Emanuel Florendo Wins Maiden Title At Manila Super Series 21 Main Event

The 21st edition of the Manila Super Series has concluded at Okada Manila, Philippines with games running from February 1 to 9, 2025. As one of the most popular low-stakes festival by PokerStars LIVE Manila, it attracted players from all over the country, awarding nearly ₱ 30 million (~$507,000) across the board. Let us give you the highlights.

Emanuel Florendo Wins Manila Super Series 21 Main Event

The Manila Super Series 21 Main Event was a dream come true for Filipino Emanuel Florendo who towered over the final table to clinch his maiden live title and the PokerStars spadie to prove it. Florendo secured his seat in the money round at Flight A, entering Day 2 wedged in the middle of the pack. In just over 30 levels of play, he overcame a field of 705 entrants to be crowned the champion.

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.

Interview With The Champion

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.

Be sure to check out the SMP Daily Live Updates for all of the action from start to finish.

Manila Super Series 21 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

Other Festival Highlights

From start to finish, the festival tables were action-packed as players vied for the top prizes and coveted spadies. The first major title was at the Warm Up Event where Canada's Christian Lortie outlasted the 283 entry field. Strong performance as well by FilipinoJiego Erquiaga finishing runner up but not before giving Lortie quite a scare.

Other big winners were USA's Fred Farbaud Feridoun at the Superstack, outlasting the 105 field for a cash payout of ₱282,350 (~$4,815). India's Acharya Anant closed out the Deepstack event by overcoming the 283 field for ₱356,780 (~$6,105). At the crowd favorite Mystery Bounty, French player Marc Gagne topped the competition while Filipino Anthony Castro pulled the biggest bounty. To close out the series, Russia's Nikolai Babushkinprevailed at the Mini Main Event for ₱203,880 (~$3,477).

Castro And Babushkin With Multiple Final Table Finishes

Without question, Filipino Anthony Castro and Russia's Nikolai Babushkin ran red hot at the series pulling in multiple final tables and cashes. For Castro, he started off with a 3rd place finish at the Warm Up, he proceeded to collect four more cashes, three were final table berth that included a victory. Additionally, Castro drew the largest bounty at the Mystery Bounty.

• 3rd place - Warm Up

• 15th place - Turbo

• 4th place - Deepstack

• 1st place - Survivor Knockout

• 6th place - Mystery Bounty

For Babushkin, he cashed seven times with a big victory at the Mini Main Event to close out the series.

• 5th place - Run It Twice Turbo

• 2nd place - Knockout

• 22nd place - Mystery Bounty

• 105th place - Main Event

• 6th place - NLH

• 1st place - Mini Main Event

Up Next: Manila Megastack 22

That concludes the second festival of PokerStars LIVE Manila for the season. Coming up next is the 22nd edition of the Manila Megastack with over ₱34 Million in guarantees. Festival runs from March 13 to 23 at Okada Manila, Philippines.