PokerStars Okada Manila Millions: Jose Colada clinches back to back Main Event titles; PJ Aratea, Wonjae Lee, Flo Campomanes among side winners

PokerStars LIVE Manila concluded its first live event of the calendar year with the 3rd edition of Okada Manila Millions taking place on January 3 to 9 at Okada Resort Hotel & Casino. Among the 14 players that walked away with brand new spade trophies, it was defending champion Jose “JC” Colada earning the highest honors for his back to back Main Event victory. Read up on Colada’s road to the top and all festival results down below.

Festival results

Grand total prize pool: ₱ 5,655,760 (~US$ 109,705)
Total entries: 1,599
Festival unique: 428
Countries: 18
Total winners: 14
Main Event prize pool: ₱ 3,370,013 (~US$ 65,370)
Biggest winner & payout: Jose Colada – ₱ 557,700

Main Event: JOSE COLADA – ₱ 492,700 (~US$ 9,560)

Despite the challenges posed by the current health crisis, the Main Event exceeded all expectations. Out of the three editions, it amassed the largest prize pool of ₱ 3,370,013 (~US$ 65,370) with 1,128 entries across seven entry flights. The largest turnout was at the Day 1F flight with 182 uniques and 104 re-entries for a total of 286 entries. After seven days of action, local player Jose “JC” Colada successfully defended his title to secure ₱ 492,700 (~US$ 9,560) in cash plus a seat worth ₱ 65,000 (~US$ 1,260) to the upcoming APPT Manila Main Event. Recap below.

Date: January 3 to 9
Buy in: ₱ 3,500 (~US$ 68)
Guarantee: ₱ 3,000,000 (~US$ 58,190)
Entries: 1,128
Prize pool: ₱ 3,370,013 (~US$ 65,370)
ITM: 135 players
*Four way ICM deal

Final day payouts – 56 players

Champion’s story and Main Event recap

Colada’s young live tournament career kicked off in 2020, just before the world went on lockdown, where he reached five final tables within a span of one month. During that time he bagged his first live win at the 2nd edition of Okada Manila Millions Main Event and pocketed a personal high payout of ₱ 700,000 (~US$ 13,870).

Returning this year, Colada fired two bullets in Day 1C but failed to advance. He tried his luck at Day 1D, and this time his second bullet was the charm, closing out the heat as chip leader.

Out of the 1,128 total entries, only 56 advanced to the final day. Just before the final two tables were formed, Philippine pro Lester Edoc fell in 19th place to China’s Yaoguo Wang with A-8 dominated throughout by A-10. Short stacked Algerico Tabacon (18th) was out next followed by pro player David Erquiaga in 17th place who bricked twice holding A-K. In turn, Erquiaga’s fall gave rise to Junnie Pamplona with nearly back to back double ups to zoom from around 10 BB to one of the chip leaders.

Down to two tables, heavy action unfolded at 13 remaining. Luis “Don Don” Bernardo scooped up a massive pot, shoving on a turn board with flush, called by Kenzo Mendoza with straight while Wang opted to fold and show (hand pictured above). Another crazy hand was the elimination of side event champion June Brix Nuestro in 10th place with nut flush rivered by South Korea’s Ji Eon Han’s full house on a board . Colada finished off short stacked Wang in 9th place to form the final table

The final chase kicked off with Bernardo as chip leader. At five handed, a cooler sent Colada soaring with doubled up huge by Han’s . Two hands later, Colada took the rest of Han’s stack, and after a couple of hands, a four way ICM deal was struck. From there, monster stacked Colada went on to crush the rest of his opponents to secure the back to back victory and the APPT Manila Main Event seat.

Event #1: Kickoff – Re-entry – PEE JAY ARATEA – ₱ 83,000 (~US$ 1,600)

The festival opened up featuring the ₱3K Kickoff event with 129 entries (101 uniques, 28 re-entries) to more than smash the ₱300K guarantee. The top 17 players earned a piece of the ₱ 330,343 (~US$ 6,408) prize pool. Pee Jay Aratea emerged victorious for his first known live victory. He defeated Rick Jason Ambata at heads up to collect a career high payout of₱ 83,000 (~US$ 1,600). For runner up Ambata, he earned ₱ 56,000 and went on to place 4th at the ₱2,500 No Limit Hold’em Single re-entry for ₱ 14,000.

Date: January 3
Buy in: ₱ 3,000 (~US$ 58)
Guarantee: ₱ 300,000 (~US$ 5,819)
Entries: 129
Prize pool: ₱ 330,343 (~US$ 6,408)
ITM: 17 places

Event #14: ₱6K NLH Superstack Re-entry – WONJAE LEE – ₱ 143,400 (~US$ 2,780)

The festival closer ₱6K NLH Superstack Re-entry also offered a guarantee of ₱500K and this too was surpassed with 109 entries for a pot of ₱ 558,254 (~US$ 10,829). South Korea’s Wonjae Lee shipped it for his first known live victory and ₱ 143,400 (~US$ 2,780). He was the only non-Filipino player to win a spadie at the series. Lee also cashed at the Main Event in 42nd place for ₱ 12,500.

Date: January 9
Buy in: ₱ 6,000
Guarantee: ₱ 500,000 (~US$ 9,698)
Entries: 109
Prize pool: ₱ 558,254 (~US$ 10,829)
ITM: 15 places

Other events

Event #3: ₱10K NLH Knockout Turbo Freezeout

Date: January 3
Buy in: ₱ 10,000 (~US$ 194)
Entries: 31
Prize pool: ₱ 264,616 (~US$ 5,133)
ITM: 5 places
Winner: KENDRICK TAN – Philippines – ₱ 75,000 (~US$ 1,455)

2nd Mike Takayama – Philippines – ₱ 51,700
3rd Wangming Li – China – ₱ 33,000
4th Pan Yao – China – ₱ 23,900
5th Harold Neal Ruaya – Philippines – ₱ 19,016

Event #4: ₱2,500 No Limit Hold’em Single Re-entry

Date: January 4
Buy in: ₱ 2,500 (~US$ 48)
Entries: 42
Prize pool: ₱ 89,528 (~US$ 1,737)
ITM: 6 places
Winner: JUNE BRIX NUESTRO – Philippines – ₱ 14,000* (~US$ 271)

2nd Richard Marquez – Philippines – ₱ 19,628*
3rd Cesario Corpuz – Philippines – ₱ 14,000*
4th Rick Jason Ambata – Philippines – ₱ 14,000*
5th Mike Takayama – Philippines – ₱ 14,000*
6th Joven Huerto – Philippines – ₱ 14,000*
*Six way payout deal

Event #5: ₱10K NLH Turbo Freezeout

Date: January 4
Buy in: ₱ 10,000 (~US$ 194)
Entries: 9
Prize pool: ₱ 76,824 (~US$ 1,490)
ITM: 3 places
Winner: ERIC ROY ANDRES – Philippines – ₱ 38,500 (~US$ 747)

2nd Sandro Bruni – Italy – ₱ 23,100
3rd Jiho Kim – South Korea – ₱ 15,224

Event #6: ₱2,500 PLO Knockout

Date: January 6
Buy in: ₱ 2,500 (~US$ 48)
Entries: 43
Prize pool: ₱ 91,672 (~US$ 1,778)
ITM: 6 places
Winner: RAPHAEL BERROYA BULAONG – Philippines – ₱ 16,600 (~US$ 322)

2nd Namsoo Lee – South Korea – ₱ 23,900
3rd Jody Kitchen – Canada – ₱ 10,600
4th Rodrigo Sequite – Philippines – ₱ 8,100
5th Nicholas John Woodward – UK – ₱ 6,400
6th Arnel Casquejo – Philippines – ₱ 4,662

Event #7: ₱10K NLH Turbo – Single re-entry

Date: January 5
Buy in: ₱ 10,000 (~US$ 194)
Entries: 8
Prize pool: ₱ 68,288 (~US$ 1,325)
ITM: 3 places
Winner: EDGAR ASEHAN – Philippines – ₱ 34,200 (~US$ 663)

2nd Harold Neal Ruaya – Philippines – ₱ 20,500
3rd Eden Dailo – Philippines – ₱ 13,588

Event #8: ₱5K NLH Shot Clock – Single Re-entry

Date: January 6
Buy in: ₱ 5,000 (~US$ 97)
Entries: 33
Prize pool: ₱ 140,844 (~US$ 2,732)
ITM: 7 places
Winner: JEFFREY PAMPLONA – Philippines – ₱ 20,844* (~US$ 404)

2nd Edwin Dela Cruz – Philippines – ₱ 20,000*
3rd Rodrigo Sequite – Philippines – ₱ 20,000*
4th Ronald Gorgonia – Philippines – ₱ 20,000*
5th Mike Takayama – Philippines – ₱ 20,000*
6th Emmanuel Segismundo – Philippines – ₱ 20,000*
7th Christopher Mateo – Philippines – ₱ 20,000*
*Seven way payout deal

Event #9: ₱10K NLH Hyper Turbo – Single re-entry

Date: January 6
Buy in: ₱ 10,000 (~US$ 194)
Entries: 8
Prize pool: ₱ 68,288 (~US$ 1,325)
ITM: 3 places
Winner: RONN RYAN MESINA – Philippines – ₱ 34,200 (~US$ 663)

2nd Sandro Bruni – Italy – ₱ 20,500
3rd Jeff Legarda – Philippines – ₱ 13,588

Event #10: ₱10K NLH Knockout

Date: January 7
Buy in: ₱ 10,000 (~US$ 194)
Entries: 22
Prize pool: ₱ 187,792 (~US$ 3,643)
ITM: 4 places
Winner: RICARDO TORRES – Philippines – ₱ 32,700 (~US$ 634)

2nd Anthony Castro – Philippines – ₱ 21,800
3rd Wendell Garcia – Philippines – ₱ 14,100
4th Ken How Voo – Malaysia – ₱ 9,192

Event #11: ₱20K NLH Shot Clock

Date: January 7
Buy in: ₱ 20,000 (~US$ 388)
Entries: 10
Prize pool: ₱ 174,600 (~US$ 3,387)
ITM: 3 places
Winner: FLORENCIO CAMPOMANES – Philippines – ₱ 73,350 (~US$ 1,423)

2nd Alan Honyin Tsang – USA – ₱ 66,250
3rd Edgar Asehan – Philippines – ₱ 35,000

Event #12: ₱15K NLH Freezeout

Date: January 8
Buy in: ₱ 15,000 (~US$ 291)
Entries: 8
Prize pool: ₱ 104,760 (~US$ 2,032)
ITM: 3 places
Winner: ROMMEL DONES – Philippines – ₱ 52,260 (~US$ 1,013)

2nd Arthur Soliano – Canada – ₱ 31,500
3rd Ronald Gorgonia – Philippines – ₱ 21,000

Event #15: ₱8K NLH Freezeout

Date: January 9
Buy in: ₱ 8,000 (~US$ 155)
Players: 19
Prize pool: ₱ 129,747 (~US$ 2,517)
ITM: 4 places
Winner: HAROLD NEAL RUAYA – Philippines – ₱ 45,000

2nd Emmanuel Segismundo – Philippines – ₱ 34,650
3rd Michael Manlapaz – Philippines – ₱ 34,650
4th Mansour Khorramsh – Iran – ₱ 15,447

Up next for PokerStars LIVE Manila

PokerStars LIVE Manila plans to return next month with the Manila Super Series running on February 20 to 27 however due to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the country, it remains subject to regulatory approval. Following that event, also awaiting the green light are APPT Open Manila which is scheduled for March 22 to 28, and the highly popular APPT Manila scheduled for July 29 to August 7. For those planning to attend, Covid-19 vaccination is required to enter the premises. Stay tuned for more updates.