Philippines, Okada ManilaEVENT #49

2026.03.05 - 2026.03.08Add to Calendar

PokerStars Live

Blind level

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

Entries

24/157

Total Chips

4,710,000

Average

196,250

Follow Somuchpoker on Facebook and Instagram for more video updates.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

3/5/2026, 4:44:43 PM

Reigning Champion Edilberto Gopez Leads Day 1A

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

Edilberto Gopez

The Manila Megastack 24 Main Event is officially underway, with 157 entries hitting the tables for a gruelling 12 hours of play during the opening flight. Leading the charge of Day 1 is a familiar face: Manila Megastack 23 Champion Edilberto Gopez, who bagged the top stack, sitting comfortably on 438,000, and showed exactly why he is the player to beat. Following Gopez in the counts are Croatia's Marko Puskadija, who played a steady game to secure the second spot, and Hareesh Challa, who rounds out the top three after finding his rhythm in the later levels of the day.

The action ramped up as the money bubble approached, where Lawford Edwards ultimately fell as the bubble boy. In the final clash of the day, Edwards moved his ~110,000 chips in with ace-jack, only to be called by Isaac Hechanova’s ace-queen. The dry board offered no salvation, ending Edwards’ run just shy of a payday and a chance at Sunday's Day 2 finale.

Top 10 Counts

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	438,000(73 BB)
MP Marko PuskadijaCroatia	422,000(70 BB)
HC Hareesh ChallaIndia	329,000(55 BB)
JM John MatsudaJapan	324,000(54 BB)
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	299,000(50 BB)
RM Riener Magbutay Philippines	270,000(45 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	246,000(41 BB)
FP Finn PenderakGermany	228,000(38 BB)
AR Andrew Rogers (2)United States of America	219,000(37 BB)
TI Takumi IwanadeJapan	206,000(34 BB)

Lawford Edwards Bubbling Day 1A

The Day's Action

The first flight had plenty of bad beats and sick runouts; early in the day, Lukasz Jankowski found a lifeline when he shoved with ace-jack suited on a board featuring three diamonds, successfully cracking his opponent's two pair to scoop a massive pot.

The defending champ, Gopez, kept the pressure high throughout the flight. He steadily grew his stack by turning a set of threes in a hefty pot against Ruiqi Song. Later, Gopez added to his lead by ending Seunghee Park’s day. After calling a three-bet shove with ace-ten against Park’s pocket queens, Gopez caught an ace on the turn to move ahead and hold steady through the river, leaving the table to acknowledge the difficulty of taking down the reigning champion. In the first hand of the bubble, Hechanova also managed to find some breathing room, doubling up with pocket aces against ace-seven to ensure his survival into Day 2.

That concludes our coverage for Day 1A - you can read the full recap of the day's action via this link, or by navigating to our homepage. Make sure to tune back into the live reporting page tomorrow at 12:00 PM local time, for all the updates as they happen, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more video coverage and highlights from the floor!

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 4:34:20 PM

Flight A Has Wrapped Up

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

A total of 157 entries filled up the tables at the PokerStars Live poker room at the Okada Manila for Flight A of the Manila Megastack 24 Main Event. Only the top 24 survivors found a bag to continue their campaign to the Day 2 final and are guaranteed a minimum cash.

Stay tuned for a recap of the day's events. Meanwhile, feel free to check the official Somuchpoker socials in Instagram and Facebook.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 4:24:12 PM

Lawford Edwards Is The Bubble Boy!

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

Lawford Edwards

Lawford Edwards put his last 90,000 or so at risk and was matched by Isaac Hechanova in the hopes of bursting the bubble.

Lawford Edwards: A♠ J♥

Isaac Hechanova: A♣ Q♠

The board ran clean with 4♦ 8♠ 3♠ 6♥ 4♠, giving Hechanova the win and sending Edwards out as the bubble boy.

The remaining 24 players made it in the money and advance to the Day 2 Final on Sunday, March 8.

Player	Chips
IH Isaac HechanovaPhilippines	306,000(51 BB)
EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 4:01:54 PM

Hechanova's Rockets Boost A Double

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

Isaac Hechanova

On the bubble, Isaac Hechanova risked his last 110,000 chips and was looked up by Thomas Lee, hoping to be the one to burst the bubble.

Isaac Hechanova: A♥ A♣

Thomas Lee: A♦ 7♠

The board ran out 2♣ 6♦ 3♥ Q♣ 3♣

Lee was drawing dead on the turn and Hechanova earned a much-needed double up and some breathing space.

Player	Chips
IH Isaac HechanovaPhilippines	235,000(39 BB)
TL Thomas LeeCanada	135,000(23 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 3:59:31 PM

We Are On The Bubble

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

Aurimas Brazinskis busted on the soft bubble, and following his elimination, the tournament director has announced hand-for-hand play with one more elimination to go before Flight A concludes.

Player	Chips
AB Aurimas BrazinskisLithuania	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 3:48:45 PM

Song Makes A Hit

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

Riener Magbutay

Ruiqi Song went almost allin for 59,000, leaving a 1,000 chip behind. Riener Magbutay made the call.

The flop came Q♣ 6♠ Q♥

Magbutay threw in a 1,000 bet to ask for Song's lst chip. Song obliged.

Ruiqi Song: A♣ Q♦

Riener Magbutay K♥ J♥

Song flopped trips and went on to earn an important double after the runout of 5♦ 7♦.

Player	Chips
RM Riener Magbutay Philippines	235,000(39 BB)
RS Ruiqi SongChina	136,000(23 BB)

Ruiqi Song

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

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 26/157

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 3:31:52 PM

Last Break

Break

There are 26 players remaining with two more eliminations until the remaining 24 advance to day 2 and make it in the money.

There is a short 10-minute break before play resumes.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 3:10:03 PM

Jankowski Bounces Back

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

Lukasz Jankowski

Gabhann Mac opened for 10,000 from the hijack. On the small blind, Lukasz Jankowski moved all in for 108,000.

Fendy Kosasih tanked on the big blind and considered it, but eventually folded. Mac did a quick chip assessment before finally pushing a stack forward to call.

Lukasz Jankowski: A♣ K♠

Gabhann Mac: A♠ Q♥

Board ran clean with 2♠ 2♣ 6♣ 8♦ 3♦, giving Jankowski the double up while doing some damage to Mac.

Kosasih said, "I would've won. I folded pocket tens."

Mac said, "If you called, you would've saved me."

Kosasih explained, "You raised, he shoved... I can't call with you still there."

Player	Chips
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	228,000(46 BB)
GM Gabhann MacIreland	95,000(19 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 2:51:40 PM

Poker Gods Answer Geronimo's Request

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

Manuel Geronimo

Manuel Geronimo open-jammed for his last 53,500 from early position and was matched by Lukasz Jankowski.

Manuel Geronimo: A♣ J♣

Lukasz Jankowski A♠ J♠

Both had nearly the same cards, and while Jankowski remained quiet, Geronimo requested, "Clubs!"

The flop peeled a 4♣ 2♥ 6♥ and it looked like it was headed for a split pot.

However, the dealer gave a T♣ on the turn, making Geronimo request a little louder - "Clubs!"

The poker gods granted his wish and threw a 7♣ on the river, giving him a crucial double.

Player	Chips
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	121,000(24 BB)
MG Manuel GeronimoPhilippines	119,000(24 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 2:16:45 PM

Brazinskis Lucks Out On Mac

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

Aurimas Brazinskis

Gabhann Mac of Ireland opened for 9,000 from under the gun. A few seats down, Lithuania's Aurimas Brazinskis moved all in for his last 65,000.

Mac made the call.

Aurimas Brazinskis A♥ J♠

Gabhann Mac J♦ J♥

The flop came K♥ T♦ 2♠ , giving Brazinskis a gutshot straight draw.

The Q♠ turn completed his Broadway straight, leaving Mac drawing dead. The 9♦ improved Mac to a straight, but not enough to beat Brazinskis, who earned a double up to get some breathing space.

Player	Chips
AB Aurimas BrazinskisLithuania	140,000(35 BB)
GM Gabhann Mac	134,000(34 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 1:59:51 PM

Gopez Damages Song

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

Edilberto Gopez

Edilberto Gopez was on the small blind and was up against Ruiqi Song on the button.

There was a complete board of 3♦ A♥ 2♦ 5♥ 6♣ beside a massive pot of over 130,000.

Gopez acted first and fired 75,000. Song tanked, stared at the board for a long time, wondered whoever counted the 7,200 islands of the Philippines, then counted out the chips to make a call.

Gopez turned over 3♥ 3♣ for a set of threes, while Song mucked his hand slowly back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	277,000(92 BB)
RS Ruiqi SongChina	86,500(29 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 1:41:29 PM

A Dozen More

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

Kim Enriquez

There are 36 players still fighting for the 24 spots to continue on to Day 2 and make it in the money.

Some of those who recently fell short included the likes of Jinhyun Kim, Michael Lech, Kim Enriquez, Dakota Anderson and Ryuki Mori.

Player	Chips
JK Jinhyun KimSouth Korea	busted
ML Michael LechUnited States of America	busted
KE Kim EnriquezPhilippines	busted
DA Dakota AndersonUnited States of America	busted
RM Ryuki Mori	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 1:30:14 PM

Puskadija Tops Chip Leader Board

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

Marko Puskadija

Marko Puskadija of Croatia has made his way to the top of the chip leader board with 316,000 chips, an is the only one so far to cross the 300K milestone.

Here are some of the big stacks we saw around the room.

Player	Chips
MP Marko PuskadijaCroatia	316,000(105 BB)
RS Ruiqi SongChina	264,000(88 BB)
SK Sergei KorzhenkoRussia	256,000(85 BB)
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	209,500(70 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 1:23:44 PM

Short Break

Break

There are still 41 players remaining and will take a short break. Seventeen more eliminations are needed before the top 24 advance to Day 2 and make it in the money.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 1:08:53 PM

Gopez Ends Park's Run

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

Seunghee Park

Edilberto Gopez, the Manila Megastack 23 Main Event champion, opened for 6,000 from early position and Seunghee Park three-bet jammed for 52,000.

Gopez made a quick count assessment and eventually pushed the chips to call.

Seunghee Park: Q♥ Q♦

Edilberto Gopez A♠ T♦

The flop of T♥ J♦ 9♥ gave Gopez a pair, but Park still stayed ahead with an open-ended straight to add to his draws.

The dealer peeled open a A♦ on the turn, giving Gopez two pair. Park needed a miracle on the river, but the 4♥ was a brick, sending him out to the rail.

Riener Magbutay, seated at the same table, commented in Filipino "It's hard to take down the defending Main Event champion."

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	207,000(83 BB)
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 12:35:10 PM

Yashiro Mistimed His Bluff

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

Naoki Yashiro

Naoki Yashiro and Marco Espela were looking at a pot of around 45,000 with a board that showed 7♠ J♠ 2♦ Q♣

Yashiro was on the small blind and fired a bet of 10,000. Espela made the call to open a K♥ on the river.

Yashiro barrelled in another 35,000. Espela made a quick damage assessment before finally making the call.

Yashiro turned over A♠ 4♣ for nothing while Espela showed J♥ J♦ for a set of jacks.

While we were counting the stacks, Benhur Ybarsabal commented, "Marco Espela, the legend." - perhaps trying to influence what we would write about him.

Player	Chips
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	164,000(66 BB)
NY Naoki YashiroJapan	61,000(24 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 12:28:16 PM

Marzan Doubles, Verbruggen Falls Out

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

Edwin Marzan

Action folded to Edwin Marzan on the button, who risked his last 10,000 chips. Tom Verbruggen was on the small blind and also pushed his last 12,500 in the middle.

Jayvon Carreon was on the big blind and had a monster stack and also made the call.

Edwin Marzan: K♥ T♠

Tom Verbruggen: Q♠ 7♠

Jayvon Carreon: 9♣ 5♣

The flop came 2♦ 8♦ T♥ to extend Marzan's lead.

The K♦ turn gave Marzan the win. Verbruggen still had hopes to keep alive, but the river was a 5♦, pairing up Carreon to end Verbruggen's run.

Player	Chips
JC Jayvon CarreonPhilippines	146,000(73 BB)
EM Edwin MarzanPhilippines	35,000(18 BB)
TV Tom VerbruggenNetherlands	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 12:03:12 PM

Jung Bites Back With A Shove

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

Kyungsun Jung

Slaven Popov limped for 2,000 from under the gun. Kyungsun Jung raised it to 6,000 on the next seat. John Matsuda then re-raised it to 17,000.

Action folded back to Jung who counted off his chips and declared all-in for 58,000, prompting Matsuda to announce fold immediately.

Jung said, "You want to see?"

Matsuda replied, "No" shielding his eyes with his hands and looking away from Jung.

After a moment, we asked Matsuda what he was listening to in his fancy headphones. He pulled out his phone and said - "A few OPM (Original Philippine Music) and a lot of Gypsy Kings."

Player	Chips
JM John MatsudaJapan	120,500(60 BB)
KJ Kyungsun JungSouth Korea	86,000(43 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 11:53:53 AM

Two Dozen Players Needed

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

With registration closing at 157 entries, the tournament director has announced that only the top 24 survivors from Flight A will be making it in the money and continuing their Main Event campaign on Day 2.

There are currently 56 players still in competition.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 11:50:06 AM

Chop Chop

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

Marco Espela

Kai Loon Ang of Singapore and Marco Espela of the Philippines were looking at a lucrative pot of around 37,000 with a flop that showed 7♥ J♦ 4♦

Both checked the T♦ turn to open a 6♣ on the river.

And was on the lowjack and led out for 16,000. Espela took a peek at his cards and made the call from the button.

Ang showed K♦ J♣ for a pair of jacks while Espela showed a tying hand of K♥ J♠, causing the dealer to split the pot and award both.

Player	Chips
ME Marco EspelaPhilippines	95,000(63 BB)
KL Kai Loon AngSingapore	62,000(41 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 11:17:09 AM

Song Leads The Pack

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

Ruiqi Song

Registration has officially closed with the total number of registrants at 156 with 60 still at the tables.

A quick scan around the room during the break showed that Ruiqi Song of China holding the chip lead with roughly 220,000 chips.

Here are some random big stacks:

Player	Chips
RS Ruiqi SongChina	220,000(147 BB)
HC Hareesh Challa	208,000(139 BB)
NY Naoki YashiroJapan	205,000(137 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	160,000(107 BB)
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	154,000(103 BB)
JM John MatsudaJapan	147,600(98 BB)
FK Fendy KosasihIndonesia	141,000(94 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 11:15:48 AM

Short Break

Break

There are 58 players still remaining with registration set to close after the 10-minute break. So far, there are a total of 154 registrants.

Remaining Players: 62/152

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 10:45:33 AM

Gopez's Straight Busts Suzuki

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

Edilberto Gopez

A pot of over 25,000 was in the middle with a completed board that showed 5♣ Q♠ T♥ J♣ 3♥

Competing in the hand were Edilberto Gopez of the Philippines and Muneyasu Suzuki of Japan.

Gopez was first to act on the big blind and moved all in for his last 25,100, covering the remaining 18,800 of Suzuki on the button.

Suzuki tanked a bit, took a look at his cards and pushed in a chip to call.

Gopez turned over 9♣ 8♣ for a straight while Suzuki showed J♥ T♣ for two pair and was heartbroken to have been sent to the rail.

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	70,400(59 BB)
MS Muneyasu Suzuki	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 10:20:18 AM

Verbruggen Makes Improvements

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

Tom Verbruggen

Tom Verbruggen of the Netherlands jumped in late in Level 8 and had his stack down to around 13,000.

In this recent hand, Edwards Lawford of Australia opened for 2,500 from under the gun. Verbruggen three-bet to 7,500 from the cutoff. Lawford made the call.

The dealer fanned a flop of K♦ 2♦ 7♣

Lawford checked over to Verbruggen, who didn't shy from pushing in a 6,000 bet. Lawford immediately folded, awarding the pot to Verbruggen, who is making improvements to his stack.

Player	Chips
EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	108,500(90 BB)
TV Tom VerbruggenNetherlands	41,500(35 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 9:56:45 AM

Challa Sends Senuma To The Rail

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

Hareesh Challa

Hidetoshi Senuma was under the gun and moved all in for his last 21,400. Hareesh Challa also shoved all in from the cutoff, easily covering the stacks of those to act after. No one else dared.

Hidetoshi Senuma: A♠ J♠

Hareesh Challa: A♦ K♣

The board completed 5♦ 8♠ 7♥ 9♥ 7♣

Senuma couldn't improve and had to give up his chair while Challa continued to improve his stack.

Player	Chips
HC Hareesh Challa	132,000(110 BB)
HS Hidetoshi SenumaJapan	busted

Hidetoshi Senuma

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 9:51:39 AM

Jankowski's Nut Flush Gets Paid In Full

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

Lukasz Jankowski

Lukasz Jankowski of Poland sat on the small blind and was up against Ryuki Mori on the cutoff.

Both players had a pot of over 24,000 in the middle with a complete board that showed 9♦ 3♥ 3♦ 4♦ A♠

Jankowski shoved his last 29,000 chips in the middle and risked his Main Event campaign.

Mori tanked, counted the chips to assess the possible damage and threw in a chip a to call.

Jankoswki flipped over A♦ J♦ for the nut flush, while Mori could only show T♥ T♦ for two pair.

Player	Chips
LJ Lukasz JankowskiPoland	82,500(83 BB)
RM Ryuki Mori	43,400(43 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 9:37:19 AM

Jung Shows Fedyk The Exit

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

Kyungsun Jung

The pot had reached over 20,000 and the complete board showed 4♦ K♦ 4♣ 3♥ K♥

Competing for the pot were Nazariy Fedyk and Kyungsun Jung.

Jung acted first and pushed his remaining 20,000 all in, covering the remaining 18,000 of Fedyk.

Fedyk tanked and eventually risked his tournament life with a call.

Jung turned over K♣ J♦ for a full house while Fedyk showed 9♠ 9♣ , which was not good enough, sending him out to the rail.

Player	Chips
KJ Kyungsun JungSouth Korea	69,300(69 BB)
NF Nazariy FedykUkraine	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 9:05:14 AM

Park Takes Chip Leader Crown

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Seunghee Park

There are still 82 players with chips from a total of 132 registrants. A quick scan around the poker area showed Seunghee Park as the chip leader with 139,200 chips.

These are the top five stacks:

Player	Chips
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	139,200(174 BB)
FK Fendy KosasihIndonesia	129,400(162 BB)
RM Ryuki Mori	115,600(145 BB)
JO Justin OngPhilippines	114,200(143 BB)
HC Hareesh Challa	112,800(141 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 8:56:15 AM

Geronimo Busts Bae

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Manuel Geronimo

Manuel Geronimo opened for 1,800 from under the gun and Wonil Bae moved all in for his last 9,700 chips.

Action folded back to Geronimo, who made the easy call.

Wonil Bae: A♠ Q♠

Manuel Geronimo A♥ K♠

The flop came K♦ T♠ A♦ giving Geronimo two pair, but Bae still had outs with a gutshot straight draw.

The turn was a 7♠ , giving Bae outs with a flush and sweating Geronimo.

The Q♣ on the river was a sigh of relief for Geronimo while it was heartbreak for Bae.

Player	Chips
MG Manuel GeronimoPhilippines	71,800(90 BB)
WB Wonil BaeSouth Korea	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 8:36:25 AM

Ford Catches Hechanova's Bluff

Level 7: 400 / 800 ante: 800

Adam Ford

Isaac Hechanova of the Philippines and Adam Ford of Australia were looking at a flop of 5♠ A♣ 2♥ beside a juicy pot of around 14,000.

Ford was the first to act and checked his option over to Hechanova, who pushed in 3,800 on the button. Ford matched and the dealer peeled open a 4♦ on the turn.

Both players checked to open up a K♦ on the river.

Ford led out for 6,500 and, after a long tank, Hechanova raised it to 15,500. Ford made the snap call.

Hechanova showed Q♣ 8♣ for not much of anything while Ford turned over A♠ Q♥ for top pair to scoop the pot.

Player	Chips
AF Adam FordAustralia	71,600(90 BB)
IH Isaac HechanovaPhilippines	41,300(52 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 8:09:49 AM

Honor The Fallen

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Cameron Battikha

A total of 90 are still in contention from the 124 registrants. Some of the recent eliminations included the likes of Yuki Homma, Cameron Battikha, Seyoon Lim, Xianmeng Randy Zhang, Nikolai Babushkin, Jiaxian Ye, Youngmin Kang, Daniel Martin Nover, Rudolf Mitja, Petr Koula, Oliver Lirio, Akihiro Kawaguchi and Shih-Hung Yang.

It seems none of these payers fired another bullet this flight. Maybe in the other remaining flights, we'll see them back again.

Player	Chips
YH Yuki HommaJapan	busted
CB Cameron BattikhaCanada	busted
SL Seyoon LimSouth Korea	busted
XR Xianmeng Randy Zhang	busted
NB Nikolai BabushkinRussia	busted
JY Jiaxian YeChina	busted
YK Youngmin KangSouth Korea	busted
DM Daniel Martin Nover	busted
RM Rudolf MitjaSlovenia	busted
PK Petr KoulaCzech Republic	busted
OL Oliver LirioPhilippines	busted
AK Akihiro KawaguchiJapan	busted
SY Shih-Hung Yang	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 7:52:57 AM

Mirchandani Pressures Del Rosario

Level 6: 300 / 600 ante: 600

Sandeep Mirchandani

Hong Kong's Sandeep Mirchandani and Fil-American Anton Del Rosario built a pot of around 16,000 with a board that showed 4♠ K♥ 7♠ 6♥

Del Rosario was first to act under the gun, but tapped his option over to Mirchandani, who didn't hesitate to fire 11,000 across the betting line.

Del Rosario tanked, took a last look at his cards, then bid them farewell as he sent it back to the muck.

Following the hand, Mirchandani asked Del Rosario, "Are you Karen's husband?"

To which Del Rosario confusedly asked, "Karen?"

Mirchandani - "Karen, a poker player. You look very familiar."

Del Rosario said "No. Not me."

Someone added, "he (referring to Del Rosario) is famous for being a footballer."

In fact, Del Rosario represented the Philippine National Men's Team and has been a fixture for Philippine football in the local premier league among other things. Del Rosario won't consider himself a poker pro, but he has recorded several cashes in the APT, including a win in a Hyper Turbo Bomb Pot event. His biggest cash was a second place finish in the NLH Monster Stach during APT Manila back in 2015.

Meanwhile, Mirchandani has a decent haul of over USD 56,000 in total live earnings with a recent win during the Manila Super Series 23 in January this year, where he topped the Mystery Big Bounty.

Player	Chips
SM Sandeep MirchandaniHong Kong	47,300(79 BB)
AD Anton Del RosarioUnited States of America	23,800(40 BB)

Anton Del Rosario

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 7:25:20 AM

Heads Up With Fendy Kosasih

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

Fendy Kosasih

We had a chance to talk with Fendy Kosasih during the break, where he confessed to just starting playing tournament poker in September last year. With a little over 6 months of live tournament experience, Kosasih explained how he finished third in his first ever tournament, then topped his second tournament.

Definitely, not a bad way to start a poker career.

You can catch the live interview with Fendy Kosasih at the Somuchpoker Instagram or Facebook.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 7:07:31 AM

More Big Names Jumping In

Level 5: 200 / 500 ante: 500

John Matsuda

Rene Mar "Revo" David

Several players jumped in during the first break, bringing up the total number of registrants to 105 with 89 still with chips and a seat.

Some of the bigger names that were seen at the registration counter here at the PokerStars Live poker room at the Okada Manila include the likes of Filipino John Matsuda, who has over USD 843,000 in total live earnings. Matsuda recently boosted that with two cashes in this series , including a 3rd place finish in the PHP 15,000 NLH - Double Stack two days ago.

Rising grinder Rene Mar "Revo" David of the Philippines has also booked a seat. David has over USD 239,000 in total live earnings with a Main Event title under his belt that he won during the Philippine Poker Tournament series in April 2025. His biggest score, however, was a 2nd place finish in the Main Event of Manila Megastack 20 for nearly USD 40,000. David certainly has main event experience.

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 7:00:57 AM

Break!

Break

Players are on a quick 10-minute break. So far, Justin Ong sits at the chip leader throne with Fendy Kosasih not far behind. Both players are the only ones so far who have crossed the 100K mark.

Player	Chips
JO Justin OngPhilippines	122,800
FK Fendy KosasihIndonesia	110,600

Break

10 minutes

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 6:10:25 AM

Yang Cracks Li's Kings

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Shih Hung Yang

Lok Ching Li of Australia and Shih Hung Yang of Taiwan were starting at a pot of 13,000 beside a board that showed J♥ 4♠ 3♥ 8♠

After the turn was dealt, Yang was the first to act and pushed his last 13,700 at risk. Li made the snap call.

When the cards went on their backs. Li showed a formidable K♠ K♣ , but was behind the 4♦ 4♥ of Yang which made a set of fours.

The river T♦ bricked for Li, leaving him crippled with crumbs.

Player	Chips
SH Shih Hung YangTaiwan	42,400(141 BB)
LL Li Lok ChingAustralia	5,000(17 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 5:47:47 AM

Justin Ong Leading The Pack

Level 3: 100 / 300 ante: 300

Justin Ong

There are 62 players still in their seats out of the 70 total registrants so far. A quick scan around the room showed Justin Ong with a commanding chip lead at 96,700, more than tripling the starting stack of 30,000 within 3 levels.

Ong was a Main Event champion during APPT Manila back in July 2025 and is certainly putting his winning experience to his advantage.

Player	Chips
JO Justin OngPhilippines	96,700(322 BB)

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 5:12:34 AM

Recent Busts

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Seunghee Park

A total of 58 players have registered so far with 53 players still in their seats. Even with the low blinds, the action hasn't slowed anything down with a few eliminations already heating things up.

Rachel Bellard, Malcolm Robinson, Koichi Sakamoto, David Saab and Seunghee Park took early exits. However, Bellard, Saab and Park fired another bullet to get back in the hunt.

Player	Chips
RB Rachel BellardNew Zealand	30,000(150 BB)
DS David SaabAustralia	30,000(150 BB)
SP Seunghee ParkSouth Korea	30,000(150 BB)
MR Malcolm Robinson	busted
KS Koichi Sakamoto	busted

JJ DuqueJJ Duque

3/5/2026, 5:09:46 AM

Some Notables On The Felt

Level 2: 100 / 200 ante: 200

Rachel Bellard

Fendy Kosasih

A total of 39 players have signed up so far for the first flight of the Manila Megastack 24 Main Event.

Some of the notables taking their seats at the PokerStars Live poker room at Okada Manila include the likes of Rachel Bellard from New Zealand. Bellard has a decent total live earnings of over USD 123,000 and has already made her mark in this series with 3 cashes that include two final table appearances.

Her best finish so far was a fourth place finish in the PHP 25,000 NLH Superstack. Bellard also has a PokerStars spadie under her belt, winning the Ladies Event during Manila Megastack 22.

Indonesia's Fendy Kosasih has also taken a seat. Kosasih has made Manila his home and has already raked in over USD 283,000 since he took poker professionally last September. He made his mark by winning the High Roller Warmup during the APPT Manila Championship last October, then baggeded the APPT High Roller title a few days after.

Kosasih's biggest career score, however, was a 3rd place finish in the High Roller Superstar Challenge during APT Jeju 2026, where he pocketed a cool USD 157,825.

The local pros are also holding their ground with the likes of Vamerdino Magsakay and Justin Ong in the roster.

Magsakay boasts over USD 1.5 million in total live earnings, while Ong holds a APPT Main Event title, booked during APPT Manila in July last year.

Callum JuryCallum Jury

3/5/2026, 4:24:48 AM

Cards in the Air!

Level 1: 100 / 100 ante: 100

Day 1A of the Manila Megastack 24 Main Event is officially underway. Stay tuned for live updates, chip counts and all the action as the day progresses!

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

3/4/2026, 9:25:03 PM

The Road To Glory Manila Megastack 24 Main Event Officially Starts

The action officially kicks off today at Okada Manila as the first flight of the Manila Megastack 24 Main Event gets underway at 12:00 PM local time. The event carries a PHP 45,000 (~USD 770) buy-in and a PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 342,000) guaranteed prize pool, offering players a deep and well-structured tournament to start the marquee action.

Players begin with a 30,000 starting stack, equivalent to 300 big blinds at Level 1, alongside 40-minute blind levels. Late registration remains open for 9 levels, closing just before the start of Level 10 at approximately 7:10 PM local time.

At Manila Megastack 23, the Main Event proved to be a massive success after the initial PHP 20,000,000 guarantee soared to PHP 33,392,250 (~USD 571,000). It was local pro Edilberto Gopez who took home the trophy and the biggest piece of the prize pool worth PHP 5,750,000 (~USD 98,490).

In addition to the cash, top finishers will receive added value through APPT packages. The winner will receive an APPT Championship Package valued at PHP 210,000, while the 2nd and 3rd place finishers will each receive an APPT Manila 2026 Package valued at PHP 150,000. Players finishing 4th through 9th will each earn an APPT Super Qualifier Seat valued at PHP 9,000.

Approximately 13% to 15% of the field will be paid based on PokerStars payout structures. Play for Flight A will continue until the money (ITM) is reached, at which point all surviving players will bag their chips and secure a spot for Day 2.

Best of luck to all players in today’s action.

Somuchpoker is on-site for Manila Megastack 24 at Okada Manila, delivering live updates and exclusive coverage straight from the tournament floor.

Event starts 12:00 local time..