Kiwanont Sukhum Ships Manila Megastack 22 Main Event for PHP 3,410,000 (~USD 59,470)

I feel really good and tired honestly, this is my first time to win a Main Event trophy, so this is very big achievement for me. Patience is the key for this kind of long day tournament

The Manila Megastack 22 Main Event festivities at Okada Manila, Philippines has wrapped up with Thailand's Kiwanont Sukhum shipping the victory over the 652-entry field. Only 99 players returned back to the scene, all banking a share of the PHP 25,613,820 (~USD 446,695) prize pool.

While many walked away with a profit, only one rose to victory, with Sukhum coming on top of the final rounds to secure the trophy and the PHP 125,000 valued APPT package, in addition to his PHP 3,410,000 (~USD 59,470) guaranteed winnings. Sukhum was up against Manila Megastack 19 Main Event champion William Ysmael at the final showdown, and ultimately denied the former winner a second major title.

I knew this was going to be a long day, so I prepared myself and got enough sleep so I can focus on playing, and be patient and wait for good hands to play. My target was at least 7th place, but when I got momentum and kept winning, I knew I could ladder up to 3rd or bink the win.

Final Table Recap

Sukhum kicked off the final table with just a mere eleven big blinds and remained amongst the shortest throughout the early stages. Two local runners - James Dela Cruz and Ysmael stacked atop the ranks, leading the hunt for the initially listed PHP 4,820,000 (~USD 84,060) top prize. Dela Cruz set the tone early on, getting entangled in several pots to eventually deliver Tamon Nakamura’s elimination as the first final table casualty. Three more short stacks, Uday Duggal (8th), Moosung Lee (7th) and Wanhee Kang (6th), followed not long after, with the two Filipino contenders still remaining on top.

Sukhum’s momentum entirely shifted after delivering Suya Lee's exit in 5th place as the pocket pair clash landed him more room to breathe. Sukhum went on to make a smashing hero call at the expense of Dela Cruz, to in time finish him off in 4th, and rise to the lead.

Once three-handed was reached, an ICM deal was struck with all three remaining contenders guaranteed a PHP 3 million payout. Sukhum was granted the largest share for his minor chip advantage, and wasted no time picking up the aggression over his final two opponents. Cheolmin Byeon and Sukhum went head to head several times, until a third showdown saw Byeon finally succumb in third place. Sukhum extended his lead following the boost, bringing a 3:1 advantage into heads up play against Ysmael. 

Despite coming from behind, Ysmael put up a mighty fight, managing to take over the lead just minutes in. A pivotal ace-high race however, saw Sukhum catch a major double up and leave Ysmael crippled in the process. The final hand arrived on the felt a couple deals later, with Ysmael seen calling off his last four big blinds with king-six suited, only to fall against Sukhum’s ace-jack of hearts and settle for a runner up finish.

Manila Megastack 22 Main Event Review

• Date/s: March 20-23, 2024

• Buy-in: PHP 45,000 (~USD 775)

• Guarantee: PHP 20,000,000 (~USD 345,280)

• Entries: 652

• Prize pool: PHP 25,613,820 (~USD 446,695)

• ITM: 99 places

Backtrack on SMP Live Updates to relive the action

Minsoo Hwang Secures Third Series Win

South Korea's Minsoo Hwang put on an exceptional display during this season's Manila Megastack games, securing three trophy victories across the lineup. On the final day, Hwang shipped his largest score amongst the three at the Super Stack Turbo, bringing his total prizes to a smashing PHP 596,386 (~USD 10,380). A truly unbeatable performance, Hwang will definitely need extra baggage to carry home with three PokerStars spadies in tow.

• Event #28: 6 Handed - PHP 193,230 (~USD 3,350)

• Event #58: Turbo - PHP 168,876 (~USD 2,945)

• Event #72: Super Stack Turbo - PHP 234,280 (~USD 4,085)

Myunghwan Han Bests Survivor Knockout

Another Korean runner, Myunghwan Han, recently joined the winner’s circle with a last minute victory at the Survivor Knockout games. While Han missed to find success at the Main Event, his final day triumph pushed him well into the green, banking a PHP 340,000 (~USD 5,930) first place prize for coming out on top of the 152-entry field. In addition to his cash, Han eliminated eight players, bringing his total haul to PHP 715,000 (~USD 12,465).

Up Next At PokerStars LIVE

That wraps up the 22nd edition of the Manila Megastack. Up next at PokerStars LIVE is the Okada Manila Millions which runs from April 4-13, 2025. This is one of the most popular low-stakes festivals by the brand with buy-ins easy on the pocket.

Festival Highlights

• Main Event
  PHP 5 Million (~US$ 87,300) guarantee – PHP 8,000 (~US$ 140) buy-in
  April 10-13, 2025

• Mystery Bounty
  PHP 2 Million (~US$ 34,900) guarantee – PHP 12,500 (~US$ 220) buy-in
  April 4-6, 2025

• Okada Micro
  PHP 1 Million (~US$ 17,450) guarantee- PHP 4,500 (~US$ 80) buy-in
  April 7-9, 2025

Okada Manila Millions - Schedule