Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #1

2025.02.01 - 2025.02.02Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Entries

24/159

Total Chips

4,770,000

Average

198,750

TriciaTricia

2/1/2025, 6:02:48 PM

Christian Lortie Leads Kick Off Day 2

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Christian Lortie

Action is heating up at PokerStars LIVE, Okada Manila with both qualifiers for its opening highlight, Kickoff, wrapped up. The final heat drew in a slightly bigger field of 159 entries, bumping up the final count to 283. Well over the expected turnout, PHP 3,019,610 (~USD 51,690) in total prizes are on the table, all to be awarded across tomorrow's Day 2 battle.

Twenty four more survivors joined the list across the later flight, with Canada's Christian Lortie topping the charts with a massive 540,000 (90 BB) stack. Lortie's rise to the lead came at the cost of Mike Takayama by the final hour after the latter hero called with pocket jacks against Lortie's two pair. Lortie’s late surge pushed him past Flight A chip leader James Moriles, who finished with 437,000 (73 BB), to take the overall lead. Trailing behind are seasoned locals David Erquiaga 456,000 (76 BB), and Richard Marquez 316,000 (53 BB), to round up the top three spots.

Other players to keep an eye on include Martin Gonzales 186,000 (31 BB), Renniel Galvez 176,000 (29 BB), Ashley Patterson 166,000 (28 BB), and Joseph Sia 161,000 (27 BB).

Action resumes at 12 noon this Sunday, February 2nd, with blinds set at Level 17: 3,000/ 6,000 ante 6,000. Stay tuned for more updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

Kickoff

Date/s: February 1-2, 2025

Buy-in: PHP 12,500 (~USD 215)

Guarantee: PHP 2,000,000 (~USD 34,235)

Entries: 283

Prize pool: PHP 3,019,610 (~USD 51,690)

ITM: 43 places

Flight A: 124 entries, 19 qualified

Flight B: 159 entries, 24 qualified

Day 2/ Final: Sunday, February 2

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:50:40 PM

End of Flight B - 24 Players

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Player	Chips
CL Christian LortieCanada	540,000(90 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	456,000(76 BB)
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	316,000(53 BB)
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	289,000(48 BB)
AC Anthony CastroPhilippines	285,000(48 BB)
JE Jiego ErquiagaPhilippines	278,000(46 BB)
TN Tamon NakamuraJapan	234,000(39 BB)
LT Lester TimoneraPhilippines	230,000(38 BB)
PC Peter Chung (2)United States of America	229,000(38 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	186,000(31 BB)
RG Renniel GalvezPhilippines	176,000(29 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	166,000(28 BB)
YP Yongseok Park	165,000(28 BB)
JS Joseph SiaPhilippines	161,000(27 BB)
JN June NuestroPhilippines	155,000(26 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	140,000(23 BB)
JK Jeon KihoonSouth Korea	115,000(19 BB)
MS Minsub SoSouth Korea	112,000(19 BB)
FF Florin FilipRomania	110,000(18 BB)
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	106,000(18 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	101,000(17 BB)
YJ Yonghwa JungSouth Korea	97,000(16 BB)
PX Po Xiang Jun ThomasSingapore	89,000(15 BB)
AV Andrei VavilonskiiRussia	30,000(5 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:42:43 PM

Ma Carmen Esdaile Bubbles Flight B

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Ma Carmen Esdaile

Tamon Nakamura opened 12,000 on the hijack, called by Renniel Galvez on the button. Ma Carmen Esdaile on the big blind, flicked in her last 24,000, and saw both continue to flop J♣ A♥ Q♦ . Nakamura led 23,000, leaving Galvez to quickly surrender and the two off to showdown.

Tamon Nakamura Q♥ J♥

Ma Carmen Esdaile 6♥ 6♣

Down to two outs, Esdaile headed out as the stone cold bubble shortly after missing to improve on either turn 5♠ or river 5♦ .

Player	Chips
TN Tamon NakamuraJapan	234,000(39 BB)
RG Renniel GalvezPhilippines	176,000(29 BB)
MC Ma Carmen EsdailePhilippines	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:38:04 PM

June Nuestro Shoves for the Win

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

June Nuestro

June Nuestro opened 15,000 utg+1 and was joined by two other players on flop 6♦ 4♥ J♣ . Minsub So on the small blind, led 20,000, pushing one out the pot. Nuestro on the other hand, answered with an all-in for 73,000 more and won the pot straight away.

Player	Chips
JN June NuestroPhilippines	168,000(28 BB)
MS Minsub SoSouth Korea	108,000(18 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:35:47 PM

Seonghun Jeong Takes Some Back

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Seonghun Jeong

Having just doubled up his opponent previously, Seonghun Jeong once again faced Ashley Patterson, this time for his last 50,000.

In for a flip, Jeong dodged bubble elimination, having found a pair on board Q♥ 2♦ 3♣ A♥ Q♣ .

Player	Hand	Chips
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	A♣8♣ D	115,000(19 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	6♦6♠ UTG	176,000(29 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:33:38 PM

Ashley Patterson Flops the World

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

Ashley Patterson

With a pot of 32,000 in the middle across board A♥ 2♥ T♥ 4♠ , Ashley Patterson sent out a hefty bet of 28,000, and gladly called off his remaining 60,000 after Seonghun Jeong moved all-in.

Seonghun Jeong A♠ T♠

Ashley Patterson Q♥ 8♥

Crushed against Patterson's flopped flush, Jeong took the blow after failing to catch up on river 8♠ .

Player	Chips
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	226,000(38 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	50,000(8 BB)

Level 17: 3,000 / 6,000 ante: 6,000

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 25/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:22:14 PM

Joseph Talamayan Wins Blind Battle

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Joseph Talamayan

A blind vs blind battle saw 30,000 in the middle across board 8♥ T♠ 4♣ T♥ Q♣ . Ashley Patterson checked to Joseph Talamayan, prompting him to bet 8,000. Patterson decided to raise to 40,000, only to book the loss with 2♥ 2♠ as Talamayan made the call with trip tens T♦ 6♣ .

Player	Chips
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	288,000(58 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	106,000(21 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:16:47 PM

Anthony Castro Puts Martin Gonzales to the Test

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Anthony Castro

Martin Gonzales opened 10,000 on the button and saw Anthony Castro on the small blind, come along on flop 9♥ J♠ Q♠ . Both checked it through to turn 2♠ , where Castro check raised to 40,000. Gonzales made the call, yet tank folded on river 4♥ after Castro went for a final 55,000.

Player	Chips
AC Anthony CastroPhilippines	342,000(68 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	150,000(30 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:14:00 PM

David Erquiaga Turns Up the Aggression

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

David Erquiaga

Christian Lortie opened 12,000 utg, called by Jiego Erquiaga on the button. David Erquiaga on the small blind, squeezed to 60,000, and convinced both opponents to give it up with action right on bubble time.

Player	Chips
CL Christian LortieCanada	491,000(98 BB)
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	485,000(97 BB)
JE Jiego ErquiagaPhilippines	227,000(45 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:10:23 PM

Yongseok Park Risks It All

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Ashley Patterson

With a pot of 54,000 centered around board 8♥ J♦ K♠ 4♥ , Ashley Patterson made a go for it with a bet of 40,000. Yongseok Park check jammed for 58,000 more, and showed set of jacks J♥ J♠ after Patterson slipped the fold.

Player	Chips
YP Yongseok Park	182,000(36 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	157,000(31 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:09:18 PM

Bubble Time!

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Action is right on bubble time with one more elimination to go before the flight closes. 24 players are set to advance to Day 2, each guaranteed a mincash.

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:06:20 PM

Christian Lortie Finishes Mike Takayama

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Christian Lortie

Christian Lortie opened on the cutoff and called a 45,000 three bet from Mike Takayama on the big blind. On board A♣ 2♠ 8♠ 3♠ , Takayama check called both streets - 52,000 and a final all-in for his last 79,000, with J♠ J♣ . Lortie however, smashed the board with two pair A♦ 8♦ , and eliminated Takayama just as river Q♥ hit the table.

Player	Chips
CL Christian LortieCanada	487,000(97 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 4:03:47 PM

David Erquiaga Bets to Win

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

David Erquiaga

A button vs big blind battle brewed a pot of 87,000 even before flop 3♦ 4♠ 2♣ landed on the felt. Christian Lortie led out 30,000 and was called by David Erquiaga behind. On turn 6♥ , Lortie check folded after being faced with a 60,000 bet from his opponent.

Player	Chips
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	456,000(91 BB)
CL Christian LortieCanada	303,000(61 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:58:54 PM

Christopher Pasion Triples Up

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Christopher Pasion

Sergei Korzhenko opened to 11,000, called by Martin Gonzales behind. Christopher Pasion on the small blind, sent out a three bet to 35,000, pushing Korzhenko to pad it further to 61,000. Gonzalez raised all-in, and Pasion flicked in his last 6,000. Korzhenko on the other hand, opted out, costing him a third of his stack.

Pasion at risk over a flip, landed a boat on board 6♦ 5♣ A♥ A♦ 6♠ to scoop the triple up while Gonzales claimed the side pot, cutting his losses by half.

Player	Hand	Chips
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	A♠Q♣ SB	133,000(27 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	J♥J♠ HJ	178,000(36 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia		122,000(24 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:51:44 PM

Jiego Erquiaga Bricks Runout

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

Jiego Erquiaga

With a pot of 41,000 in the middle on board 7♣ 2♣ 3♠ A♠ , Jiego Erquiaga made a bet of 25,000, and called 33,000 more following a check jam from Jeon Kihoon on the big blind.

Jeon Kihoon 7♦ 7♠

Jiego Erquiaga T♣ 9♣

Erquiaga on the lookout for a third club, found none on river 3♥ , improving Kihoon further to a full house for the double up.

Player	Chips
JE Jiego ErquiagaPhilippines	255,000(51 BB)
JK Jeon KihoonSouth Korea	157,000(31 BB)

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:37:47 PM

Chip Count Update

Level 16: 2,000 / 5,000 ante: 5,000

With 29 players left holding onto their seats, that means only five more eliminations are due before the day wraps up, with 24 survivors advancing onto Day 2. A total of 43 players are geared to cut a share of the PHP 3,019,610 (~USD 51,690) prize pool, 19 already qualified from today's initial flight.

Chip Counts

Player	Chips
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	380,000(76 BB)
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	347,000(69 BB)
JE Jiego ErquiagaPhilippines	328,000(66 BB)
CL Christian LortieCanada	287,000(57 BB)
PC Peter Chung (2)United States of America	283,000(57 BB)
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	213,000(43 BB)
TN Tamon NakamuraJapan	212,000(42 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	204,000(41 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	193,000(39 BB)
AC Anthony CastroPhilippines	193,000(39 BB)
MG Martin GonzalesPhilippines	183,000(37 BB)
LT Lester TimoneraPhilippines	182,000(36 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	180,000(36 BB)
FF Florin FilipRomania	167,000(33 BB)
RG Renniel GalvezPhilippines	156,000(31 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	135,000(27 BB)
MS Minsub SoSouth Korea	125,000(25 BB)
YP Yongseok Park	119,000(24 BB)
PX Po Xiang Jun ThomasSingapore	98,000(20 BB)
YJ Yonghwa JungSouth Korea	89,000(18 BB)
JK Jeon KihoonSouth Korea	83,500(17 BB)
AC Aj Cris AcdalPhilippines	82,000(16 BB)
JN June NuestroPhilippines	81,000(16 BB)
TG Terry GonzagaPhilippines	73,000(15 BB)
MC Ma Carmen EsdailePhilippines	73,000(15 BB)
JS Joseph SiaPhilippines	63,000(13 BB)
AV Andrei VavilonskiiRussia	59,000(12 BB)
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	56,000(11 BB)
AD Alexander DonnAustralia	55,000(11 BB)

Break

10 minutes

Remaining Players: 29/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:33:59 PM

David Erquiaga Puts On the Pressure

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

David Erquiaga

David Erquiaga opened on the hijack and was met with a 33,000 three bet from Christian Lortie on the button. Erquiaga responded with a raise to 90,000, enough to convince Lortie to give it up.

Player	Chips
DE David ErquiagaPhilippines	387,000(97 BB)
CL Christian LortieCanada	305,000(76 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:31:11 PM

Joseph Talamayan Pads It Further

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Joseph Talamayan

Joseph Talamayan opened 10,000 on the cutoff, called by player on the small blind. Yonghwa Jung on the big blind, squeezed to 29,000, and saw Talamayan make it 100,000 to go. Both opponents were left unable to continue, earning Talamayan the boost.

Player	Chips
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	221,000(55 BB)
YJ Yonghwa JungSouth Korea	97,000(24 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:25:37 PM

Christian Lortie Shoots to the Top

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Christian Lortie

Christian Lortie opened 9,000 utg, raised by Manuel Geronimo on the button to 22,000. Lortie clapped back with an all-in, and Geronimo called off for his remaining 140,000.

Flipping for nearly 90 big blinds, Lortie cleaned out his opponent shortly after spiking top pair on board 6♠ A♠ 4♣ 2♣ J♦ to take the win.

Player	Hand	Chips
CL Christian LortieCanada	A♥Q♠ UTG	363,000(91 BB)
MG Manuel GeronimoPhilippines	T♦T♣ D	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:23:13 PM

Sergei Korzhenko Shaves Some Off Christopher Pasion

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Sergei Korzhenko

Sergei Korzhenko opened 8,500 utg+1 and was called by Christopher Pasion on the button. Action on board 8♥ Q♠ 4♦ 6♥ T♣ was checked all the way down to the river, where Korzhenko bet 15,000. Pasion made the call, and mucked after Korzhenko flipped over two pair 8♠ 6♠ .

Player	Chips
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	193,000(48 BB)
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	45,500(11 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:20:23 PM

Mike Takayama on the Rise

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

Mike Takayama

Facing an open and a button three bet from Janno Alvarez, Mike Takayama bumped it up further to 65,000 on the small blind, and called off for his remaining 23,000 after Alvarez raised all-in.

A crucial flip, Takayama quickly landed the advantage on board J♥ J♦ A♠ A♦ 4♦ , sending Alvarez' pocket pair flying towards the muck.

Player	Hand	Chips
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	A♥K♣ SB	202,000(51 BB)
JA Janno AlvarezPhilippines	9♥9♣ D	6,000(2 BB)

Level 15: 2,000 / 4,000 ante: 4,000

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 33/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:11:27 PM

Joseph Talamayan Gives Up the Fight

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Joseph Talamayan

Joseph Talamayan opened 7,000 on the cutoff and was joined by both players on the blinds onto flop A♥ J♠ 6♣ . Talamayan continued for 9,000, check called only by Seonghun Jeong. Both checked turn A♠ through to river 5♥ , where Jeong led 25,000. Talamayan surrendered, leaving Jeong to pick up the pot.

Player	Chips
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	165,000(55 BB)
SJ Seonghun JeongSouth Korea	96,000(32 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:09:44 PM

Minsub So Fades Elimination

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Minsub So

Following the loss, Minsub So open jammed 61,000 utg+1, and was looked up by Crisanto Hernandez on the small blind.

Running a race, So dodged a potential elimination, having landed two pair on board J♣ K♣ 2♠ 7♠ 5♥ to survive through.

Player	Hand	Chips
MS Minsub SoSouth Korea	K♠J♦ UTG+1	138,000(46 BB)
CH Crisanto Hernandez	A♣Q♦ SB	43,500(15 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:03:50 PM

Tamon Nakamura Recovers

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Tamon Nakamura

Tamon Nakamura shoved 50,500 from the big blind and saw Minsub So on the button rise to the challenge.

Nakamura ahead, secured the victory on board 7♣ 8♠ 6♥ 6♦ A♠ , bumping him back up to over 30 big blinds.

Player	Hand	Chips
TN Tamon NakamuraJapan	A♣K♠ BB	115,500(39 BB)
MS Minsub SoSouth Korea	K♣Q♠ D	61,000(20 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 3:00:09 PM

Martin Gonzales Takes It Down

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Martin Gonzales

A three way raised pot led by Anthony Castro saw action on flop 5♥ 8♠ 5♦ check round to turn A♠ . Castro this time, continued for 8,000, and called 10,000 more following a raise from Martin Gonzales on the big blind. On river K♠ , Castro however, decided to let it go after Gonzales asked for a final 30,000.

Player	Chips
AC Anthony CastroPhilippines	200,000(67 BB)
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	172,000(57 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:57:32 PM

Po Xiang Jun Thomas Cripples Tamon Nakamura

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Po Xiang Jun Thomas

Po Xiang Jun Thomas opened on the button, and called off for his entire 103,000 after Tamon Nakamura moved all-in.

A pocket pair clash, Nakamura's sixes were no match against Po's ladies all through board 8♦ T♥ 2♦ Q♥ 9♣ , crippling him in the process.

Player	Hand	Chips
PX Po Xiang Jun ThomasSingapore	Q♦Q♠ D	212,000(71 BB)
TN Tamon NakamuraJapan	6♦6♠ SB	9,500(3 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:54:50 PM

Pocket Pair Holds for Richard Marquez

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

Richard Marquez

Richard Marquez opened utg and went on to four bet against Yoshiki Nakamura's raise on the big blind. Nakamura committed his last 41,000 and found himself in for a flip for his tournament life.

Board 2♠ T♥ 2♦ 8♠ T♦ steered clear of Nakamura's overcards, shipping Marquez another boost to his already towering stack.

Player	Hand	Chips
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	3♦3♥ UTG	383,000(128 BB)
YN Yoshiki NakamuraJapan	A♣K♦ BB	busted

Level 14: 1,500 / 3,000 ante: 3,000

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 40/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:45:40 PM

Jiego Erquiaga Back on the Saddle

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Jiego Erquiaga

With a pot of 44,000 in the middle across board 6♣ T♦ K♥ J♥ 3♠ , three way action was checked to Janno Alvarez on the button, who gunned for a final 22,500. Jiego Erquiaga called from the big blind with a pair of jacks J♠ 7♠ , and secured the pot after Alvarez showed T♥ 9♥ .

Player	Chips
JE Jiego ErquiagaPhilippines	93,000(37 BB)
JA Janno AlvarezPhilippines	77,000(31 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:41:47 PM

Peter Chung Collects From Mike Takayama

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Peter Chung

Mike Takayama opened 6,500 utg+1 and was joined by player on the cutoff along with Peter Chung on the big blind. All three checked flop 8♠ 3♥ K♠ through to turn 5♥ , where Takayama bet 11,000. Chung check raised for 20,000 more, and barreled a final 70,000 on river 3♠ . Takayama paid the price, only to muck as Chung revealed a flush 4♠ 2♠ .

Player	Chips
PC Peter Chung (2)United States of America	320,000(128 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	113,000(45 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:40:06 PM

Mike Takayama Shoves for the Win

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Mike Takayama

With a pot of 128,000 situated around board Q♦ 3♦ 8♠ T♣ 5♥ , action was caught on Mike Takayama with a final all-in on the river. Eunji Chu on the big blind, check folded, giving up the pot to his opponent.

Player	Chips
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	217,000(87 BB)
EC Eunji ChuSouth Korea	97,000(39 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:38:12 PM

Christian Lortie Takes a Stab

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

Christian Lortie

Christian Lortie opened 6,000 utg+1, called by Mike Takayama on the button along with both players on the blinds. On flop A♦ 6♣ 6♥ , Lortie continued for 7,000, and picked up the pot straight away.

Player	Chips
CL Christian LortieCanada	336,000(134 BB)
MT Mike TakayamaPhilippines	139,000(56 BB)

Level 13: 1,000 / 2,500 ante: 2,500

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 48/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:34:11 PM

Joseph Talamayan Breaks 200K Mark

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Joseph Talamayan

With already 22,000 in the middle, Yang Kyeongho pushed his last 47,000 in on the small blind, and saw Joseph Talamayan reshove right behind. Initial raiser Eunji Chu opted out, leaving the two to showdown.

Yang in trouble, found no help on board 9♣ 2♣ J♣ A♦ 3♦ , eliminating him entirely.

Player	Hand	Chips
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	T♦T♣ BB	206,000(103 BB)
YK Yang Kyeongho	6♦6♣ SB	busted
EC Eunji ChuSouth Korea		122,000(61 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:27:08 PM

Alexander Donn Saved by the River

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Alexander Donn

Alexander Donn happily committed his remaining 46,000 with K♥ K♣ and was up against Waki Yasuhiro's A♠ T♦ for his tournament life.

Donn at risk, was left drawing slim after flop 7♠ Q♠ A♥ rolled ace-high. Runout 5♣ K♠ however, managed to peel one of his two outers, keeping him in the Kickoff games with a much bigger stack.

Player	Chips
AD Alexander DonnAustralia	97,000(49 BB)
WY Waki YasuhiroJapan	7,500(4 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:24:39 PM

Manuel Geronimo Wins Flip Against Jiego Erquiaga

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Manuel Geronimo

Following an open and two calls, Jiego Erquiaga squeezed to 22,000 on the big blind, and called for the rest after initial raiser Manuel Geronimo shoved all-in for 60,000.

In for a flip, board 8♣ 8♠ Q♥ 7♠ 5♠ landed Geronimo's way, earning him a full double up along with another run at the trophy.

Player	Hand	Chips
MG Manuel GeronimoPhilippines	A♣Q♠ UTG	131,000(66 BB)
JE Jiego ErquiagaPhilippines	9♥9♠ BB	14,000(7 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:15:46 PM

Conor Grimsley Demands for the Rest

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Conor Grimsley

Joseph Sia squeezed to 22,000 on the small blind against an utg open and a call, and saw initial raiser Conor Grimsley come back with an all-in for 64,500. Both opponents threw in the fold, shipping Grimsley the dead money in the middle.

Player	Chips
CG Conor GrimsleyUnited Kingdom	95,500(48 BB)
JS Joseph SiaPhilippines	33,500(17 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:13:38 PM

Jaegill Choi on Police Duty

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Jaegill Choi

With a pot of 35,500 centered around board 2♥ 9♣ Q♥ 2♠ T♠ , Ashley Patterson made a final attempt for it with a bet of 25,000. Jaegill Choi behind, found the call with two pair J♠ T♥ , and locked in the win as Patterson revealed a busted flush draw A♥ 5♥ .

Player	Chips
JC Jaegill ChoiSouth Korea	184,500(92 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	120,000(60 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 2:10:41 PM

Sergei Korzhenko Bags a Boost

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

Sergei Korzhenko

Sergei Korzhenko opened on the cutoff, and called off Alari Kunnapuu's all-in for 48,000 total.

A 50 big blind race, Korzhenko locked in the boost, having landed top pair on board 8♣ 5♣ T♠ K♦ 3♠ , while Kunnapuu headed for the rails.

Player	Hand	Chips
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	A♦K♠ CO	152,000(76 BB)
AK Alari KunnapuuEstonia	J♥T♥ BB	busted

Level 12: 1,000 / 2,000 ante: 2,000

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 63/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:59:07 PM

Lito Quijano Runs Right Into Rockets

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Lito Quijano

A back and forth between Lito Quijano and Martin Gonzales saw the latter put his entire 63,500 on the line preflop.

With the best hand in the deck, Gonzalez was left with no worries as board 4♦ T♥ 7♠ 2♦ 5♠ held his rockets in the lead all the way.

Player	Hand	Chips
MR Martin Rundulf GonzalesPhilippines	A♦A♥ UTG+1	131,000(87 BB)
LQ Lito QuijanoPhilippines	A♠K♦	5,000(3 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:56:06 PM

Tamon Nakamura Busts Craig Jones

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Tamon Nakamura

Craig Jones squeezed on the big blind for his remaining 28,500 and was looked up by Tamon Nakamura right beside.

In great shape, Jones was crushed to see his opponent land a pair on board 2♣ 6♥ J♦ 8♦ T♣ to deliver his bust.

Player	Hand	Chips
TN Tamon NakamuraJapan	A♥8♠ SB	77,000(51 BB)
CJ Craig JonesUnited States of America	A♣Q♣ BB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:54:00 PM

Double Barrel Works for Aj Cris Acdal

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Aj Cris Acdal

Aj Cris Acdal opened 3,000 utg and saw both players on the blinds continue to flop 9♣ A♥ 8♣ . Battulga Ganbold check called a 5,000 cbet from Acdal, yet laid it down after his opponent barreled another 20,000 on turn 2♦ .

Player	Chips
BG Battulga GanboldMongolia	215,000(143 BB)
AC Aj Cris AcdalPhilippines	130,000(87 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:52:24 PM

Easy Takedown for Janno Alvarez

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Janno Alvarez

David Ang open shoved 26,500 utg+1 and was called by Janno Alvarez on the button.

Ang in search of an ace, found none on board 2♦ 6♥ 3♥ 2♣ 8♦ , ending his run in the Kickoff games.

Player	Hand	Chips
JA Janno AlvarezPhilippines	K♥K♣ D	113,000(75 BB)
DA David AngPhilippines	A♦Q♣ UTG+1	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:48:43 PM

Hooks Hold for Ashley Patterson

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

Ashley Patterson

Andrei Vavilonskii opened 3,000 utg and was joined by both players on the blinds - Ashley Patterson and Jaegill Choi, onto flop K♥ 8♦ 7♠ . Vavilonskii continued for 3,500, check called by both to turn 5♠ . Action checked round to river 3♦ , where Choi led 7,500.

Patterson called him down with J♦ J♠ , and shipped the pot as Choi revealed pair of eights A♠ 8♣ .

Player	Chips
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	139,000(93 BB)
JC Jaegill ChoiSouth Korea	119,000(79 BB)
AV Andrei VavilonskiiRussia	40,000(27 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:33:25 PM

Kickoff Flight B Registration Closes at 159 Entries

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

That's it for this season's Manila Super Series Kickoff games with another 159 entries added onto the tally, bringing up the final count to 283! Well over the expected turnout, PHP 3,019,610 (~USD 51,690) in total prizes are on the table, all to be awarded across tomorrow's Day 2 battle.

Today's action will close once the field is down to 24 players remaining, each guaranteed a payday and a spot onto the next round.

Kickoff

Date/s: February 1-2, 2025

Buy-in: PHP 12,500 (~USD 215)

Guarantee: PHP 2,000,000 (~USD 34,235)

Entries: 283

Prize pool: PHP 3,019,610 (~USD 51,690)

ITM: 43 places

Flight A: 124 entries, 19 qualified

Flight B: 159 entries, 24 ITM

Day 2/ Final: Sunday, February 2

Level 11: 1,000 / 1,500 ante: 1,500

25 minutes

Remaining Players: 72/159

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 1:09:45 PM

Top Chip Counts

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Christian Lortie

Player	Chips
CL Christian LortieCanada	238,500(199 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	171,000(143 BB)
JT Joseph TalamayanPhilippines	142,000(118 BB)
MS Minsub SoSouth Korea	137,600(115 BB)
YN Yoshiki NakamuraJapan	127,800(107 BB)
AC Aj Cris AcdalPhilippines	123,000(103 BB)
CG Conor GrimsleyUnited Kingdom	105,000(88 BB)
JC Jaegill ChoiSouth Korea	101,700(85 BB)
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	88,300(74 BB)
PS Park SungtaeSouth Korea	87,500(73 BB)
EC Eunji ChuSouth Korea	85,000(71 BB)
YJ Yonghwa JungSouth Korea	83,200(69 BB)
CH Crisanto Hernandez	79,000(66 BB)
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	74,500(62 BB)
NR Noel RegenciaPhilippines	73,600(61 BB)
JA Janno AlvarezPhilippines	73,200(61 BB)
AP Ashley PattersonUnited Kingdom	72,000(60 BB)
BL Benigno LedinaPhilippines	70,600(59 BB)
FF Florin FilipRomania	68,000(57 BB)
CI Czar Ian MarcosPhilippines	67,700(56 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/1/2025, 12:39:49 PM

Last Chance to Enter!

After a quick four day break, PokerStars LIVE Manila is back with another fun festival - the 21st edition of the Manila Super Series - taking place at Okada Manila, Philippines. This low-stakes festival offers 33 trophy events and buy-ins of PHP 5,000 (~USD 35) to PHP 35,000 (~USD 600) across nine days of action.

Today marks the start of its first highlight on schedule, PHP 2,000,000 (~USD 34,235) guaranteed Kickoff. The series is already off to a promising start with 124 entries recorded across its first flight. This evening runs the final heat, Flight B, with similarly 25 minutes set on the clock, and play capped once ITM is reached at 15% of the field. On top of the payouts, the eventual winner will likewise take home an PHP 80,000 APPT Manila Main Event seat, while the top 8 runners pocket a PHP 9,000 APPT Super Qualifier entry.

Current prize pool is nearing the PHP 3 million mark (~USD 51,350), with registration remaining open through one more level - Level 10 @21:30. Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

Kickoff

Date/s: February 1-2, 2025

Buy-in: PHP 12,500 (~USD 215)

Guarantee: PHP 2,000,000 (~USD 34,235)

Flight A: 124 entries, 19 qualified

Flight B: Saturday, February 1

Day 2/ Final: Sunday, February 2