Main Event (18,500 PHP)

The first of four starting flights has ended in the Manila Super Series ₱18,500 Main Event at Okada Manila. Flight A featured 155 entrants and by the end of the night only 24 players managed to find a bag and advance to Day 2.

David Erquiaga finished the night with the chip lead after bagging 433,000. Erquiaga is most closely followed by Patrick Wahlquist (371,000) while Alex Gelev rounds out the top three with 358,000.

There are still three more starting flights to go. Flight B takes place tomorrow at noon while Flight C takes place on February 8 at noon. Later that evening the final flight, featuring a turbo structure, will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Somuchpoker will be on sight to provide all the action throughout the Main Event.

Christian Lortie opened to 10,000 from early position and Nichols Manalo defended from the big blind. The flop came Q♣ K♥ J♦ . Manalo checked, Lortie bet 10,000, Manalo shoved for 55,000 and Lortie called with a covering stack to put Manalo at risk.

Christian Lortie: A♣ Q♥

Nichols Manalo: K♦ J♣

Lortie was behind with middle pair and a gutshot while Manalo had two pair. The 3♠ 8♥ runout changed nothing for either player and Manalo doubled through Lortie.

With two players seeing a board of 9♣ 8♥ 7♣ and 16,000 in the middle Nichols Manalo checked from the small blind and Jeffrey Ponce checked from the big blind. Manalo check-called a 5,000 bet from Ponce on the K♣ turn. On the 9♠ river Manalo check-called another bet from Ponce, this time for 10,000. Ponce showed A♣ K♠ for top pair, top kicker and Manalo’s hand hit the muck.

Nichols Manalo opened to 3,500 from under the gun and was called by Jeffrey Pamplona in the cutoff before Will Abanero three-bet shoved for 12,900 from the button. Nichols four-bet shoved with a covering stack and Pamplona, who started the hand with 39,100, made the call for his tournament life.

Will Abanero: K♠ Q♠

Jeffrey Pamplona: A♠ K♦

Nichols Manalo: T♣ T♠

The board ran out 8♠ 6♦ A♦ 4♣ 6♣ giving Pomplana two pair to drag in a massive pot while Abanero is sent to the rail.

Nichols Manalo opened to 2,500 from under the gun and Jeffrey Ponce called from early position. Jeongyeol Yu three-bet to 11,500 from the small blind and both oppoents called. The flop came J♣ T♣ 5♦. Yu shoved for 31,000 and both opponents folded.

Manalo was ahead with an overpair against Manalo’s pair of sevens. The 2♦ 6♦ runout changed nothing for either player and Manalo doubled up.