Main Event (18,500 PHP)

Shawn Philip Benitez shoved from early position for 545,000 and Rancy Cyril Lee called from the button with a covering stack to put him at risk.

The board ran out 3♥ 2♦ 8♣ 5♣ K♠ giving Lee a pair of fives to score the first final table knockout.

Shawn Philip Benitez opened to 120,000 from under the gun, Ko Okubo three-bet to 275,000 from the button, Benitez four-bet to 600,000 and Okubo five-bet shoved for 2,305,000. Benitez called with a covering stack to put Okubo at risk in a massive pot worth nearly 5,000,000.

Okubo had the best starting hand and remained ahead on the Q♥ 8♥ 4♥ 9♦ T♥ runout to score a massive double up through Benitez who was left with 11 blinds.

Shawn Philip Benitez opened to 120,000 from the hijack, Michael Gabby Concepcion shoved for 335,000 from the button and Benitez called with a covering stack to put him at risk.

Both players had premium holdings but Concepcion was a big underdog with ace-king versus Benitez’ pocket aces. The 3♥ 9♦ 8♥ Q♦ 2♣ runout changed nothing for either player and Concepcion’s deep run came to an end in 13th place while Benitez continued his ascent.

Maurillo Bulauitan shoved from the hijack for 120,000 and Shawn Philip Benitez called from the small blind with a covering stack.

Bulauitan was in trouble against Benitez pocket kings and after finding no help on the 6♥ 7♠ 4♣ 2♣ 5♣ runout he exited the tournament area while Benitez collected the last of his chips.

Shawn Philip Benitez opened to 80,000 from under the gun, Maurillo Bulauitan shoved for 290,000 from the cutoff and Benitez called with a covering stack.

Bulauitan remained ahead with the best starting hand on the 9♠ 8♥ T♣ 8♠ 9♣ runout to double up through Benitez.

Shawn Philip Benitez opened to 65,000 from the hijack, JC Mariano shoved for 455,000 from the cutoff, Jean Paul Berdejo called with his remaining stack of 150,000 and Benitez, covering both players, made the call.

Berdejo took the lead with top pair on the 3♥ J♠ 2♥ flop and remained ahead on the 3♣ turn but the A♣ river gave Benitez the best two pair to send both opponents to the rail and surpass two million in chips.

Taeil Ahn shoved from the hijack for 285,000 and Shawn Philip Benitez called from the big blind with a covering stack to put him at risk.

Neither player connected with the 4♥ 7♥ 9♣ 4♣ 4♦ runout. Benitez' ace-kicker to the trips on the board was good at showdown and he won the pot while Ahn was eliminated and exited the tournament area.

Philip Shawn Benitez limped in from the small blind, JC Mariano raised to 70,000 from the big blind and Benitez called. The flop came 6♠ 4♠ 8♥ and Benitez check-called an 100,000 bet from Mariano.

Both players checked the 6♥ turn leading to the J♠ river. Benitez bet 200,000 and Mariano folded.

With two players seeing a board of 7♣ 3♣ 9♠ A♥ 5♥ and 106,000 in the middle Shawn Philip Benitez bet 35,000 from the hijack and JC Mariano shoved from the cutoff, covering Benitez who had around 220,000 behind. Benitez used two time banks before making the call for his tournament life.

Mariano could only show 6♣ 6♠ for a pair turned into a bluff while Benitez had a higher pair with J♣ J♠ to secure a massive double up through Mariano.

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.