Main Event (18,500 PHP)

After just over 30 levels of play, Emmanuel Florendo overcame a field of 705 entrants to be crowned the Manila Super Series 21 Main Event champion here at Okada Manila, Philippines. Not only was this Florendo's career first title, it was also his largest career payout of ₱2,066,078 (~$35,238). Along with the cash prize, Florendo received an APPT Main Event package worth ₱125,000.

Florendo came into the final table second in chips, just a fraction behind Ko Okubo who came runner up. Florendo was propelled towards his win by a big pot at the final table against start-of-day chip leader Rancy Cyril Lee in a hand where both players had a straight. He also knocked out five players at the final table. In a post win interview with the champ, he shared some thoughts:

How does it feel winning the main event?

It's my first time winning the main event so I'm very happy. I played a lot of tournaments but this is the first time that I had good run and winning a trophy.

Who was your toughest opponent and why?

It was Dave Spade for sure because he is a good player. At first he played very aggressive and there are certain moves or actions that I don't expect from him.

Were you relieved when Dave busted out?

Yes, because he's a threat for me and when he was out I felt could outplay Okubo at heads up.

What was your strategy at the final table?

I played tight and aggressive and when I have a good hands i always raise and always fight.

In your winning hand, what made you call his all in?

I have a pair of Eights and I put him at flush draw so I called.

A great run indeed for Florendo. Congratulations to the champion!

Main Event

Buy in: ₱20,000 (~$340)

Guarantee: ₱10,000,000 (~$170,560)

Entries: 705

Prize pool: ₱10,936,078 (~$186,500)

ITM: 105 players

*Players from 2nd to 9th also received a Super Qualifier Entry ticket worth ₱9,000.

Event Recap

The final day of the Main Event opened with 105 players back on the grind in pursuit of the title. Flight B leader Rancy Lee waltzed in with a towering advantage and navigated into the final table running third in chips. After he knocked out Shawn Benitez in 9th place, Emanuel Florendo took charge busting out Alex Gelev (8th) and Lenart Ecarma (7th).

Backed by an substantial lead, Florendo was unstoppable and was never in danger of elimination, that is, until David Erquiaga eliminated Lemmor Patulot (5th) to overtake. However It didn't take long for Florendo to regain command, railing Jason Ambata in 4th place. He then chunked Erquiaga who then fell to Ko Okubo in 3rd place.

At heads up, despite Florendo's lead, the players were still deep at 85 bb against 45 bb. However Okuba could not dent the big stack, instead saw his end continuously drain out. Okubo took a final stand with a flush draw that missed against Florendo's pocket Eights.

Florendo joins the list of champions hat includes Jason Magbanua (89th) and two-time winner Joemark Vasay (92nd).

Emanuel Florendo opened to 380,000 from the button and Ko Okubo defended from the big blind. The flop came 4♥ 9♠ 2♠ and Okubo checked. Florendo bet 600,000, Okubo shoved for 5,910,000 and Florendo called with a covering stack.

Okubo had an open-ended straight draw while Florendo was ahead with a pair of eights. The J♣ turn and 7♥ river were clean for Florendo and he took down the final pot of the tournament.

Ko Okubo limped in from the button, Emanuel Florendo raised to 360,000 from the big blind, Okubo three-bet to 850,000 from the button, Florendo four-bet shoved for Okubo folded.

Ko Okubo opened to 380,000 from the button and Emanuel Florendo called from the big blind. The flop came 8♣ 8♥ 9♣ and Florendo check-called a 275,000 bet from Okubo.

Both players checked the 4♠ turn leading to the 2♣ river. Florendo shoved and Okubo folded.

Ko Okubo limped in from the button and Emanuel Florendo checked from the big blind. The flop came 9♦ 9♥ 4♦ and both players checked leading to the 6♥ turn. Florendo bet 350,000 and Okubo called.

Florendo continued for 900,000 on the as river and Okubo called again. Florendo was bluffing with 7♥ 3♠ while Okubo had rivered top pair with A♣ J♣ to win the pot.

Emanuel Florendo limped in from the button, Ko Okubo raised to 650,000 from the big blind and Florendo called. The flop came 7♠ 2♦ 8♠ and Okubo bet 550,000. Florendo made the call.

Okubo continued for 1,00,000 on the 4♦ turn and Florendo moved all in with a covering stack, forcing a fold from his opponent.

Ko Okubo opened to 300,00 from the button and Emanuel Florendo called from the big blind. The flop came A♦ 5♥ A♠ and Florendo bet 350,000. Okubo raised to 1,200,000 and Florendo called.

Both players checked the K♦ turn leading to the 6♣ river. Florendo check-folded to a 1,400,000 bet from Okubo.

Ko Okubo shoved for 2,325,000 from the button and Emanuel Florendo called from the big blind with a covering stack.

The board ran out 3♦ 8♠ 5♦ Q♠ 5♠ giving Okubo a flush for the double up.

David Erquiaga limped in from the small blind and Emanuel Florendo checked from the big blind.

The flop came J♣ 3♦ Q♣ and Erquiaga bet 180,000. Florendo called.

Erquiaga bet 550,000 on the T♣ turn, Florendo shoved with a covering stack and Erquiaga folded.

Emanuel Florendo limped in from the small blind and Ko Okubo checked from the big blind. The flop came A♣ 7♥ 5♠ and Okubo called a 280,000 bet from Florendo.

Florendo continued for 400,000 on the 3♥ turn and Okubo called again. On the 8♥ river Florendo bet 700,000 and Okubo made the call.

Florendo showed J♥ 7♦ for just third pair and Okubo mucked.

David Erquiaga limped in from the small blind and Emanuel Florendo checked in the big blind. The flop came 3♥ T♣ 7♦ . Erquiaga checked, Florendo bet 350,000, Erquiaga raised to 850,000 and Florendo called.

Erquiaga bet 1,000,000 on the 6♠ turn and Florendo called again. On the 4♣ river Erquiaga checked, Florendo bet 1,000,000 and Erquiaga called.

Florendo showed two pair with 4♠ 3♦ and Erquiaga mucked.

Ko Okubo opened to 225,000 from the button and Emanuel Florendo called from the big blind. The flop came J♥ 5♠ 6♥ and Okubo bet 275,000 when checked to. Florendo check-raised to 700,000 and Okubo called.

Florendo continued for 500,000 on the 6♠ turn and Okubo folded.

Ko Okubo opened to 200,000 from the button and Emanuel Florendo shoved with a covering stack from the big blind. Okubo called with his stack of 2,325,000 and was at risk.

The 2♥ Q♠ 2♠ 7♥ K♠ runout gave Okubo top two pair for the double.

Jason Ambata shoved for 1,295,000 from under the gun and Emanuel Florendo called from the button with a covering stack.

Florendo’s twos held up on the K♠ 9♠ 8♦ T♥ T♠ runout and he eliminated Ambata in fourth place.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 250,000 from the small blind and Ko Okubo defended from the big blind. The flop came 5♥ T♦ 6♣ and Florendo bet 400,000. Okubo called.

Florendo continued for 700,00 on the 8♠ turn and Okubo called again. On the 3♠ river Florendo shoved and Okubo used two time banks before folding.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 250,000 from the small blind and Ko Okubo called from the big blind. The flop came 6♣ 7♣ T♠ and Florendo fired a 300,000 continuation bet that Okubo called.

Both players the 6♦ turn leading to the K♥ river. Florendo bet 500,000 and Okubo folded.

Jason Ambata shoved for two hands in a row from the small blind and button and took down the blinds both times.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 160,000 from the cutoff and David Erquiaga defended from the big blind.

Both players checked the 6♥ A♥ T♣ flop leading to the 2♣ turn. Florendo called a 210,000 bet from Erquiaga. Both players then checked the 4♣ river.

Erquiaga showed a pair of fours with 7♦ 4♦ and Florendo mucked.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 160,000 from the small blind and Lemmor Patulot defended from the big blind. Florendo bet 175,000 on the 4♠ 7♦ J♠ flop and Patulot called.

Both players checked the T♠ turn leading to the 3♠ river. Florendo bet 200,000 and Patulot burned through one time bank before calling.

Florendo had a flush with 8♠ 8♣ but Patulot had a higher flush with K♥ Q♠ to win the pot.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 225,000 from the hijack and Rancy Cyril Lee three-bet shoved for 1,710,000 from the small blind. Emmanuel called with a covering stack to put him at risk.

Florendo had the start-of-day chip leader dominated and after neither player connected with the 3♦ T♠ 2♠ J♣ T♣ runout Lee’s deep run came to an end in sixth place while Florendo’s upward trajectory continued.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 125,000 from the cutoff and Rancy Cyril Lee called from the big blind. The flop came J♠ Q♣ 7♠ and Lee check-called a 200,000 bet from Florendo.

Lee check-called another bet from Florendo on the T♣ turn, this time for 500,000. On the K♠ river Lee checked, Florendo bet 300,000 and Lee called.

Lee had the bottom end of the straight with 9♣ 8♦ but Florendo had the top end of the straight with A♦ 9♥ to win the pot.

Rancy Cyril Lee limped in from the hijack, Emanuel Florendo raised to 120,000 from the small blind, Lemmor Patulot called from the big blind and Lee called.

All three players checked the Q♠ 5♠ 6♦ flop leading to the 5♥ turn. Florendo bet 125,000 and both opponents called. On the J♥ river Florendo checked, Patulot bet 405,000 and both opponents folded.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 120,000 from the cutoff and Rancy Cyril Lee defended from the big blind. The flop came J♥ 8♣ 9♥ and Lee check-called a 165,000 bet from Florendo.

Lee check-called a 225,000 bet from Florendo on the Q♦ turn before both players checked the 6♠ river. Florendo had top two pair with Q♥ J♦ but Lee had a straight with T♥ 4♦ to win the pot.

David Erquiaga opened to 125,000 from the hijack, Emanuel Florendo called from the button and a player in the big blind called.

All three players checked the 2♠ 6♦ 9♣ flop leading to the 2♥ turn. Action checked around to Erquiaga who bet 100,000 and only Florendo called.

On the 7♦ river Erquiaga bet 325,000 and Florendo called again after using a time bank. Erquiaga showed A♣ 7♠ for second pair and Florendo mucked.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 135,000 from early position, Lenart Ecarma three-bet shoved for 975,000 from the big blind and Florendo called with a covering stack to put Ecarma at risk.

Ecarma was ahead with only one overcard to his pocket jacks to worry about but the ace did come on the 8♥ 2♦ T♠ 6♦ A♥ runout and he was eliminated in seventh place while Florendo claimed the last of his chips.

A player from the hijack limped in, David Erquiaga called from the cutoff, Emanuel Florendo raised to 260,000 from the big blind and both opponents called.

The flop came 6♣ 9♦ 4♠ and Florendo bet 300,000. Only Erquiaga called. Florendo continued for 500,000 on the 3♠ turn and Erquiaga used a time bank before calling again.

On the 9♠ river Florendo check-folded to a 1,200,000 bet from Erquiaga.

A player from early position opened to 2,500, Rancy Cyril Lee called from middle position and Emanuel Florendo called from the big blind. The flop came 9♥ 2♥ 7♠ and Florendo bet 120,000. Only Lee called.

Florendo continued for 250,000 on the T♣ turn and after using a time bank Lee called again. On the J♣ river Florendo checked, Lee bet 500,000 and Florendo called.

Lee had missed with A♥ K♦ while Florendo had a pair of nines with A♦ 9♣ to win the pot.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 120,000 from under the gun and Alex Gelev three-bet to 360,000 from the big blind. Gelev used a time bank before calling. The flop came J♠ A♠ 3♦ and Gelev bet 380,000. Florendo shoved with a covering stack and Gelev, who had 950,000 behind, snap-called.

Gelev was in great shape to double up with top pair against Florendo’s second pair but the 4♠ J♦ runout improved Florendo to trips and he took the pot while Gelev became the second final table casualty.

Jung Whan Kim shoved for 95,000 from the hijack and received calls from Emanuel Florendo in the small blind and a player in the big blind. The flop came 2♣ J♣ 5♣ and Florendo bet 125,000, forcing out the big blind and leaving Kim at risk.

Kim only had three outs against Florendo’s pair of jacks and after failing to find an ace on the 3♥ 7♠ runout he was eliminated while Florendo took the pot.

Alex Gelev opened to 85,000 from the hijack, Emanuel Florendo three-bet to 220,000 from the small blind and Gelev called. The flop came 2♥ 8♠ T♣ and Florendo fired a 235,000 continuation bet that Gelev called.

Florendo checked the 3♣ turn and Gelev bet 480,000. Florendo shoved with a covering stack and Gelev folded.

Emanuel Florendo opened to 60,000 from the hijack, Zhifan Ye three-bet shoved for 195,000 from the button, Janno Alvarez called from the small blind and Florendo called.

The flop came 5♠ A♦ K♥ and Alvarez check-folded to a 200,000 bet from Florendo.

Zhifan Ye: 4♥ 4♦

Emanuel Florendo: K♦ 2♦

Ye was drawing to just two outs against Florendo’s pair of kings and after failing to catch a four on the Q♣ 5♣ runout he was eliminated and exited the tournament area.

With two players seeing a board of 3♦ 2♣ 4♠ 7♦ and 300,000 in the middle Emmanuel Florendo bet 100,000 from the cutoff and Ko Okubo called on the button.

Florendo checked the 4♥ turn and Okubo bet 275,000. Florendo used a time bank before calling. Okubo could only show a missed straight draw with T♥ 5♥ while Florendo had A♦ 6♠ for just ace-high to win the pot.

Jason Ambata opened to 60,000 from the hijack, Emanuel Florendo called from the cutoff, Ko Okubo three-bet to 160,000 from the button and both opponents called. Florendo bet 200,000 when checked to on the 9♥ J♣ J♥ flop and both opponents folded.

With two players seeing a board of 6♣ 7♦ 5♥ 7♣ A♠ and 429,000 in the middle Emanuel Florendo bet 150,000 from the hijack and Liberty Icao called from the button.

Florendo showed trips with K♥ 7♥ and Icao mucked.

With three players seeing a board of 4♦ Q♥ 9♦ and 123,000 in the middle Battulga Ganbold shoved for 90,000 from the small blind. Emanuel Florendo called from under the gun with a covering stack while a player on the button folded.

Both players had top pair but Florendo had his opponent dominated with the best kicker. After remaining ahead on the 3♥ 8♣ runout Florendo took the pot while Ganbold was eliminated and exited the tournament area.

Four starting flights have come and gone and now the final day is upon us for the Manila Super Series 21 ₱18,500 Main Event here at Okada Manila. The Main Event attracted 703 total entries and 107 players have managed to make it to Day 2 where all players are now in the money.

Rancy Cyril Lee comes into the day with the chip lead after finishing Flight B with a staggering 804,000. Lee well ahead of his closest competitors JC Mariano (595,000) and Flight chip leader Ko Okubo (459,000). Flight D chip leader Kazuki Hane and Nina Taisuke round out the top five with 446,000 and 437,000 respectively.

Two previous Main Event winners remain in contention, albeit with short stacks. Jason Magbanua sits at 76,000 and will be chasing his second Main Event title here in Manila while Joemark Vasay comes into the day with 53,000 and will be aiming to spin that stack up towards a historic third Main Event victory.

Somuchpoker will be on site to provide all the action from the moment cards are in the air until a winner is crowned at the end of the night.