Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #3

2025.06.06 - 2025.06.08Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Entries

34/227

Total Chips

5,675,000

Average

166,912

30 Seats Guaranteed

July 22, 2025

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/14/2025, 4:09:32 AM

APPT Manila Super Qualifier - 30 Seats GTD

Break

Leading up to the most anticipated event in the Philippines, the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) is offering players a rare shortcut. Running from July 20-22, 2025 at Okada Manila is the APPT Manila Super Qualifier which serves as a direct passage to the APPT Manila Main Event (₱58 Million Guaranteed) at just a fraction of the ₱80,000 buy-in. Players can now secure a seat for just ₱9,000!

Unlike traditional satellites, this is a milestone event where players earn an APPT Manila Main Event seat the moment they accumulate 100,000 chips. No waiting for bubbles and final table negotiations, just hit the target and the seat is in the bag. Additionally, there are many chances to get there with 30 seats guaranteed.

For those looking to stretch value even further, the Step 1 Qualifier offers an even cheaper path. With a buy-in of just ₱2,000, players can vie for one of ten guaranteed seats into the Super Qualifier. The format mirrors the milestone structure with 50,000 as the goal to win a seat.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 6:25:33 PM

Warm-Up Flight B Sees 34 Players Trudge on, Ireland’s Patrick Noonan Overall Chip Leader

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Patrick Noonan

With the original guaranteed prize pool surpassed at the onset, Flight B of the (Event #3) Warm-Up drew 227 entries as the new total prize pool more than doubled to PhP1,715,736 (~US$30,755). 34 survivors from this session move on to join the 27 that advanced from Flight A as the scene now shifts to Day 2 tomorrow (June 8) at Pokerstars Live here at Okada Manila.

Day 2 commences at 12:00NN (UCT+8).

The PhP780,000 (~US$13,980) was already eclipsed when cards took flight in Level 1 and it gradually swelled with the influx of additional notables such as Manila Super Series 21 Mini Main Event champion Nikolai Babushkin of Russia, China’s Qi Xia who was the Manila Super Series 18 Main Event runner-up, flag chaser Yossef Cohen of Israel as well as Filipino icons Eman Segismundo, Richard Marquez and Michael Bueza.

Many vied for the chip lead but it was Korea’s Kim Jongsu who became the first massive chip leader when he took on two foes and prevailed to become the first to breach the triple century chip mark in Level 14. However, Ireland’s Patrick Noonan used the looming money bubble masterfully to become the first to make it past the half million mark and held on throughout the excruciating Money Bubble that saw the Hand for Hand process witness seven all-in and calls that led to double ups.

The bubble was finally burst by Noonan when he eliminated the Philippines’ Jose Cheung with trips and made the final cast of combatants a total of 61, all guaranteed a piece of the payouts that has a min-cash of PhP8,000 (~US$145).

The eventual titlist will pocket PhP300,000 (~US$5,375) while the final nine players also receive APPT Super Qualifier packages.

Noonan’s stack of 621,000 is significantly ahead of Flight A chip leader Han Seung Hyun who garnered 461,000.

Finishing second from Flight B is Czar Ian Mrcos of the Philippines with 322,000 while another Filipino in Mark Anthony Ciruelos was in third with 307,000.

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 6:08:42 PM

Noonan Finally Bursts Bubble, 34 Officially Advance to Day 2

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

Jose Cheung

The final hand of Flight B has the Philippines’ Lemmor Patulot open for 21,000 from UTG which is followed by an all-in declaration from fellow Filipino Jose Cheung from the +1 position for 45,000. It gets folded to massive chip leader Patrick Noonan of Ireland who makes the call from the BB. Patulot joins in.

The flop is 5♦ 6♦ K♠ as both check. The turn is the 5♥ as this time, Noonan leads out for 60,000. Patulot folds and the two remaining combatants now show cards.

Cheung tables J♦ T♥ while the Irishman shows A♣ 5♠. Cheung is drawing dead. The bubble has burst. The arrival of the 3♦ on the river signifies the end of the excruciating Hand-for-Hand saga and now 34 players from this session make it through to Day 2.

Player	Chips
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	621,000(39 BB)
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	220,000(14 BB)
JC Jose CheungPhilippines	busted

Level 21: 8,000 / 16,000 ante: 16,000

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 5:58:48 PM

Another Short Stack Gains Stay of Execution

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Once again, Jonathan Duque of the Philippines is on the cusp of once again being on the donation end of reviving the tournament life of yet another endangered specie as Korea’s Sung Younghwan tables A♠ K♣ after Duque called his alleged desperation heave with A♥ 8♠ .

However, Duque defies the odds and snatches the edge on the flop: 5♦ 8♦ 6♥ . The turn is the A♦ but Sung finds the K♦ on the river as the Korean’s higher aces up allows him at least another orbit.

That’s twice in a row Duque has chips taken away from him.

Player	Chips
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	263,000(22 BB)
YS Younghwan Sung	96,000(8 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 5:48:02 PM

Athiniotis Doubles Up Anew

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Ioannis Athiniotis

Greece’s Ioannis Athiniotis sees that he has the BB in the next and jumps in from UTG for his remaining 70,000. It gets folded to Jonathan Duque of the Philippines who makes the call from the D.

Athiniotis shows A♦ T♦ while Duque turns over a dominated A♣ 6♦ .

The runout priduces no booby traps for the Greek player: 4♦ 9♦ K♣ 7♣ 8♥ for yet another double up from just 11,000 in chips to six figures in a little over an orbit.

Player	Chips
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	220,000(18 BB)
IA Ioannis AthiniotisGreece	170,000(14 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:43:35 PM

Kang Doubles up Off Takahashi, Money Bubble Still Intact

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

Satoshi Takahashi

Kang Myeonghwa of Korea has it folded to him in the CO and open shoves for 62,000. He gets called in the SB by the Philippines’ Jonathan Duque but Japanese player Satoshi Takahashi 3-bet shoves from the BB, forcing Duque out of the hand.

The Korean tables Q♥ Q♣ while Takahashi shows A♠ K♦ .

The runout kept the ladies favored: 5♦ 7♣ 9♠ 5♥ 4♣ as Kang doubles up and there are still 35 players left.

Player	Chips
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	290,000(24 BB)
KM Kang MyeonghwaSouth Korea	204,000(17 BB)
ST Satoshi TakahashiJapan	95,000(8 BB)

Level 20: 6,000 / 12,000 ante: 12,000

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:39:57 PM

Mishra Doubles Up During Breaktime

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Siddharth Mishra

The break commenced, one table had an all-in and a call as short stack Siddarth Mishra of India had apparently open shoved from UTG for his last 16,000 and the burden of whether to call or not fell upon Filipino Raymundo Gomez in the SB.

The runout is 8♣ 6♣ Q♠ 2♦ 5♣ as the Indian stays alive as now all 35 remaining players are officially on break.

Player	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	215,000(22 BB)
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	52,000(5 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:37:15 PM

Marcos Doubles Up as Breaktime is Announced

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Marcos Czar Ian

The mandatory ten-minute break is announced, two tables still had action as the first saw Czar Ian Marcos of the Philippines raising it from UTG to 21,000 which was met by a call from Sweden’s Henrik Lindahl in the HJ.

The flop goes 4♣ 4♠ 9♥ as Marcos CBets for 11,000 and gets raised by Lindahl to 42,000. Marcos calls. The turn is the 5♠ and this time, the Filipino decides to check. Lindahl then goes all-in and gets greeted with a snap call from Marcos.

Lindahl shows T♠ T♦ for an over pair to the board while Marcos tables 9♠ 9♣ for a full house on th flop.

The river card is the 7♥ as Marcos takes some of the luster away from Lindahl’s stack and moves closer to where he was before getting hit earlier.

The players are now on break. The double up of Marcos signifies that the Money Bubble is alive and well.

Player	Chips
MC Marcos Czar IanPhilippines	275,000(28 BB)
HL Henrik Lindahl	211,000(21 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:37:13 PM

Another Double Up at Bubble Time

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

Michael Cheng

With the pot already at 100,000 and a flop of A♦ 7♥ 5♥ , the Philippines’ Michael Cheng is at risk anew this time against Sun Hui of Hong Kong as the cards are shown: Cheng has A♣ Q♠ for top pair while Sun reveals Q♥ T♥ for a flush draw.

The last two community cards are 2♦ and the 3♠ as the Filipino—after two big double ups—is now entering big stack territory.

The money bubble remains intact.

Player	Chips
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	280,000(28 BB)
SH Sun HuiChina	155,000(16 BB)

Level 19: 5,000 / 10,000 ante: 10,000

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 35/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:33:09 PM

Two Double Ups Extend Money Bubble

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Filipino Czar Ian Marcos tangles with short stack Seitaro Aso of Japan who just happens to have A♣ A♦ against his 9♠ 8♠ .

Marcos almost got it done when the first four community cards went 7♥ 8♣ J♦ 9♥ to get two pairs, but the river brings in the J♠ to give the Japanese player a higher two pairs and an extended lease on his tournament life.

Right after that, ultra short stack Ioannis Athiniotis of Greece is all-in from the BB for a mere 11,000 with 7♣ 7♠ against Korea’s Sung Younghwan who has A♦ 9♦ .

Athiniotis is immediately granted more table time on the flop: 7♥ 8♣ J♦ and although the Greek’s set could still be trounced if a ren arrives, it did not as the 9♥ and the J♠ complete the runout.

Flight B still has 35 players remaining.

Player	Chips
MC Marcos Czar IanPhilippines	151,000(19 BB)
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	102,000(13 BB)
IA Ioannis AthiniotisGreece	84,000(11 BB)
YS Younghwan Sung	72,000(9 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:29:36 PM

Patulot’s Ace High Ends Hamazaki’s Campaign as Bubble Looms

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Lemmor Patulot

Left with only 25,000 in chips, Motoki Hamazaki is left with very little choice from the BB but to call the raise of Filipino Lemmor Patulot with what he has left.

Patulot shows A♥ T♥ while at the very least Hamazaki has live cards with 3♦ 2♥ .

No miracle is on the horizon for the Japanese player, however: 8♣ 7♦ 7♣ 5♣ Q♠ as there are now only 35 players remaining. Flight B is one elimination away from ITM.

Player	Chips
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	174,000(22 BB)
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:28:21 PM

Gomez’s Tens Dodge Everything for Double Up

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Raymundo Gomez

Raymundo Gomez of the Philippines gets it going with a raise from the +1 position for 25,000 and it folds to the CO where Hong Kong’s Sun Hui puts pressure on his Filipino opponent by re-raising to 95,000. Gomez is all-in to call and he obliges.

Sun turns over A♣ K♥ while Gomez shows T♦ T♥ .

The flop became an immediate concern for Gomez: Q♥ 6♥ 8♥ . One more heart appears, he is out the door. The turn is the 8♦ and the river is the 9♦ as Gomez breathes a sigh of relief as he scoops the pot and stays relevant in the hunt for advancement.

Player	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	170,000(21 BB)
SH Sun HuiChina	152,000(19 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:24:51 PM

Table 26 Chip Counts

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	253,000(32 BB)	26	1
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	16,000(2 BB)	26	2
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	121,000(15 BB)	26	3
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	131,000(16 BB)	26	4
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	99,000(12 BB)	26	5
MC Marcos Czar IanPhilippines	201,000(25 BB)	26	6
SS Shingo SakamotoJapan	60,000(8 BB)	26	7
HL Henrik LindahlDenmark	274,000(34 BB)	26	8

Level 18: 4,000 / 8,000 ante: 8,000

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 37/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:04:20 PM

Battle of Japan: Sato Ousted After Stepping on Chono’s Aces

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

Two players from Japan are all-in preflop as Fumiaki Chono shows A♥ A♣ against Nobayasu Sato’s A♦ 5♦ .

The runout led to the inevitable: 4♦ T♣ 8♠ 8♥ 6♠ .

After a stellar performance, Sato walks into a trap and thus ends his campaign in this tournament.

Player	Chips
CF Chono FumiakiJapan	214,000(36 BB)
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 4:03:36 PM

Fukazawa Loses Flip, Busted by Duque

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

Jonathan Duque of the Philippines opens from UTG for 16,000 and gets called by a plauer in the HJ. It folds to Japan’s Yoshinori Fukazawa who 3-bet shoves his remaining 38,000. Duque then 4-bet shoves, forcing the initial caller to fold.

Fukazawa tables Q♥ Q♦ while the Fiipino shows A♣ K♦ .

Duque instantly grans the advantage on the flop: K♥ 8♠ 5♦ and the last two community cards are of no help to the embattled Japanese player as the 2♦ and the 6♠ complete the runout.

The elimination of Fukazawa gives Duque over a quarter of a million in chips and is within striking distance of the top spot.

Player	Chips
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	252,000(42 BB)
YF Yoshinori FukazawaJapan	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 3:59:54 PM

Cheng Doubles Up on River Versus Mishra

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

India’s Siddarth Mishra limps in from UTG and it folds to the D where Michael Cheng of the Philippines goes all-in for 80,000. It gets back to Mishra who makes the call. Cheng is now at risk.

Cheng shows A♣ J♣ while the Indian has 8♥ 8♠ .

The flop gives the Filipino more outs: 6♦ Q♥ T♠ as a gutshot looms to go with his two over cards. However, the 5♠ appears on the turn and does not help. But the river brings in the A♦ as Cheng climbs back into contention and depletes Mishra’s stack in the process.

Player	Chips
MB Michael BuezaPhilippines	175,000(29 BB)
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	119,500(20 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 3:57:58 PM

Big Stacks Clash: Sobrevega Outmuscles Kimura

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

Juan Sobrevega

Japan’s Masafumi Kimura opens from the HJ for 16,000 as Juan Sobrevega of the Philippines opts to defend his BB.

The flop comes 8♠ Q♦ 3♦ as Sobrevega checks. Kimura fires again for 16,000 as the Filipino hoes into the tank. Sobrevega then check-raises it to 42,000 and the Japanese player snap folds.

Both still have healthy stacks.

Player	Chips
JS Juan SobrevegaPhilippines	287,000(48 BB)
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	213,000(36 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 3:02:45 PM

Random Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	288,000(48 BB)
HL Henrik Lindahl	273,000(46 BB)
JS Juan SobrevegaPhilippines	255,000(43 BB)
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	239,000(40 BB)
SH Sun HuiChina	238,000(40 BB)
JC Jose CheungPhilippines	227,000(38 BB)
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	211,000(35 BB)
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	202,000(34 BB)
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	201,000(34 BB)
MC Marcos Czar IanPhilippines	193,000(32 BB)
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	190,000(32 BB)
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	162,000(27 BB)
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	156,000(26 BB)
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	151,000(25 BB)
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	150,000(25 BB)

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 42/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 3:01:26 PM

Kai Doubles Up

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

Michael Cheng of the Philippines opens from the +1 position for 10,000 and the action gets folded all the way to the BB where Malaysia’s Kai Ping Choo declares he is all-in for his remaining 46,500. Cheng calls.

Kai shows A♠ T♦ while Cheng is live with Q♠ J♦ .

The runout goes 5♦ 4♦ 3♥ A♦ (a sweat card for Kai in both the flush for his opponent and a chop). But the river card is the 5♣ to have the Malaysian double up and regain a six-figure chip stack.

Player	Chips
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	118,500(24 BB)
KP Kai Ping ChooMalaysia	100,000(20 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 3:00:37 PM

Chua Shown Exit by Riga’s Aces

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

The action begins from the +1 position with a raise to 10,000 followed a 3-bet all-in from the CO by the Philippines’ Bernard Chua for his last 21,000. Another Filipino in Janno Riga tanks from the D before 4-bet shoving. The initial raiser folds.

Chua shows 8♥ 8♠ while Riga tables A♠ A♦ .

The runout carries no surprises: 5♣ 4♠ 3♦ J♣ 3♥ as Chua is busted out.

Player	Chips
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	146,500(29 BB)
BC Bernard ChuaPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:58:07 PM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	46,500(9 BB)	29	1
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	69,000(14 BB)	29	3
KK Kawai KatsuhitoJapan	58,500(12 BB)	29	4
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	138,500(28 BB)	29	5
JC Jose CheungPhilippines	133,500(27 BB)	29	6
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	80,500(16 BB)	29	7
BM Billie Mark AlavaPhilippines	74,500(15 BB)	29	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:54:54 PM

Table 26 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
YC Yossef CohenIsrael	91,500(18 BB)	26	2
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	243,000(49 BB)	26	3
BC Bernard ChuaPhilippines	19,500(4 BB)	26	4
JR Jannodin RigaPhilippines	100,500(20 BB)	26	5
JF Jeserie FernandezPhilippines	107,500(22 BB)	26	6
HL Henrik LindahlDenmark	95,000(19 BB)	26	7
SS Shingo SakamotoJapan	242,000(48 BB)	26	8

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 51/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:51:09 PM

Ramo’s Rockets Blast Gomez

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

Rodolf Ramo

Rodolf Ramo open shoves his last 55,500 from the CO and gets called by fellow Filipino Raymundo Gomez from the BB.

Ramo then brandishes A♦ A♥ while Gomez shows T♥ T♦ .

The runout goes: K♦ 2♠ 6♥ 8♥ K♥ as Ramo doubles through but Gomez loses more than half his stack in the defeat.

Player	Chips
RR Rodolf RamoPhilippines	117,000(29 BB)
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	62,000(16 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:50:22 PM

Whoodie’s Ladies Prevail

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

Three Filipinos are all-in preflop with Elmer “Buddy” Kalaquian covering Joseroy “Whoodie” Jeremias in there for his last 44,000 while Fritz Magsumbol has put his remaining stack of 23,000 into the pot as well.

Jeremias flips over Q♠ Q♣ while Kalaquian is not only crushed with 9♦ 9♥ but is also deflated to see that Magsumbol has A♠ 9♣ , leaving only one nine in the deck.

The runout goes: 6♣ 3♣ 2♠ K♥ T♥ as Jeremias triples up and Magsumbol is eliminated. Kalaquian’s stack is back to five-figures.

Player	Chips
EK Elmer KalaquianPhilippines	73,000(18 BB)
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	47,000(12 BB)
FM Fritz MagsumbolPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:48:33 PM

Table 27 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	174,500(44 BB)	27	1
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	263,000(66 BB)	27	2
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	285,000(71 BB)	27	3
MD Muhammad DarmawanPhilippines	61,000(15 BB)	27	4
FD Frederic DimayugaPhilippines	94,000(24 BB)	27	5
JS Juan SobrevegaPhilippines	143,500(36 BB)	27	6
VN Vivencio Nachor Jr.Philippines	136,000(34 BB)	27	7

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:46:15 PM

Table 30 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
OK Okumura KenkiJapan	53,500(13 BB)	30	1
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	176,500(44 BB)	30	3
AA Alma AguilaPhilippines	43,500(11 BB)	30	4
JP John Philip BaiderPhilippines	35,000(9 BB)	30	5
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	119,500(30 BB)	30	6
SG Stefan GreinerAustralia	108,000(27 BB)	30	7
SH Sun HuiChina	157,000(39 BB)	30	8

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 59/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:44:22 PM

Kim Jongsu Claims Overall Chip Lead

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

Kim Jongsu of Korea is among the tournament’s big stacks and opens from the +1 position for 9,000 as it folds to the player in the CO who makes the call. Also calling is Israel’s Avi Kaplan from the D until another Korean in Kyu Suk Shin re-raises all-in from the BB for his last 42,000. Kim, the original raiser, 4-bet shoves as the player in the CO folds, but Kaplan puts what’s left of his dwindling stack of 32,000 in the middle of the table as well.

Kyu turns over 8♦ 8♠, Kim shows J♥ J♦ while Kaplan has one over card to all of that with K♦ 9♦ .

The window card immediately shows the J♠ along with the 7♣ and the 2♥ . Kaplan is drawing dead on the turn as the 5♦ arrives and when the 4♣ shows up on the river, two players are busted and a new chip leader emerges as Kim is the first to breach the triple century mark with the double knockout he obtained.

Player	Chips
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	310,000(103 BB)
AK Avi KaplanIsrael	busted
KS Kyu Suk ShinSouth Korea	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 2:42:21 PM

Baider Still In

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

Maxwell Rosete of the Philippines starts it off with a raise from UTG for 6,000 to which fellow Filipino John Philip Baider tosses in his last few chips of 7,000. Japan’s Kenki Okamura joins in from the SB. Rosete calls.

The flop is 9♥ 8♦ 8♠ as Okamura and Rosete check. The turn is the K♣ and no one makes a move. The river card is the 5♦ and now Okamura bets 10,000 which gets Rosete to fold.

Baider shows K♥ Q♦ while Okamura tables K♦ T♦ as the Filipino’s kicker plays and gets a triple up, but still has a ton of work to do.

Player	Chips
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	98,500(33 BB)
OK Okumura KenkiJapan	53,000(18 BB)
JP John Philip BaiderPhilippines	27,000(9 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:57:22 PM

Table 23 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	62,500(21 BB)	23	1
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	106,500(36 BB)	23	2
EK Elmer KalaquianPhilippines	47,000(16 BB)	23	3
CF Chono FumiakiJapan	119,000(40 BB)	23	4
FM Fritz MagsumbolPhilippines	30,500(10 BB)	23	5
JP Joey PardalesPhilippines	18,000(6 BB)	23	7
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	20,000(7 BB)	23	8
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	165,000(55 BB)	23	9

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 69/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:55:55 PM

Set Comes Too Late for Opelenio

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

Two Filipinos lock horns as Domingo Opelenio opens from UTG for 5,000 and is 3-bet on the D by Juan Sobrevega to 17,000. Opelenio 4-bet shoves and gets called.

Opelenio unveils J♣ J♦ while Sobrevega’s tournament life is in the balance with A♣ K♣ .

The flop gives Sobrevega an answered prayer: T♥ 5♠ A♦ . Opelenio needs to hit a set to turn the tide. However, the turn is the Q♠ and now Opelenio does not want to see a set but one of the three remaining Kings in the deck. The set does come from Opelenio on the river as the J♥ hits, but that also gives Sobrevega a Broadway straight for the win and the double up.

Opelenio is back to where he started the day, but now has less than ten BBs.

Player	Chips
DO Domingo OpelenioPhilippines	24,000(10 BB)
JS Juan SobrevegaPhilippines	23,000(9 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:53:33 PM

Villanueva Eliminates Two with Weakest Preflop Hand

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

Renato Villanueva Jr

Malaysia’s Lim Kok Leong goes for it all as he open shoves his last 25,500 in the +1 position and is called by local bet Chierro de Leon from the CO for less, putting his remaining 18,000 in the middle of the table. In the BB, Filipino Renato Villanueva sees the pot and determines that there is no further preflop action so he joins in. Villanueva covers both.

Lim turns over A♦ T♦ while de Leon shows A♠ J♠ . Way behind is Villanueva’s Q♣ J♥ .

The flop, though, flipped the script: Q♠ T♣ 3♥ as suddenly Villanueva takes the lead with top pair, Lim needs to hit a four-outer and de Leon is praying to nail a gutshot. The turn is the 3♠ and the river card is the 5♣ as Villanueva successfully KOs two players and pads his chip count to come into the big stack conversation.

Player	Chips
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	148,000(59 BB)
KL Kok LimMalaysia	busted
CD Chierro De LeonPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:52:09 PM

Nocon Eliminates Two with Big Slick Boat

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

Jason Nocon

Hernan Villa of the Philippines swings for the fences as it is folded to him on the CO for his remaining 20,000 as Korea’s Jeong Seonghun also shoves his last 33,000 when it gets to him on the SB. However, waiting in the BB is another Filipino in Jason Nocon who decides to call. Nocon covers both.

Villa tables 7♣ 7♦ while Jeong shows A♦ J♠ . Nocon turns over A♣ K♦ .

Nocon immediately becomes the favorite on the flop: K♠ 9♥ K♥ . Villa needs to hit a two-outer while Jeong needs running cards to stay alive. Both go drawing dead on the turn as the A♠ appears to complete a full house for Nocon. The 2♣ on the river solidifies matters as Villa and Jeong are officially out of the tournament and Nocon now has six-figures in chips.

Player	Chips
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	134,000(54 BB)
HV Hernan VillaPhilippines	busted
JS Jeong SeonghunSouth Korea	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:49:59 PM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
ED Edwin De GuzmanPhilippines	57,000(23 BB)	29	1
SS Sakui ShoJapan	37,500(15 BB)	29	2
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	65,500(26 BB)	29	3
KK Kawai KatsuhitoJapan	53,000(21 BB)	29	4
JW Jong WonSouth Korea	55,500(22 BB)	29	5
MC Manish ChoudharyIndia	91,000(36 BB)	29	6
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	58,000(23 BB)	29	7
QX Qi XiaChina	29,500(12 BB)	29	8
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	200,500(80 BB)	29	9

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 84/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:42:29 PM

Table 24 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MA Marco AlmerezPhilippines	52,000(26 BB)	24	1
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	73,000(37 BB)	24	2
DL David Lennard AngPhilippines	43,000(22 BB)	24	3
VN Vivencio Nachor Jr.Philippines	118,500(59 BB)	24	4
RR Ryotaro RikihisaJapan	22,000(11 BB)	24	5
CM Chung Michael WookjuSouth Korea	22,500(11 BB)	24	6
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	19,500(10 BB)	24	7
GA Gary Anthony RotzlerUnited States of America	46,500(23 BB)	24	9
KJ Kim JinhyungSouth Korea	17,000(9 BB)	25	8

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:40:48 PM

Gonzales Doubles Through with Big Slick

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

Maria Gonzales

Ryoma Fukui of Japan opens from the +2 position for 4,000 and it gets folded to Filipina Maria Gonzales who 3-bet shoves her remaining 11,500 from the HJ. It gets back to Fukui who makes the call.

Gonzales unveils A♦ K♦ which dominates her Japanese opponent’s A♣ T♠ .

The runout goes: 9♠ 6♥ 8♥ Q♠ 3♣ as Gonzales stays in contention and all but cripples Fukui.

Player	Chips	Progress
FR Fukui RyomaJapan	175,000(88 BB)	7
MG Maria GonzalesPhilippines	28,000(14 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:39:36 PM

Lindahl Hits Dela Cruz

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

Henrik Lindahl

In a hand already in progress, the board reads J♦ T♣ 6♠ with 18,000 in the pot.

In the SB is Sweden’s Henrik Lindahl who bets 8,000 to which James dela Cruz of the Philippines—in the BB—makes the call. The turn is the T♦ Lindahl unloads again, this time for 12,000 as de la Cruz still calls. The river card is the 4♦ to which the Swede takes his time before blasting 20,500. The Filipino calls.

Lindahl shows A♥ J♠ for top pair-top kicker on the flop. De la Cruz mucks, but not before losing a huge chunk of his chips in the loss.

Player	Chips
HL Henrik Lindahl	191,500(96 BB)
JD James Dela CruzPhilippines	19,500(10 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:36:49 PM

Table 15 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
SA Shinya ArigaiJapan	14,500(7 BB)	15	1
PF Patrick FurlongIreland	26,500(13 BB)	15	2
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	55,000(28 BB)	15	3
SW Sham Wing SheukChina	24,000(12 BB)	15	4
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	117,500(59 BB)	15	5
RM Richard MarquezPhilippines	67,000(34 BB)	15	6
SM Shepherd MarquezPhilippines	22,500(11 BB)	15	7
KP Kai Ping ChooMalaysia	17,000(9 BB)	15	8
BM Billie Mark AlavaPhilippines	73,500(37 BB)	15	9

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 102/227

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 1:21:54 PM

Yao barrels against Cheng

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

Michael Cheng

In another battle of the Philippines, Michael Cheng opens from the LJ for 3,000 and gets a re-raise from Alex Yao in the BB to 8,000. Cheng calls.

The flop comes J♠ 9♣ 4♥ as Yao continues firing, this time for 4,000. Cheng stays sticky. The turn is the 5♣ as now Yao moves all-in for 25,000. Cheng goes into the tank and can’t pull the trigger.

Player	Chips
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	56,500(38 BB)
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	51,500(34 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:52:08 PM

Registration Closes in Flight B, Prize Pool Soars

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

At the end of the registration period, a total of 227 entries were logged leading to the official prize pool of PhP1,707,200 (~US$30,600) which is more than double the original GTD prize pool of PhP780,000 (~US$13,980).

We now await the announcement of how many from this qualifying session will join the 27 who advanced from Flight A.

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 115/225

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:51:07 PM

Manlapaz Rivers, Ousts Ang

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Michael Manlapaz

Michael Manlapaz of the Philippines open shoves from UTG and it folds to the LJ where fellow Filipino David Ang calls for his last 38,000.

Manlapaz tables T♣ 8♠ while Ang is coin-flipping with 4♥ 4♠ .

The runout goes: Q♦ Q♣ 5♦ K♣ and then T♦ as Manlapaz rivers a higher pair and sends Ang to the sidelines with still enough time to re-enter.

Player	Chips
MM Michael ManlapazPhilippines	124,500(104 BB)
DL David Lennard AngPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:48:51 PM

Oikawa Busts Two

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

The Philippines’ Anacleto Quijano opens from UTG for 2,500 and gets re-raised all-in James Allan of the United States in the LJ for his last 18,000. Japan’s Shun Oikawa 4-bets all-in from the BB to isolate, but Quijano also jumps in with his tournament life on the line.

Allan shows K♣ J♣ while Oikawa has T♣ T♦ . Quijano is behind with 7♣ 7♠ .

The flop all but put matters to rest: K♠ 4♠ T♥ as the Japanese player’s flopped set requires his opponents to capture running cards for a miracle comeback. The turn is the 5♠ which now renders Allan out of it, but gives Quijano additional outs spade outs. The river is the 7♦ as Quijano goes down to lose set over set and joins Allan in trying to get one more entry in before registration closes.

Player	Chips
SO Shun OikawaJapan	78,300(65 BB)
AL Anacleto Lito QuijanoPhilippines	busted
JA James AllanUnited States of America	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:42:40 PM

Random Chip Counts

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Player	Chips
IK Izuho KasaiJapan	121,500(101 BB)
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	119,000(99 BB)
HK Harish Kumar AsnaniIndia	116,000(97 BB)
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	114,500(95 BB)
VN Vivencio Nachor Jr.Philippines	112,000(93 BB)
HL Henrik Lindahl	108,500(90 BB)
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	95,000(79 BB)
MK Masafumi KimuraJapan	95,000(79 BB)
MD Muhammad DarmawanPhilippines	94,500(79 BB)
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	92,000(77 BB)
JP Joey PardalesPhilippines	88,500(74 BB)
AA Alma AguilaPhilippines	83,000(69 BB)

Level 10: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 106/207

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:41:44 PM

Sato Rails Xu

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

Nobuyasu Sato

Japan’s Nobusayu Sato opens from the HJ to 2,500 and it gets folded to the SB where Andrew Xu of Australia who 3-bet shoves his last 30,300. Sato calls.

Xu tables 8♦ 8♣ while Sato has him crushed with T♦ T♠ .

Sato even has his Australian opponent more crushed when the flop shows T♥ 7♥ 5♣ for top set and the turn card being the 2♥ has Xu drawing dead. The river card is the J♣ to officially eject Xu but he still has time to re-enter as Level 9 is in its twilight.

Player	Chips
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	115,300(96 BB)
AX Andrew XuAustralia	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:41:01 PM

Patulot Backdoors Ang

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

Lemmor Patulot

The action is folded to the HJ where Lemmor Patulot of the Philippines raises it to 2,400 and it gets to the BB of fellow Filipino David Ang who opts to defend.

The flop is A♦ K♠ J♣ as Ang checks. Patulot continues for 2,500 but Ang check-raises his adversary to 6,500. Patulot comes back with a 3-bet to 15,000 to which Ang chooses to call. The turn is the Q♦ and after all the fireworks after the flop, both opt to check. The river is the 6♦ as Ang checks again. This time, Patulot goes all-in for his remaining 17,100. Ang makes the call.

Patulot flips over 4♦ 2♦ for a completed backdoor flush while Ang is in disbelief as he shows A♣ J♦ for Aces up on the flop.

The loss reduces Ang’s stack significantly.

Player	Chips
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	70,800(59 BB)
DL David Lennard AngPhilippines	30,800(26 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:37:12 PM

Table 29 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
ED Edwin De GuzmanPhilippines	28,200(24 BB)	29	1
SS Sakui ShoJapan	47,100(39 BB)	29	2
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	80,600(67 BB)	29	3
JW Jong WonSouth Korea	94,500(79 BB)	29	5
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	52,100(43 BB)	29	7
AX Andrew XuAustralia	30,300(25 BB)	29	8
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	121,800(102 BB)	29	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:33:19 PM

Table 27 Chip Counts

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

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
DO Domingo OpelenioPhilippines	32,600(27 BB)	27	1
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	103,900(87 BB)	27	2
FC Ferdinand Cruz (2)Philippines	38,700(32 BB)	27	3
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	44,700(37 BB)	27	4
IK Izuho KasaiJapan	117,500(98 BB)	27	5
JM James MorilesPhilippines	25,500(21 BB)	27	6
DA Dave AguilaPhilippines	25,300(21 BB)	27	7
AK Avi KaplanIsrael	27,600(23 BB)	27	8

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

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 111/203

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:13:13 PM

Lim Sidelines Cerbito

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Alexis Lim

In a battle of two Filipinos, Alexis Lim and Marciel Cerbito put it all in the middle preflop.

Lim flips over 7♣ 7♦ while Cerbito shows A♣ K♠ in a coin-flip for the latter’s tournament life.

The runout goes: T♠ T♣ 9♠ 8♦ 5♦ as Cerbito is bounced.

Player	Chips
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	47,800(48 BB)
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:10:08 PM

Kalaquian KOs Two in Roller-Coaster hHand

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

The action starts with a raise from UTG to 1,600 followed by a 3-bet from Filipino Elmer Kalaquian in the +1 position to 4,600. Katsuhito Kawai of Japan calls from the HJ and another Filipino in Wendell Jhanin Barte make the call. The original raiser joins in as well.

The flop comes 2♠ 5♠ 6♣ as it is checked to Kalaquian who moves all-in and is promptly called by both Kawai and Barte. The initial raiser folds.

Kalaquian shows A♠ 3♠ for the nut flush/straight flush draw, Kawai tables T♣ T♦ for the lead with an over-pair to the board while Barte also has a flush draw but it is with the Q♠ J♠ . Kalaquian covers both.

The turn card gives Barte the edge as the Q♦ appears, giving the Filipino top pair. However, the river is the T♠ to complete Kalaquian’s nut flush as he bounces two from the competition and closes in on the century chip mark.

Player	Chips
EK Elmer KalaquianPhilippines	80,000(80 BB)
KK Kawai KatsuhitoJapan	busted
WJ Wendell Jhann BartePhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 12:06:03 PM

Table 32 Chip Counts

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
YF Yoshinori FukazawaJapan	37,600(38 BB)	32	1
RS Ricardo SingapanPhilippines	19,100(19 BB)	32	2
RB Ratthamontree BurimaThailand	24,600(25 BB)	32	3
CD Chierro De LeonPhilippines	69,800(70 BB)	32	4
OM Oh MinSouth Korea	37,000(37 BB)	32	6
VD Van Dong An NguyenViet Nam	29,600(30 BB)	32	7
FD Frederic DimayugaPhilippines	14,300(14 BB)	32	8
AC Arnel CasquejoPhilippines	33,900(34 BB)	32	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:57:15 AM

Table 43 Chip Counts

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
RM Rene Mar DavidPhilippines	38,900(39 BB)	43	2
MC Marciel CerbitoPhilippines	23,400(23 BB)	43	3
MK Minsung KimSouth Korea	25,000(25 BB)	43	4
OK Okumura KenkiJapan	40,700(41 BB)	43	5
OK Osamu KobayashiJapan	9,200(9 BB)	43	6
JT Jessie TrancePhilippines	24,500(25 BB)	43	7
HK Harish Kumar AsnaniIndia	92,100(92 BB)	43	8
AL Alexis LimPhilippines	29,800(30 BB)	43	9

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 123/188

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:49:59 AM

Bueza’s Boat Sunk by Kim’s Quads

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Michael Bueza

Korea’s Kim Sangbum opens from the +2 position for 2,000 and gets greeted by a 3-bet shove from Michael Bueza of the Philippines from the SB for his last 10,700. Kim calls.

Bueza turns over 7♦ 7♥ while the Korean shows a superior pocket pair in 9♠ 9♦ .

The flop has Bueza drawing dead as it comes 7♣ 9♣ 9♥ as Kim flops quads versus the Filipino’s full house. The next two community cards are the J♦ and the 3♦ to make Bueza’s brutal ouster official.

Player	Chips
SK Sangbum KimSouth Korea	31,500(32 BB)
MB Michael BuezaPhilippines	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:47:24 AM

Table 24 Chip Counts

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
MA Marco AlmerezPhilippines	69,000(69 BB)	24	1
SS Sonny SorianoPhilippines	24,000(24 BB)	24	2
AL Anacleto Lito QuijanoPhilippines	21,300(21 BB)	24	3
VN Vivencio Nachor Jr.Philippines	66,700(67 BB)	24	4
BM Benjamin MangalimanPhilippines	25,400(25 BB)	24	5
RS Rodrigo SequitePhilippines	18,800(19 BB)	24	6
JI Jester IntiaPhilippines	41,000(41 BB)	24	7
GA Gary Anthony RotzlerUnited States of America	29,600(30 BB)	24	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:42:29 AM

Villanueva Outdrawn by Baider

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

From the +1 position, Filipino John Philip Baider makes a bold move by open shoving his stack of 24,700 but gets called by compatriot Renato Villanueva in the HJ.

Baider shows A♣ J♦ and is crushed to discover that Villanueva has him dominated with A♦ Q♣ .

The poker gods have other plans, though, as the first three community cards are J♣ 9♣ 6♦ as Baider pairs his Jack. The turn is the 4♠ and the river is the K♠ as the loss via outdraw sends Villanueva’s stack spiraling downwards.

Player	Chips
JP John Philip BaiderPhilippines	51,400(51 BB)
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	3,400(3 BB)

Level 7: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 121/166

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:40:58 AM

No Kickers Play

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Noel Llamedo of the Philippines opens from UTG for 2,000 and gets three callers.

The flop goes Q♦ 2♠ A♦ as it is checked back to Llamedo who continues firing for 3,000. Fellow Filipino James de la Cruz—who called preflop from the HJ—makes the call. The two others step aside. It is now Heads Up to the turn where the 2♥ shows up. Both check, The river is the 9♣ and no further action ensues.

Llamedo turns over Q♠ T♠ while de la Cruz shows Q♣ J♦ which normally should win but their kickers don’t play on this board.

Player	Chips
JD James Dela CruzPhilippines	44,800(56 BB)
NL Noel LlamedoPhilippines	26,700(33 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:39:57 AM

Check-Raise by Noonan Works

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Filipino Raymundo Gomez has it folded to him on the D and raises it 1,600 as the blinds decide to call.

The flop is 4♦ J♦ 8♣ as Australia's Qi Xia in the SB and Patrick Noonan of Ireland in the BB opt to check. Gomez CBets for 2,200 as Qi calls. The Irishman then check-raises it to 7,200. Both his opponents lay it down.

Noonan shows the J♠ .

Player	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	84,500(106 BB)
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	68,800(86 BB)
QX Qi XiaChina	25,600(32 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:24:55 AM

Table 28 Chip Counts

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
JS Jeong SeonghunSouth Korea	62,900(79 BB)	28	1
JN Jason NoconPhilippines	27,200(34 BB)	28	2
SS Supakorn SemsriThailand	22,000(28 BB)	28	3
YS Younghwan Sung	39,500(49 BB)	28	4
AY Alex YaoPhilippines	30,000(38 BB)	28	5
KO Kengo OhashiJapan	31,200(39 BB)	28	6
DS David SumaoiPhilippines	16,000(20 BB)	28	7
YP Ying PangUnited Kingdom	20,400(26 BB)	28	8
ST Satoshi TakahashiJapan	26,900(34 BB)	28	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:20:49 AM

Random Chip Counts

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Player	Chips
AK Avi KaplanIsrael	83,200(104 BB)
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	74,800(94 BB)
BM Billie Mark AlavaPhilippines	73,500(92 BB)
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	70,400(88 BB)
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	64,700(81 BB)
SG Stefan GreinerAustralia	63,800(80 BB)
PN Patrick NoonanIreland	62,800(79 BB)
KS Kyu Suk ShinSouth Korea	61,200(77 BB)
DL David Lennard AngPhilippines	59,800(75 BB)
NB Nikolai BabushkinRussia	58,100(73 BB)
JF Jeserie FernandezPhilippines	55,200(69 BB)
SS Sakui ShoJapan	52,300(65 BB)

Level 6: 400 / 800 ante: 800

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 117/150

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:14:56 AM

Salud Repels Two

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

From the +1 position, Jose Cheung of the Philippines raises it to 1,200 but fellow Filipino George Salud 3-bets from the HJ to 4,300. A Filipina in Maria Gonzales makes the call from the BB and so does Cheung.

The flop is 4♥ 3♣ 2♥ as Gonzales and Cheung check. Salud empties the clip by going all-in for his remaining 15,100. Both of his opponents fold.

Player	Chips
MG Maria GonzalesPhilippines	41,300(69 BB)
GS George SaludPhilippines	28,900(48 BB)
JC Jose CheungPhilippines	18,200(30 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 11:14:05 AM

Duque’s Aggression Pays Off

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Jonathan Duque

The Philippines’ David Lenard Ang opens from the +2 position for 1,500 and gets two callers in fellow Filipino Jonathan Duque on the D and Kim Sangbum of Korea in the BB.

The flop comes 3♠ Q♠ 7♦ as Kim checks. Ang CBets for 2,500 ang can’t shake off both as they call. The turn card is the J♣ as Kim checks a second time. This time, Ang slows down and also checks. Duque then assumes the betting lead and fires 4,500. Kim folds but Ang calls. It is now Heads Up between the two Filipinos to the river where the 5♥ appears. Ang checks and Duque unloads 6,500. Ang gives it some thought before electing to make the call.

Duque unfurls 7♣ 5♣ for two pairs on the river. Ang mucks.

Player	Chips
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	45,000(75 BB)
DL David Lennard AngPhilippines	38,500(64 BB)
SK Sangbum KimSouth Korea	29,700(50 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:50:01 AM

Table 27 Chip Counts

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
DO Domingo OpelenioPhilippines	32,100(54 BB)	27	1
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	48,700(81 BB)	27	2
FC Ferdinand Cruz (2)Philippines	10,200(17 BB)	27	3
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	36,000(60 BB)	27	4
RM Ryo MatsuzakiJapan	55,000(92 BB)	27	5
JM James MorilesPhilippines	16,700(28 BB)	27	6
DA Dave AguilaPhilippines	92,700(155 BB)	27	7
KT Koh TsunezawaJapan	19,700(33 BB)	27	9

Level 5: 300 / 600 ante: 600

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 99/129

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:45:55 AM

Han’s Big Slick Cripples Kawabata

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Seong Bae

The action is folded to the HJ where Han Seongbae of Korea attempts to make the most of his second bullet by putting all his chips in the middle. However, Japan’s Kaisei Kawabata covers him and calls his shove from the CO.

Han is delighted to see that his A♦ K♥ dominates Kawabata’s A♠ Q♠ .

The runout goes: 4♣ 9♥ 7♦ 8♣ 7♠ as Han instantly doubles up his reload but for Kawabata, his stack becomes almost unplayable.

Player	Chips
SB Seong BaeSouth Korea	49,000(98 BB)
KK Kaisei KawabataJapan	2,600(5 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:44:44 AM

Lim Railed on River by Fernandez’s Boat

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

In another ongoing pot with 13,500 in the middle, the board reads Q♥ Q♠ T♠ 6♠ 8♥ .

Malaysia’s Lim Kok Leong checks from his BB and Raymundo Gomez of the Philippines bets 6,000 from the HJ. Lim proceeds to check-raise all-in for his last 11,100. Gomez snap calls.

Lim flips over K♠ 3♠ for a flush on the turn while the Filipino shows Q♦ 8♣ for a full house on the river, sending the Malaysian back to the registration area for a re-entry ticket.

Player	Chips
RG Raymundo GomezPhilippines	73,500(147 BB)
KL Kok LimMalaysia	busted

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:41:45 AM

Table 30 Chip Counts

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
KS Kyu Suk ShinSouth Korea	68,700(137 BB)	30	1
WW William WrightUnited States of America	24,000(48 BB)	30	2
GD Germ de HaasNetherlands	25,800(52 BB)	30	4
AA Alma AguilaPhilippines	40,500(81 BB)	30	5
MC Michael ChengPhilippines	25,000(50 BB)	30	6
RV Renato Villanueva JrPhilippines	25,000(50 BB)	30	8
DO Daryl ORoukeIreland	42,800(86 BB)	30	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:34:35 AM

Table 23 Chip Counts

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
LP Lemmor PatulotPhilippines	19,400(39 BB)	23	1
SK Sangbum KimSouth Korea	33,600(67 BB)	23	2
NK Ng Kin MengMalaysia	22,700(45 BB)	23	3
CF Chono FumiakiJapan	31,200(62 BB)	23	4
FM Fritz MagsumbolPhilippines	48,900(98 BB)	23	5
DL David Lennard AngPhilippines	25,000(50 BB)	23	6
MB Michael BuezaPhilippines	27,200(54 BB)	23	7
JJ Joseroy JeremiasPhilippines	22,700(45 BB)	23	8
JD Jonathan DuquePhilippines	28,900(58 BB)	23	9

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:22:46 AM

Table 15 Chip Counts

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
SB Seong BaeSouth Korea	27,800(56 BB)	15	1
KK Kaisei KawabataJapan	30,200(60 BB)	15	2
ED Edwin Dela CruzPhilippines	23,200(46 BB)	15	3
TI Tomoomi IwanamiJapan	29,700(59 BB)	15	5
KJ Kim JinhyungSouth Korea	18,700(37 BB)	15	6
SM Shepherd MarquezPhilippines	31,600(63 BB)	15	7
RH Ron HoffmanIsrael	29,800(60 BB)	15	8
BM Billie Mark AlavaPhilippines	19,400(39 BB)	15	9

Level 4: 200 / 500 ante: 500

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 92/104

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:12:56 AM

Segismundo’s Set Spanks Kim

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Emmanuel Segismundo

The river card has already been dealt and board goes 4♠ Q♦ 7♥ T♥ 5♦ as Eman Segismundo of the Philippines bets out 7,000 from his SB spot. His opponent is Korea’s Kim Jongsu who makles the call from the +1 position.

Segismundo turns over 7♦ 7♠ for mid-set on the flop as Kim mucks.

The bet size was indicative of the trap.

Player	Chips
ES Emmanuel SegismundoPhilippines	40,600(102 BB)
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	11,200(28 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:09:37 AM

Fernandez Cans Lee

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

Jeserie Fernandez

Filipina Jes Fernandez opens the action from the +1 position for 800 and gets called by Lee Seoha of Korea in the +2. At the CO, Filipino James de la Cruz 3-bets it to 3,100. Both his opponents make the call.

The flop comes 7♥ 4♦ 6♠ as all three players check. The turn is the T♠ and this time, Fernandez leads out for 5,500. Lee raises all-in for his remaining 6,100 as de la Cruz exits.

Fernandez turns over Q♠ Q♥ for an over pair to the board while Lee shows 8♥ 2♥ for a flopped gutshot that improved to a double-gutter on the turn.

The river blanks out for the Korean as the T♦ appears to send him to the sidelines for the moment.

Player	Chips
JF Jeserie FernandezPhilippines	58,600(147 BB)
JD James Dela CruzPhilippines	34,600(87 BB)
SL Seoha LeeSouth Korea	busted

Level 3: 200 / 400 ante: 400

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 70/74

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 10:07:57 AM

Lee Mucks After Getting Caught

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

More K-Drama to report as a brewing pot is already at the turn with a board of A♥ 4♦ T♥ 4♣ and 18,500 in the middle.

Korea’s Lee Seoha is in the SB and checks while his opponent and compatriot Oh Minho in the +1 position does the same. The river card is the 6♦ as Lee bets 7,500. Oh goes into the tank and decides to call.

Lee instantly mucks his hand and Oh wins the pot. No information was shared in the missed bluff.

Player	Chips
OM Oh MinSouth Korea	40,800(136 BB)
SL Seoha LeeSouth Korea	12,700(42 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:59:34 AM

More Early Birds

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Player	Chips
MD Muhammad DarmawanPhilippines	25,000(83 BB)
TV Thomas Van NederveldeBelgium	25,000(83 BB)
NN Novan NeloePhilippines	25,000(83 BB)
AA Alma AguilaPhilippines	25,000(83 BB)
DO Daryl ORoukeIreland	25,000(83 BB)
WJ Wong JonathanSingapore	25,000(83 BB)
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	25,000(83 BB)
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	25,000(83 BB)
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	25,000(83 BB)
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	25,000(83 BB)
JM James MorilesPhilippines	25,000(83 BB)
DA Dave AguilaPhilippines	25,000(83 BB)
KT Koh Tsunezawa	25,000(83 BB)
OM Oh MinSouth Korea	25,000(83 BB)
SL Seoha LeeSouth Korea	25,000(83 BB)
HL Henrik Lindahl	25,000(83 BB)
SK Sangbum KimSouth Korea	25,000(83 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:57:09 AM

Chung Outdraws Han

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Chung Michael Wookju

Michael Wookju Chung has the action folded to him in the LJ and raises it 900. At the D, fellow Korean Han Seongbae goes over the top all-in for 13,000. It gets folded back to Chung who puts himself at risk with a call for his last 11,900.

Han shows T♦ T♣ while Chung turns over Q♠ T♠ .

Chung immediately turned the tables on the flop: A♦ Q♣ 7♥ and the last two community cards were of no help to Han as the 6♦ and the 4♠ completed the runout.

Han’s stack is all but decimated while Chung inches back to near the starting stack.

Player	Chips
CM Chung Michael WookjuSouth Korea	24,500(82 BB)
SB Seong BaeSouth Korea	1,100(4 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:39:38 AM

Sato Snap Shoves

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Nobuyasu Sato

Japan’s Nubuyasu Sato opens from the +1 position for 600 and gets called by Han Seongbae of Korea in the +2. It gets folded to the BB of another Korean in Michael Wookju Chung and the man known as “The Ripper” 3-bets the duo to 1,500. Both call.

The flop is 5♦ 3♥ 9♣ as Chung decides to check. Sato also defaults to Han to takes the betting lead for 2,100. Both of his opponents stick around. The turn is the K♦ as once again it is checked to Han who once again bets, this time for 5,500. Now, Chung folds but Sato still calls. The river card is the 4♠ as suddenly Sato declares he is all-in for 12,800. Han goes into the tank and eventually releases his hand.

The Japanese player turns over 9♠ 9♦ for top set on the flop.

Player	Chips
NS Nobuyasu SatoJapan	35,000(117 BB)
SB Seong BaeSouth Korea	15,100(50 BB)
CM Chung Michael WookjuSouth Korea	9,100(30 BB)

Level 2: 100 / 300 ante: 300

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 46/46

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:30:42 AM

Kyu Mounts Assault

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Kyu Suk Shin

The action begins with a limp from the +1 position followed by another limp from Germ de Haas of the Netherlands from the CO. From the BB, Korea’s Kyu Suk Shin raises it to 800 and gets both limpers to call.

The flop goes A♠ K♣ J♥ as Kyu continues for 2,000. The original limper folds but de Haas is still in there. The turn is the 2♦ as this time, Kyu makes it 3,000. The Dutchman opts to lay it down.

Player	Chips
KS Kyu Suk ShinSouth Korea	34,300(172 BB)
GD Germ de HaasNetherlands	19,100(96 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:29:54 AM

Chung Ripped Early

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Chung Michael Wookju

Korea’s Michael “Ripper” Wookju Chung opens from UTG for 600 and gets re-raised right at the +1 position by Sho Sakui of Japan to 1,800. Chung calls.

The flop comes 5♥ 6♣ 2♣ as both players check. The turn is the T♣ and now Chung bets 1,500. Sakui makes the call. The river is the 3♠ as Chung checks. The Japanese player fires 6,500 and gets snap called by Chung.

Sakui tables K♣ Q♣ for a flush on the turn. The Korean mucks.

Player	Chips
SS Sakui ShoJapan	36,700(184 BB)
CM Chung Michael WookjuSouth Korea	15,000(75 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:29:33 AM

Early Birds

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Player	Chips
KS Kyu Suk ShinSouth Korea	25,000(125 BB)
NN Novan NeloePhilippines	25,000(125 BB)
GD Germ de HaasNetherlands	25,000(125 BB)
AA Alma AguilaPhilippines	25,000(125 BB)
DO Daryl ORoukeIreland	25,000(125 BB)
CM Chung Michael WookjuSouth Korea	25,000(125 BB)
SS Sakui ShoJapan	25,000(125 BB)
WJ Wong JonathanSingapore	25,000(125 BB)
SM Siddharth MishraIndia	25,000(125 BB)
MH Motoki HamazakiJapan	25,000(125 BB)
FA Frd Aso SeitaroJapan	25,000(125 BB)
SL Sangbum LeeSouth Korea	25,000(125 BB)
JK Jongsu KimSouth Korea	25,000(125 BB)
JM James MorilesPhilippines	25,000(125 BB)
DA Dave AguilaPhilippines	25,000(125 BB)
KT Koh Tsunezawa	25,000(125 BB)
OM Oh MinSouth Korea	25,000(125 BB)
MD Muhammad DarmawanPhilippines	25,000(125 BB)
TV Thomas Van NederveldeBelgium	25,000(125 BB)
SL Seoha LeeSouth Korea	25,000(125 BB)
HL Henrik Lindahl	25,000(125 BB)

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/7/2025, 9:25:30 AM

Warm-Up Flight B Blasts Off

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

How many will advance to Day 2 from this set of competitors?

Warm-Up Flight B is off and running and the opening blinds are 100/200 as everyone starts off with a 25,000 stack. Participants will play 20-minute levels and registration will remain open until the end of Level 10.

Level 1: 100 / 200 ante: 200

20 minutes

Remaining Players: 24/24

Noel ZarateNoel Zarate

6/6/2025, 6:50:26 PM

Warm-Up Flight B Commences Today

After 27 players made it through to Day 2 of the competition, another set of hopefuls (and perhaps repeat aspirants) see action today in Flight B of (Event 3B) the Warm-Up event of Manila Super Stack here Pokerstars Live at Okada Manila.

Cards take flight at 5:00PM (UCT+8).

A total 175 entries grace yesterday’s Flight A with Korea’s Han Seung Hyun leading the pack with 461,000 in chips.

The PhP5,000 (~US$90) multiple re-entry event will still have the same structure wherein the blinds begin at 100/200 and players start with a 25,000 stack (125 BBs). The levels are 20 minutes long and registration will remain open until the end of Level 10.