Thailand and Malaysia secure the money and advance to the PPWC Teams Event final day
It was make or break at the PPPoker World Championship – Teams Event. What started out as 10 teams yesterday saw only 8 advance to today’s round. Once again the goal was to rack up the highest number of points over three games: 6 Max SNG, Double Heads Up, and Heads Up, however this time only the top two teams would advance to the final day and most importantly, be guaranteed a sizable portion of the enormous PHP 10 Million (US$190,530) prize pool.
With big money on the line, tension was high.
In the end, it was Team Thailand and Team Malaysia that proved their might, accruing the most points to move on to the final day and be that much closer to the PHP 7 Million (US$133,700) first prize. Runner-up team takes home PHP 3 Million ($US57,300).
Teams Event recap
| TEAMS | 6 Max SNG | Heads Up | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 109 | 30 | 139 |
| Malaysia | 43 | 70 | 113 |
| Philippines | 70 | 40 | 110 |
| Australia | 98 | 0 | 98 |
| USA | 62 | 30 | 92 |
| Norway | 13 | 70 | 83 |
| Singapore | 71 | 0 | 71 |
| Brazil | 31 | 40 | 70 |
Team Thailand came out with guns blazing winning three 6 Max SNG games and runner-up in another. They entered the Double Heads Up and Heads Up round well on top though still not a shoe-in for a final day spot. Team Australia also did well in this round with two wins and two 2nd places to earn 98 points.
Team Philippines bubbles
Team Philippines and Team Singapore were the next two down the line, very close in points. Team Philippines – Jerick Almusajin faced off against Team Thailand – Kannapong Thannarattrakul – at the Heads Up round but after his loss, Thailand secured their spot into the money and the finals.
Team Australia’s strong start turned sour at the Heads Up rounds. They lost both of their bouts giving other chasing teams a chance to overtake. Team Malaysia did just that. They won both of their Heads Up rounds to go from a very low 6 Max SNG score to a total of 113 points.
As for Team Singapore, they too had their chance but fell flat on both final rounds for Team Malaysia to slide in and take the coveted second spot.
Team Thailand
Kannapong Thanarattrakul (captain)
Sittisak Phetroj
Metasit Pratipsangkom
Thanisorn Saelor
Chane Kampanatsanyakorn
Pakinai Lisawad
Sutipong Popitukkul
Wanchana Valaikanok
Thananat Therdtakoonrat
Team Malaysia
Ian Lee (captain)
Tan Kean Wei
Foo Lai Heng
Mak Wai Cheong
Loo Junzhong
Teoh Ming Juen
Teoh Ming Hong
Ying Lin Chua
Sebastian Tan Shi Ting
The Teams Event resumes tomorrow. Who will become the first-ever PPWC Team champion? Team Thailand or Team Malaysia? We will find out tomorrow!
Article by Tricia David
