Manila Megastack 24: A Community-Driven Festival of Records and Results

Originally from the UK’s Lake District, Callum Jury has carved out a niche as a premier live reporter across the Southeast Asian poker circuit. Since 2025, he has delivered high-level coverage for major brands like the APT, PokerStars, and the WSOP, blending a background in business with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling. As a key member of the Somuchpoker team, Callum uses his sharp eye for photography and media to bridge the gap between technical hand histories and the raw human drama of a high-stakes deep run.

Updated: 2026.03.10

Whenever Manila Megastack rolls around, there is a collective agreement among players, fans, and industry workers that PokerStars LIVE events feel like more than just a poker tournament; they have a strong community feel. Manila Megastack 24 was no different.

Across 13 days inside the grand Okada Manila poker room, local grinders and international pros congregated to compete for a collective prize pool of approximately $1,600,000—more than double the total guarantee—spread over 78 events. By the time all the iconic ‘Spadie’ trophies were handed out when the festival wrapped up on Monday, March 9th, a total of 6,846 total entries had been logged across 50 represented countries.

Marvin Cerbito Logs a Career-Defining Main Event Win

Manila Megastack 24

The headline of the Manila Megastack 24 Main Event belonged to the Philippines ‘ own Marvin Cerbito , who outlasted a staggering 848-entry field to secure the title. The flagship event drew 403 unique players from 43 countries, once again proving Okada Manila is a world-class destination for competitive international lineups and massive prize pools.

Cerbito’s victory not only marked a career milestone for the local favourite, but also served as a defining moment of the festival. Following his win, Cerbito reflected on the discipline required to navigate such a deep and challenging field.

“Winning always feels great, but not all wins are the same. This felt different; it was a challenging accomplishment that brought a sense of relief and immense pride to be recognized as a champion here.”

When asked about his strategy, Cerbito emphasized the importance of patience.

“I stuck to playing only strong hands and tried to avoid unnecessary showdowns against the big stacks early on.”

As he began to build up his stack throughout the day, he shifted gears, employing timely aggression to pressure shorter stacks. His ability to adapt under pressure, as well as his patience in waiting for the right spots, ultimately sent him to the winner’s circle and secured him the ₱5,750,000 (~$99,880) top prize.

#49 Main Event (45,000 PHP)

Total Prize USD

$578,670

Total Prize

₱33,313,680

Guaranteed

₱20,000,000

Entries

848

ITM

127

#	Payout	Player	SPI
1	₱5,750,000 $99,880	MC Marvin Cerbito Philippines	2,563.75
2	₱3,600,000 $62,535	GE Gleb Ershov Russia	1,812.85
3	₱2,570,000 $44,640	JP Jean Paul Berdejo Peru	1,480.18
4	₱1,980,000 $34,395	LK Leo Kamiya Australia	1,281.88
5	₱1,525,000 $26,490	JC Jayvon Carreon Philippines	1,146.55
6	₱1,170,000 $20,325	JN Jianyi Ni China	1,046.65
7	₱900,000 $15,635	RG Renniel Galvez Philippines	969.01
8	₱690,000 $11,985	CM Christopher Mateo Philippines	906.42
9	₱528,680 $9,185	JL Jonathan Looi Tek Wye Malaysia	854.58

Check the 127 Payouts & Results ...

John Matsuda Ends the Series with Three Podium Finishes

Single High Roller Winner - John. Matsuda, Event # 69 — Credit: PokerStars | Single High Roller Winner – John Matsuda

Local favourite John Matsuda also took a fair share of the spotlight during his time at the PokerStars LIVE room inside Okada Manila. The Japan-born, Philippines-based player secured two titles—the Single Day High Roller and the Shotclock event—alongside a third-place finish in the Double Stack . Matsuda also secured a deep run in the Main Event, finishing in a respectable 22nd place.

These victories build on an impressive career that boasts over $850,000 in total live earnings, including multiple APPT titles. Matsuda credits much of his development to PokerStars LIVE, noting that he spent the early days of his career grinding these events to hone his skills. We caught up with him during the Main Event to discuss his journey; you can see what he had to say in the clip below.

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Side Event Spotlight

PS-MM24-Stock Photos-25

Beyond the spotlight of the Main Event, the Manila Megastack 24 schedule was once again defined by a diverse mix of side events, cementing the series’ reputation as a hub for players of every discipline. Seunghee Park showcased his technical prowess by taking down both the Survivor Knockout and the Deep Stack event, while Robert Chorlian added to his extensive live resume by successfully navigating the field in the NLH 20/15/10 event to take the win.

Australia’s Emmanuel Derecho also proved to be a consistent force during Manila Megastack 24, racking up an impressive six cashes across the series. Derecho’s versatility was on full display as he navigated diverse fields to secure two titles: a victory in the Pot Limit Omaha event on March 1st and another title in the ₱50K PLO event on the same day.

In addition to his wins, Derecho’s deep runs included a 2nd-place finish in the 6-Handed NLH event on March 2nd, a 4th-place finish in the No Limit Hold’em event on March 3rd, and a 4th-place showing in the Mini High Roller on March 5th. His ability to consistently reach final tables across both No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha formats underscored a highly successful series for the Australian pro. When speaking to Somuchpoker, he noted that PokerStars LIVE events are a staple of his event calendar, adding that there are very few that he hasn’t attended.

You can watch Derecho’s full interview with us below.

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Manila Megastack 24 – By the Numbers

Manila Megastack 24

Manila Megastack 24 saw stable, consistent growth, logging 6,846 total entries, representing a 1.8% increase over MM23. The festival was bolstered by a strong intake of 384 first-time participants, with Japanese players forming a majority, further reinforcing the series’ appeal as a regional destination.

The diversity of the field remained a highlight, with participants ranging from regional regulars to internationally recognized players like Michael Lech and Selim Oulmekki . The event also saw a notable influx of Chinese participants, likely aided by the 14-day visa-free entry policy. With a total festival payout of ₱93,358,673 (including tickets), MM24 continues to draw players with strong tournament pedigrees, including APPT champions and longtime EPT regulars, ensuring the community remains as competitive as ever.