Okada Manila Millions: Sean Manalon wins Main Event after four-way deal
PokerStars LIVE Asia completed its first event of the calendar year with the Okada Manila Millions crowning Philippine player Sean Manalon as its newest Main Event champion. After a four-way deal, Manalon bested highly decorated local pro Christopher Mateo at heads up for his first ever live win. He pocketed a career high PH₱ 465,000 (~$8,480) and an APPT Manila package worth PH₱ 100,000 (~$1,825)
A brief rundown of the Main Event, it drew 1,497 entries across seven starting heats with 184 reaching the money round. Day 1E attracted the largest crowd of 352 entries while Mongolia’s Baasandorj Davaanyam dominated Day 1C, racking up a monstrous stack to earn the overall chip lead entering Day 2. Davaanyam’s impressive run ended in 14th place for his first ever live tournament cash on Asian soil. Day 1G chip leader Zhiqiang Liu staged an even better run, reaching the final table for a 6th place finish.
The final five players were all from the Philippines. Jonald Garcia was first to go to collect PH₱ 150,000. He added those winnings to the PH₱ 96,500 he shipped at the 10K Knockout event. The remaining four players struck a deal that guaranteed each one PH₱ 465,000 then played for the APPT Manila package worth PH₱ 100,000. Among them was Bell John Perez who clinched the Manila Megastack 15 in November. He exited 4th followed by Ricardo Torres in 3rd. Manalon went on to defeat Mateo at heads up to lift his career first spadie.
For runner up Mateo, despite missing out on the main title, he still walked away a champion at the 15K Shot Clock for his seventh PokerStars trophy.
Buy in: PH₱ 3,500 (~$63)
Guarantee: PH₱ 3,000,000 (~$53,650)
Entries: 1,497
Prize pool: PH₱ 4,472,437 (~$ 81,600)
ITM: 184
Final table payouts
| 1 | Sean Manalon | Philippines | ₱565,000* |
| 2 | Christopher Mateo | Philippines | ₱465,000* |
| 3 | Ricardo Torres | Philippines | ₱465,000* |
| 4 | Bell John Perez | Philippines | ₱465,000* |
| 5 | Jonald Garcia | Philippines | ₱150,000 |
| 6 | Zhiqiang Liu | China | ₱105,000 |
| 7 | Lester Timonera | Philippines | ₱91,000 |
| 8 | Rodrigo Sequite | Philippines | ₱78,000 |
| 9 | Lemmor Patulot | Philippines | ₱67,437 |
*Four way deal, played for the APPT Manila PH₱ 100K package
Up next for PokerStars LIVE Asia
Next up for PokerStars LIVE Asia is the Manila Megastack which takes place from February 20 to 26 at Okada Manila. Now in its 16th installment, this mid-ranged festival has become one of the most popular series by the brand. In addition to a strong showing by the locals, it brings in a sizable international crowd. Buy ins range from PH₱ 4,500 to PH₱ 75,000. The Main Event features a PH₱ 10,000,000 guarantee. Stay tuned for the full schedule.
