♣

Yuhei Ando: 8♣ 8♦

It was a smooth runout T♦ 6♦ A♣ K♣ T♠ for Ando as his eights held strong, sending Galanzovskiy out in 7th place. After the hand, Galanzovskiy explained that with his stack size, there was simply no way he could fold and be left with just one big blind.

Button Royly Emir Oracion raised to 200,000, then called Fendy Kosasih's three-bet shove for 550,000:

Fendy Kosasih: A♦ 2♥

Royly Emir Oracion: K♠ T♣

Kosasih paired his ace on the 5♠ A♥ 7♣ flop, denting Oracion’s stack, and the 3♠ J♥ runout secured the double for Kosasih.

Down to his last 305,000, Aj Cris Acdal moved all in and Yuhei Ando made the call to put him at risk.

Aj Cris Acdal: A♥ 8♠

Yuhei Ando: A♣ A♦

The table reacted as Ando revealed the monster. The board Q♠ J♣ 3♥ A♠ 7♠ ran clean, offering no help to Acdal, and he was eliminated in 8th place.

Alessandro Oppicini moved all in from the cutoff for 500,000, and button Royly Emir Oracion called with the covering stack:

Alessandro Oppicini: T♥ T♠

Royly Emir Oracion: J♥ J♣

The board ran clean for Oracion's jacks with 8♦ A♦ A♣ 5♠ 9♠, sending Oppicini out in ninth. A tablemate admitted to folding pocket eights, much to their distress.

UTG +1 Royly Emir Oracion open shoved for 395,000, and countryman Aj Cris Acdal called from the big blind.

Royly Emir Oracion: 4♥ 4♣

Aj Cris Acdal: A♠ T♥

It was a classic flip for Oracion’s tournament life, and his pocket fours stayed steady on a clean runout 8♥ 6♥ 7♠ 5♠ 2♥ to secure the double up.

UTG Mikael Rafn opened to 100,000 and immediately snap called when Younghoon Ban 3-bet shoved for around 420,000 from the big blind.

Younghoon Ban: A♦ Q♠

Mikael Rafn: Q♣ Q♦

Ban was down to three clean outs but picked up a gutshot on the flop K♥ J♦ 3♠ to add some hope. The turn 8♣ and river 2♣ never arrived for him, though, and Rafn’s queens held firm to score the knockout. Ban exited in 10th place, and the final table was officially set.

The final table bubble is currently playing out in the Deepstack event; a short while ago, a lucky chop saved Cris Acdal in an earlier hand when both players held ace-three, and Alessandro Oppicini shoved on a 9♦ 8♦ 4♥ flop with 5♥ 4♦, revealing his hand after both opponents folded. The tension is building toward what will certainly be a dramatic burst, sending the field to the final table.

Action was joined in a pot with 240,000 in it, and a flop reading A♠ 8♥ 2♦. Small blind and short stack Fendy Kosasih shoved, and button Alessandro Oppicini counted out the call.

The dealer instructed them to show, and Oppicini tabled J♥ J♣, while Kosasih had the ace up his sleeve (not literally) with A♦ 5♦, improving to two pair on the 5♥ 4♦ runout.

Facing an early-position raise, Younghoon Ban 3-bet shoved for 395,000. In the big blind, Kazuha Tsuruta joined the party for his 320,000 total, and the initial raiser got out of the way.

Kazuha Tsuruta: 7♣ 7♥

Younghoon Ban: A♥ K♥

Tsuruta looked primed for a double after the flop Q♣ 6♦ 4♦ kept his sevens in front, but the turn A♦ brought disaster as Ban paired his ace. The river 8♠ offered no help, sending Tsuruta out in 11th place.

Cutoff Kazuha Tsuruta opened to 80,000 and made the call after big blind Aj Cris Acdal moved all in for 215,000.

Kazuha Tsuruta: 2♥ 2♣

Aj Cris Acdal: A♠ A♥

Acdal’s aces stayed firm against the pocket deuces as the board J♣ T♥ 9♣ 9♦ 8♥ ran clean. The rockets delivered the full double and Acdal climbed right back into the mix.

Cutoff Dorjnyam Byambadorj shoved for his last 110,000, and small blind Fendy Kosasih called, looking to take him out.

Dorjnyam Byambadorj: Q♠ 7♥

Fendy Kosasih: K♥ 7♦

Byambadorj looked like the latest elimination as the 4♠ 9♣ 6♣ flop rolled off, but the Q♦ turn quickly shifted the rhythm, with Kosasih now needing a king to avoid losing a big chunk of chips. The 8♣ river brought no help, and Byambadorj was awarded the double.

I caught up with Joseph Magnotti and he happily shared what he called one of his lucky hands of the tournament.

It was all in preflop between Magnotti and Karen Talamayan, who had the covering stack.

Joseph Magnotti: K♠ J♣

Karen Talamayan: A♦ 7♥

Talamayan flopped A♥ 7♦ 6♣ two pair and looked firmly in control, but Magnotti spiked a pair on the turn K♦ and another on the river K♥ to complete a runner runner trips. The dramatic comeback doubled up Magnotti and left Talamayan crippled, eventually leading to her elimination later on.

Folded to the button, the lone female in the field, Karen Talamayan, opened to 50,000. To her left, Pradeep Singh announced all in. Action folded back to Talamayan who shouted "Gamble, Gamble!" before making the call.

Karen Talamayan: K♠ 9♦

Pradeep Singh: A♣ Q♣

Talamayan trailed but held live cards. The flop 8♠ 7♥ 4♦ brought no help, but the turn 9♠ sparked a loud celebration as she paired up, and the river K♥ improved her to two pair, securing the double-up in style.

Button Pradeep Singh moved all in for his last 65,000, and big blind Royly Oracion called.

Pradeep Singh: K♦ 7♠

Royly Oracion: A♠ 9♣

Neither player really connected on the 8♣ 6♦ 2♥ flop, but Singh had risen from his chair as the 9♥ peeled off on the turn. No cowboy came to save him on the 9♦ river, only an improvement to trips for Oracion.

UTG Eduard Galanzovskiy opened to 50,000 and Pratik Jain defended his big blind.

On the flop A♣ 9♦ 2♦ , Jain moved all in for 100,000 and Galanzovskiy called at once.

Pratik Jain: A♠ 4♣

Eduard Galanzovskiy: A♦ K♣

Both players paired their aces but Galanzovskiy’s kicker remained best through the runout A♥ 7♦ , eliminating Jain from the field.

Hijack Karen Tamalayan moved all in for 160,000 and was called by button Joseph Magnotti:

Karen Tamalayan: K♣ K♥

Joseph Magnotti: J♣ J♥

The suits matched up, but Tamalayan held the clear lead, and the 5♣ 9♦ Q♠ Q♥ 6♠ board brought no help for Magnotti. Tamalayan secured the double, effectively swapping their stacks.

On the button, Sakurai Buyu open-shoved for 175,000, and big blind Alessandro Oppicini tank-called.

Sakurai Buyu: Q♥ T♥

Alessandro Oppicini: A♥ 2♥

The flop A♦ A♣ J♦ delivered beautifully for Oppicini, hitting trips and leaving Buyu nearly drawing dead, needing a runner-runner to survive. The turn 9♣ sealed the deal, eliminating Buyu from the tournament. After the hand, Oppicini couldn’t resist shouting “Nice Call!”, praising himself for the perfect timing.

The strongest preflop clash unfolded as UTG Rahul Rohira opened and snap-called the shove of Shota Yanagi for 238,000.

Shota Yanagi: K♣ Q♦

Rahul Rohira: A♥ A♦

Yanagi watched in pain as the flop A♣ 8♠ 5♦ delivered top set for Rohira, leaving him nearly drawing dead. The turn K♦ sealed the hand for Rohira, and the river 8♥ was just a formality, sending Yanagi out of the tournament with a min-cash.

Steven Michel moved all in from middle position for 68,000, and was called by covering stack Fendy Kosasih on the button:

Steven Michel: Q♠ T♠

Fendy Kosasih: A♣ J♥

The 9♦ 6♠ J♣ did give Kosasih top set but an open-ender for Michel, which was promptly completed on the 8♠ turn.

To add insult to injury, the K♠ river improved Michel to a flush. Kosasih was left with less than two big blinds.

Terry Gonzaga opened to 35,000, only for cutoff En Ching Wu to 3-bet shove for 240,000. Gonzaga quickly called.

En Ching Wu: A♥ Q♣

Terry Gonzaga: J♥ J♦

The flop K♠ 9♣ 2♥ and turn 6♦ looked perfect for Gonzaga, but Wu hit a miracle river Q♦ , pairing higher than Gonzaga. Gonzaga was left with just one big blind after the hand.

UTG Barrientos Lino opened and then called the shove of Mikael Rafn on the button for 61,000.

Mikael Rafn: A♥ T♠

Barrientos Lino: 6♦ 6♣

Lino looked to take down Rafn on the flop K♦ K♠ 5♣ , but the turn J♥ opened up plenty of outs for Rafn. The river J♦ proved disastrous for Lino as Rafn counterfeited his hand and scored a double up.

Siddarth Mishra limped the button, with Terry Gonzaga completing in the small blind and Takumi Asahara checking his option.

On the 2♥ Q♦ 7♥ flop, Gonzaga led for 18,000. Asahara called and Mishra stepped aside.

The 8♦ turn saw Gonzaga check-call Asahara’s 40,000 bet.

Both players checked the 9♠ river. Gonzaga showed six-seven offsuit, but Asahara’s Q♣ J♥ was good for the pot.

Folded to small blind Pradeep Singh, he shoved all in, and Joseph Magnotti called from his left for 99,000.

Joseph Magnotti: A♣ J♣

Pradeep Singh: 8♣ 8♠

The flop T♦ 6♦ 5♥ looked safe for Singh, who hoped to eliminate Magnotti, but the turn J♦ delivered a higher pair for Magnotti. He held through the river 6♣ to secure a clean double up, staying alive in the tournament.

Zhiqiang Liu opened for 25,000 from early position and was three-bet shoved for around 90,000 by Ryan Platon. After all remaining hands had been completed, the floor asked the players to reveal their hands, to see if Platon would be out on the first hand of the bubble:

Ryan Platon: A♣ Q♠

Zhiqiang Liu: A♠ K♥

Platon was immediately out of his seat at the sight of Liu's hand, knowing he'd need a mighty bit of luck to get through unscathed.

The 9♥ 7♦ K♦ flop didn't bode well; neither did the K♠ turn, which sealed Platon's elimination, with the 5♠ river card being just a formality.

The tournament has officially reached bubble time with 32 players remaining. Only 31 will cash, and with just four tables left, the action will now proceed hand-for-hand as players battle to make the money.

A preflop all-in unfolded on Table 23 as Jiego Erquiaga shoved for 119,000, covered by Mikael Rafn.

Jiego Erquiaga: K♣ K♦

Mikael Rafn: Q♦ T♥

The board 9♥ 9♦ 2♥ T♦ 3♣ ran clean, and Erquiaga’s kings held strong, earning him a big double up.

A massive preflop all-in unfolded between Kim Enriquez, all in for 175,000, and Buyu Sakurai, who had him covered.

Kim Enriquez: A♣ K♠

Buyu Sakurai: A♠ Q♦

Enriquez started as the favorite, but the flop Q♣ 8♠ 5♠ delivered a dream scenario for Sakurai, hitting one of his three outs. The turn 4♥ came, and Enriquez was left hoping for a king, but the river 2♥ didn’t help, Sakurai scooped the pot and eliminated Enriquez.

UTG+1 Patrick Soh opened for 50,000, leaving just 1,000 behind. On his left, Aaron Lam Weiming raised to 100,000, prompting Soh to shove his final chip.

Patrick Soh: A♠ 8♦

Aaron Lam Weiming: K♣ K♦

Weiming’s pocket kings held strong on the board 4♣ 9♣ 6♠ 5♥ J♣ , delivering a decisive knockout and sending Soh out of the tournament.

After folding an ace when Aaron Lam three-bet shoved over his 15,000 raise, Alessandro Oppicini was back in action, this time against Jaybee Villa.

Oppicini opened to 12,000 from middle position and Villa called from the big blind.

The 3♦ 6♦ 6d A♥ flop and turn were checked through. On the K♥ river, Oppicini fired 14,000 and Villa made a quick call, but it wasn’t good enough. Oppicini tabled A♦ T♣, prompting Villa to flash K♦ before mucking.

The tournament is moving quickly toward the money with 47 players remaining. Only 31 players will cash, and with 32 left, the action will shift to hand-for-hand play as the bubble looms large.

After getting a previous shove through, Han Seung Hyun was all in from the button against Cris Acdal in the big blind, looking to take him out:

Han Seung Hyun: A♥ Q♠

Cris Acdal: A♠ A♦

Hyun didn’t love what he saw. “Two queens,” he said to the dealer.

The board ran 6♣ 9♦ 9♥ T♥ Q♥, giving him only half of what he asked for and confirming his exit, roughly 20 spots from the money bubble.

Karen Talamayan opened from UTG+1 and found two callers. All three players checked through the flop K♠ K♦ J♥ and went to the turn K♣ . Talamayan checked again, and Ryan Platon on the button fired 15,000; Talamayan called while the third player folded.

On the river 5♦ , Talamayan checked once more but eventually tanked and folded to Platon’s 45,000 bet, giving him the pot.

It was a preflop showdown between Hana Chuong, all in for 48,500, and Heewook Yun, who had her covered.

Hana Chuong: A♣ K♣

Heewook Yun: J♦ J♥

Chuong looked for help on the board T♥ 4♦ 2♣ 7♦ 2♦ but missed completely, sending her out of the tournament. She walked away visibly disappointed, saying her table had been nothing but bad luck all day.

Cris Acdal opened to 8,000 from middle position and Kawai Katsuhito defended his big blind.

Both checked the 6♠ T♣ 7♥ flop. The 6♥ hit the turn and Katsuhito led for 13,000, with Acdal calling.

The 9♦ river rolled off and Katsuhito fired 16,500. Acdal raised to 45,000, and after a short think, Katsuhito let it go.

Christian Lortie min-raised from middle position and picked up calls from cutoff Zhi Xiang Png and big blind Jeffrey Pampalona.

On a T♥ 2♠ 6♣ flop, Pampalona shoved his last 5,500, prompting Lortie to raise to 14,000. Png called.

The K♣ landed on the turn, and Lortie moved all in for around 90,000. Png folded, and Lortie tabled A♠ J♣ against Pampalona’s 8♦ 7♥.

The Q♣ completed the board, keeping Lortie’s ace-high ahead and securing the knockout.

A massive four-way preflop clash erupted on Table 26, and only one player walked away with chips.

Shortest stack Takumi Hashimoto was all in for 16,500, followed by Jin Yang Lim for 28,500, Earl Mendoza for 71,000, and Buyu Sakurai covering them all.

Takumi Hashimoto: Q♦ Q♥

Jin Yang Lim: A♣ 9♦

Earl Mendoza: T♦ T♣

Buyu Sakurai: K♣ J♠

Despite holding the weakest starting hand, Sakurai spiked top pair on the flop J♣ 9♥ 7♣ and improved to two pair on the turn K♦ . The river 6♠ changed nothing, earning Sakurai a massive pot and eliminating all three opponents in one dramatic hand.

Takumi Asahara min-raised from middle position and then called cutoff Younghoon Ban's three-bet to 15,000.

On the J♥ K♥ 8♦ flop Asahara check-folded when Ban fired another 15,000 into the middle.

Last night’s Deepstack runner-up, Lenart Ecarma, couldn’t keep the momentum going. He shoved his remaining 21,000 from UTG, and Taiwan’s En Ching Wu reshoved behind.

Lenart Ecarma: 6♦ 6♥

En Ching Wu: Q♥ Q♣

With no six appearing on the board K♣ 8♠ A♦ 3♠ Q♠ , Ecarma was eliminated from the tournament.

A selection of names who won't be cashing in the Double Stack event, including last night's Deepstack runner-up Lenart Ecarma.

Cutoff Seungyong An open-shoved for 34,000, and big blind Mark Solsona snapped him off with a premium holding.

Seungyong An: A♦ T♠

Mark Solsona: A♠ K♥

An paired up on the board A♣ 9♥ 3♣ 6♥ 9♦ , but Solsona’s stronger kicker held firm to score the knockout.

After just sitting down, fresh from the registration desk, Royly Oracion raised to 5,000 from early position and received a call from hijack Rancy Lee.

Action checked through the 3♦ K♠ 6♠ 9♥ flop and turn to the 5♦ river, where Oracion put in 15,500. Lee responded with an effective shove for 36,000, prompting a relatively swift fold from Oracion.

A couple of hands later, Oracion raised to 4,000 from the small blind and was called by Kim Enriquez in the big.

The dealer fanned the T♦ A♣ 2♣ flop, and Oracion fired a moderate-sized bet, just enough to shake Enriquez off and reclaim some chips.

The payouts are in, and the PHP 1 Million guarantee has been smashed, with the prize pool soaring to PHP 2,573,604 (~US$ 43,980). Only 31 players will make the money, with a min-cash of PHP 24,000 (~US$ 410), but all eyes on the top prize of PHP 530,104 (~US$ 9,060). The eventual champion will also earn a PHP 45,000 Manila Megastack Main Event seat.

With 117 players still in the hunt, there’s a long road ahead before the bubble comes into view.

Andrew Xu opened to 3,000 from the button, and Koichi Nozaki defended his big blind. On the flop T♥ 9♥ 3♦ , Xu continued for 4,000, only for Nozaki to check-raise to 10,000. The action escalated quickly as Xu made it 22,000, and Nozaki instantly shoved for 48,500. Xu snap-called.

Koichi Nozaki: T♦ 2♣

Andrew Xu: Q♦ Q♥

Nozaki needed help but found none on the runout J♠ A♥ , ending his tournament. Xu scooped the pot and vaulted to the top of the leaderboard.

Hand 1

Michael Bagdasarov limped in from early position and called cutoff Roland Panny’s 5,000 raise.

The dealer fanned the T♥ Q♠ A♣ flop, and Bagdasarov checked. Panny fired 5,000, enough to take the pot.

Hand 2

Small blind Mikael Rafn called big blind Byungsung Kim’s shove on a flop showing 6♠ 4♠ 3d:

Byungsung Kim: Q♦ 3♥

Mikael Rafn: 3♣ 2♠

Rafn looked a little embarrassed, questioning whether he had to show his hand prior to calling the shove, but remained in good spirits despite being behind with a gutshot. That changed on the T♦ 5♠ runout, completing his straight and sending Kim to the rail.

Hand 3

Han Seung Hyun raised to 3,000 from early position and was called by Avi Kaplan in middle position and big blind Bagdasarov.

Bagdasarov check-called, and Kaplan folded when Hyun bet 3,500 on the J♦ 7♦ K♣ flop.

Bagdasarov check-called again on the 2♦ turn for 8,500.

The 8♦ completed the board, and both checked. Bagdasarov was surprised to see his K♠ 3♥ hold up, as Hyun mucked.

Registration is now officially closed with a strong 201-entry turnout. A total of 135 players remain in contention, all chasing their share of the massive prize pool. Payouts and ITM information will be posted once finalized. Good luck to all the players still battling for the title.

Registration for the Double Stack event will close at the start of level 11, in roughly 15 minutes. This is the final chance for hopefuls to take a shot at the ~PHP 2,300,000 prize pool. The confirmed total and payouts will be posted shortly after registration closes.

The numbers keep climbing at Manila Megastack 23 as the guarantee has officially doubled once again. With 172 total entries already logged and 122 players currently seated, the tournament room is buzzing with energy.

Cutoff Masakazu Miyamoto opened to 3,100 and small blind Barrientos Lino defended. Miyamoto fired 3,000 on the flop T♥ 7♣ 2♣ and 5,200 on the turn 4♣ , with Lino check-calling both streets.

On the river 2♠ Lino checked again, and this time Miyamoto opted to check back. Lino revealed K♥ T♣ two pair to claim the pot, while Miyamoto mucked. Lino continues to pull away from the field and is now the only player past the 200,000 mark.

In the first hand at table 30, Anthony Gabitan raised to 3,000 in early position and found three callers: Francesco Bellitti, Joseph Magnotti in middle position, and Steven Michel in the cutoff.

The dealer fanned the 7♣ Q♣ T♠ flop, and all three players first to act check-folded when Michel bet 5,000 into the middle.

In the very next hand, cutoff Albert Muir raised to 3,000, only to face a three-bet shove to 11,000 from Gabitan. Bellitti shoved behind, and Muir made the call, hoping for a double knockout:

Anthony Gabitan: A♠ T♣

Francesco Bellitti: A♣ K♠