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12:35AM: Kai Paulsen wins the MSE Main Event! 

Level 35 Blinds 80K-160K ante 20K

Geno Gendrano put up a strong bid for the title, even stealing the lead twice during the 1.5 hour heads up battle, but in the end, Kai Paulsen prevailed. The final hand saw both players all in on a board {4s}{5s}{6s}.

Paulsen {5c}{6d} two pair

Gendrano {9h}{6h} pair

The turn {7d} and river {2c} were not the outs Gendrano needed to end his run in 2nd place. He earned P616,247 for his efforts. 

Runner-up Geno Gendrano

Congratulations to Kai Paulsen! He captured the MSE Main Event title and shipped a cool P918,673.

12:25AM: Kai Paulsen back in the driver’s seat

Level 34 Blinds 60K-120K ante 20K

Geno Gendrano has lost two costly pots to bring himself down to 2M while Kai Paulsen zoomed to 7.7M. The first pot saw Gendrano raise to 300k, called by Paulsen. On the flop {jd}{3d}{6d}, both checked.  On the turn {8s}, Paulsen checked, Gendrano bet 300k, called. On the river {2d}, check by Paulsen, Gendrano bet 1.1M, called by Paulsen. Gendrano showed {5c}{7c} bluff, Paulsen won it with {jh}{9c} top pair.

Next hand, saw a turn board {10c}{2h}{10h}{9d} with Gendrano firing 360k. Paulsen check-called. On the river{jc}, Paulsen led for 450k, Gendrano called. Paulsen showed {10d}{5s} trips to scoop it up.

12:20AM: Geno Gendrano battles back and surpasses Paulsen

Level 34 Blinds 60K-120K ante 20K

The heads up has been quite thrilling with Geno Gendrano highly aggressive while Kai Paulsen cool and calm. Aggression just paid off with Gendrano winning a big pot to take the lead for the second time this round. Gendrano raised to 340k, Paulsen three-bet to 1.170M, Gendrano called. On the flop {qh}{3d}{8s} and {4s} turn, both checked. When the river felted {as}, Paulsen checked, Gendrano bet 700k, Paulsen called. Gendrano won it with {ac}{7c} to climb to 5.6M. Paulsen fell to 4.1M.

12:10AM: Kai Paulsen distancing 

Level 34 Blinds 60K-120K ante 20K

Kai Paulsen is now at 7.2M after having shoved on Geno Gendrano. The hand first saw Paulsen raise to 260k, Gendrano three-bet to 980k, Paulsen shoved. Gendrano folded while saying “You are a very tight player” then folded. Gendrano down to 2.55M.

12:00AM: Kai Paulsen grabs back the lead

Level 34 Blinds 60K-120K ante 20K

Catching the action on a full board {2h}{7h}{2s}{10s}{4s}, Kai Paulsen checked, Geno Gendrano laid out 250k, Paulsen answered with a 700k raise, called by Gendrano. Paulsen won it with {ks}{6s} flush. Paulsen retakes the lead with 6.3M, Gendrano drops to 3.4M.

11:50PM: Geno Gendrano takes the lead! 

Level 34 Blinds 60K-120K ante 20K

What an incredible grind by Geno Gendrano! He has commanded most of the action in this new level winning multiple pots to steal the lead. On one hand, he raised to 340k, Paulsen called. On the flop {jd}{ah}{3s}, he fired 300k and won it then and there.

Another hand, he called Paulsen’s 260k raise, and the flop came {js}{2s}{3h}. Gendrano led for 200k, Paulsen called. On the {10h} turn, same bet of 200k called by Paulsen. Then on the {5d} river, Paulsen folded to a 470k bet. Gendrano showed his {7s}{3s} small pair.

The hand sent him ahead saw a board {9s}{2s}{2c}{qc}{9c}. He shoved and Paulsen folded while showing his {2h} full house. Gendrano showed a {4c}. Paulsen at 4.7M, Gendrano at 5M.

11:35PM: Geno Gendrano southbound again

Level 34 Blinds 60K-120K ante 20K

Geno Gendrano went up but is on a downward swing again. His recent loss saw Kai Paulsen raise to 250k preflop which he called. On the flop {qs}{6s}{4h}, Gendrano checked, Paulsen c-bet 200k, Gendrano called. On the {as} turn, Gendrano check-folded a 300k bet. Gendrano downto 2.68M. Paulsen up to 7M.

11:30PM: Aggro Gendrano wins a fat pot

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

Geno Gendrano earned himself a sizable pot to climb up to 3.7M. He raised to 250k and Paulsen called.  On the flop {2s}{7d}{5h}, Paulsen checked to the aggressor Gendrano who fired 310k, called by Paulsen. On the {8s} turn, Paulsen checked, Gendrano sent out 520k, Paulsen called. Then on the river, Gendrano bet 1.2M and this time Paulsen changed up and check-folded.

11:25PM: Kai Paulsen grinding down Gendrano

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

After winning that huge double up, Geno Gendrano went on the back pedal while Kai Paulsen has been on the reverse. Paulsen has been grinding down his challenger with multiple pots claimed. Gendrano now sits with 3M, Paulsen up to 6.7M.

11:10PM: Geno Gendrano closing in, lands another boost

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

Geno Gendrano is closing the gap between him and the leader Kai Paulsen. He called Paulsen’s 200k raise and saw the flop land {2d}{3s}{5s}. Gendrano checked, Paulsen bet 200k, Gendrano called. On the turn {8h}, check again by Gendrano, Paulsen fired 350k, Gendrano jammed 1.85M, Paulsen asked for the count then called.

Gendrano {ac}{4d} straight

Paulsen {as}{5c}

The river {10h} sealed the win for Gendrano to double up to 4.3M. Paulsen dropped to 5.4M.

10:55PM: Geno Gendrano doubles up 

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

After several hands went by, we reached the first showdown of the heads up round. On a board {4s}{5h}{5s}{js}, Geno Gendrano ahead with {jh}{10c}, Kai Paulsen with {jc}{2h}, the river {6s} ensured the double up for Gendrano. He climbed to 2.2M. Paulsen at 7.5M.

10:46PM: Heads up! Kai Paulsen vs Geno Gendrano

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

After nearly 3 hours of three-handed action, we have now reached the heads up round. Kai Paulsen ahead with 7.9M, Geno Gendrano with 1.8M. A champion will soon be crowned!

10:45PM: Dexter Salmingo exits in 3rd place – P464,220

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

Dexter Salmingo – 3rd place

After losing the previous hand to Geno Gendrano, Dexter Salmingo was all in with {9s}{4s} and faced chip leader Kai Paulsen {ac}{5d} for his tournament life. Unlike Gendrano’s lucky streak, it was not to be for Salmingo as the board ran {qc}{7c}{3d}{5s}{4d}. He exited in 3rd place.

10:35PM: Geno Gendrano lands it on the river

Level 33 Blinds 50K-100K ante 10K

Geno Gendrano celebrates

Sb Geno Gendrano limped and bb Dexter Salmingo checked. On the flop {js}{7d}{8s}, Gendrano led for 170k, Salmingo raised to 450k, called by Gendrano. On the turn {jh}, check by Gendrano, 250k bet by Salmingo, Gendrano all in for 300k total, called by Salmingo.

Salmingo {jd}{3c} trips

Gendrano {6h}{5c} draw

The river {9d} granted Gendrano the straight and shipped a big double up to 1.8M. Salmingo dropped to 530k.

10:20PM: Good call by Kai Paulsen

Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Button Geno Gendrano raised to 270k, called by Kai Paulsen on the big blind. At the flop {7s}{jc}{6c}, checked by Paulsen, Gendrano c-bet 240k, called. On the turn {kh}, both checked to bring on the river {6d}. Paulsen checked again, Gendrano fired 550k, Paulsen called. Gendrano said good call while having to show his {4d}{5d} missed hand. Paulsen won the pot with {3h}{3c} low pair. Gendrano dropped to around 1.2M. Paulsen up to 6.7M.

10:10PM: Dexter Salmingo lands a double through Paulsen

Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Dexter Salmingo all in with his short 840k. Big stacked Kai Paulsen called. Salmingo with {ac}{4c}, Paulsen {kc}{jd}, the board felted {ad}{3h}{2h}{8d}{4s} for a double up to Salmingo. Paulsen dropped to 5.56M. Salmingo over 1.7M.

9:55PM: Geno Gendrano wins three shoves in a row

Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Geno Gendrano went on a shoving spree and won the next three consecutive hands to rise out of the hole and into second rank. His first shove was with {9c}{5h} and 122k in chips. Both Dexter Salmingo and Kai Paulsen

called and both checked down the board of {as}{5c}{2h}{jh}{5s}. Gendrano won with trips.

The next hand he had {6d}{8s} against Salmingo’s {qd}{10d}. The board ran {ad}{6c}{7h}{4d}{3h} for a winning pair to Gendrano. Double up.

The third shove he showed {qh}{jh} against Salmingo’s {ac}{6s}. The board again favored him as it ran {9c}{kc}{2c}{js}{8h}. For this he climbed to 1.9M, Salmingo dropped to 1.445M.

9:45PM: Geno Gendrano drops to less than 2bbs

Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Geno Gendrano shoved on the small blind with {js}{7s}, bb Dexter Salmingo snapped off with {ac}{jh}. The board ran {10d}{2c}{9c}{4h}{2h}. Salmingo doubled up to 3M, Gendrano plummeted to 132k.

9:35PM: Dexter Salmingo avoids the rail
Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Dexter Salmingo

Dexter Salmingo was all in with {kh}{jh} and was up against the leader Kai Paulsen with {ah}{9s}. Though Paulsen was ahead, the board favored Salmingo as it ran {3h}{2h}{ks}{qs}{5c}. Salmingo climbed to 1.54M.

9:25PM: Geno Gendrano wins some off the leader Paulsen
Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Button Geno Gendrano raised to 274k, bb Kai Paulsen defended. On the flop {qd}{5c}{7c}, Paulsen checked, Gendrano bet 250k, Paulsen called. On the {9c} turn, action was the same with Paulsen check-calling a 200k bet by Gendrano. On the river {8h}, both checked. Paulsen showed {ah}{5h} bottom pair, Gendrano won the pot with {qs}{10h} top pair. Gendrano up to 2.5M, Paulsen at 6.1M.

9:20PM: Dexter Salmingo dropping…. 

Level 32 Blinds 40K-80K ante 10K

Dexter Salmingo has dropped to 800k after a losing bout against Geno Gendrano. He opened to 180k from the button, Gendrano defended on the big blind. At the flop {9c}{5h}{jc}, Gendrano took charge with a 190k bet, called by Salmingo. On the turn {8d}, Gendrano shoved, Salmingo folded.

9:10PM: Gendrano doubles up through Salmingo

Level 31 Blinds 35K-70K ante 10K

Button Dexter Salmingo raised to 170k, bb Geno Gendrano shoved with 680k, Salmingo called. Gendrano {qh}{10d}, Salmingo {9d}{8s}, both players missed the board for a double up to Gendrano. He now has 1.425M.

9:05PM: Gendrano pays Paulsen’s trips

Level 31 Blinds 35K-70K ante 10K

Three way raised pot preflop saw a flop {ac}{3d}{9c}. Blinds checked to button Geno Gendrano who bet 240k, only  Kai Paulsen called from the big blind spot. On the turn {js} both checked. On the river {3c}, Paulsen bet 400k, Gendrano called. Paulsen won it with {6c}{3s} trips, Gendrano mucked. Gendrano dropped to 690k, Paulsen up to 6.6M.

9:00PM: Kai Paulsen claims a sizable pot

Level 31 Blinds 35K-70K ante 10K

Pots have been a bit light with players taking turns winning their fair share of hands. This one was a bit heftier. By the turn board {ad}{ah}{5s}{6d} around 450k was in the middle. Sb positioned Geno Gendrano checked, button Kai Paulsen bet 242k, Gendrano tank-folded. Paulsen showed one {9h}. Paulsen at 5M. Gendrano down to 1.3M.

8:45PM: Geno Gendrano on attack mode

Level 31 Blinds 35K-70K ante 10K

After losing a big chunk of his stack to Dexter Salmingo, Geno Gendrano went on full on attack mode. His aggression proved successful winning multiple pots to bring his stack up to nearly 2M. Most of those pots won were without a showdown. He is still the shortest stack but not too far from Salmingo if he continues to drag in the chips.

8:30PM: Geno Gendrano shoves into Dexter Salmingo’s aces

Level 31 Blinds 35K-70K ante 10K

Sb Geno Gendrano shoved and announced it was because he was getting hungry. Bb Dexter Salmingo quickly called. Gendrano opened pocket jacks, Salmingo had better with aces, the board bricked for a double up to Salmingo. Salmingo now around 2.7M to slide into second rank. Gendrano dropped to around 1.2M.

8:10PM: Deal reached 

Players agreed on an ICM deal and less P50,000 each for a payout of P150,000 more to the eventual winner. Players are guaranteed these winnings:

Kai Paulsen – P768,673

Geno Gendrano – P616,247

Dexter Salmingo – P464,220

8:00PM; Deal being discussed

We are taking a short break while the players dicscuss an ICM deal.

Kai Paulsen 5,078,000

Geno Gendrano 3,024,000

Dexter Salmingo 1,641,000

7:55PM: Jan Jason Leoncio bows out in 4th place – P200,000

Level 30 Blinds 30K-60K ante 10K

Jan Jason Leoncio – 4th place

Jan Jason Leoncio pushed it all out front with {js}{3s} however Geno Gendrano had {as}{ah}. When the flop came down {ad}{9c}{jh}, it was pretty much over for Leoncio. The turn sealed it {6h}. The river was {qh}. Leoncio bowed out in 4th place. Gendrano climbed to 3M.

7:40PM: Geno Gendrano’s jacks are good

Level 30 Blinds 30K-60K ante 10K

We finally got to see a full board with a bit of action. Button Geno Gendrano raised to 140k, Kai Paulsen defended on the big blind. At the flop and turn {ah}{7s}{kh}{2h}, no bets landed. Then on the {8c} river, Palsen took a stab with a 130k bet, Gendrano called. Paulsen showed {4d}{5c} which was no good by any means against Gendrano’s {js}{jh}. Yes, jacks are good to win the pot.

7:20PM: Chip Counts 

Level 30 Blinds 30K-60K ante 10K

Kai Paulsen 6.4M

Geno Gendrano 1.7M

Dexter Salmingo 1.58M
Jan Jason Leoncio 1.178M

Total chips in play: 9,743,100

Average stack: 2,435,775

7:05PM: Geno Gendrano shows 

Level 30 Blinds 30K-60K ante 10K

Four players remaining, action is tight. We did get to see a decent pot claimed by Geno Gendrano. He raised from utg to 295k, button Dexter Salmingo called. At the flop {2c}{6d}{jh}, no bets landed. On the turn {9s}, Gendrano led for 290k, Salmingo folded. Gendrano showed {ah}{9d}. Gendrano at 1.7M.

6:50PM: Kevin Dos Santos takes a bad fall to Salmingo in 5th place – P130,000

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Kevin Dos Santos – 5th place

Utg Dexter Salmingo raised to 125k, action folded to the bb Kevin Dos Santos who shoved. Salmingo called. Dos Santos {qd}{qh}, Salmingo {9d}{4d}, the board ran {6c}{5c}{6h}{2c}{3h} for a straight on the river to Salmingo to boot out Dos Santos in 5th place.

6:45PM: Raymond Gomez eliminated by Gendrano in 6th place – P90,000

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Raymond Gomez – 6th place

Geno Gendrano on a rush! Having claimed two double ups in this level, he has now zoomed to 1.7M after sending Raymond Gomez to the rail. Gomez all in with {jh}{9s}, Gomez called with {ad}{js}, the board ran {kc}{jd}{5s}{qs}{6c}. The final day’s entering chip leader Gomez ended his run in 6th place.

6:40PM: Geno Gendrano turns it! Salmingo pays again

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Geno Gendrano

A few hands after Geno Gendrano doubled up through Dexter Salmingo, he was all in again. Prior to his shove, Salmingo raised to 120k and Raymond Gomez called. Gendrano then jammed his 385k stack, Salmingo shoved, Gomez opted to get out of the way.

Salmingo {ah}{qh}

Gendrano {ad}{kh}

The flop landed {9d}{qd}{ac} for Salmingo to take the lead with two pair. The turn {kd} changed the ranking with Gendrano now in the lead with a higher two pair. With the river {9s}, Gendrano shipped it.

6:35PM: Geno Gendrano doubles up through Salmingo

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Not much action seen from Geno Gendrano for most of the day that his stack has been southbound. He finally put it all in (150k) with {9h}{8h} from the button and bb Dexter Salmingo called with {9c}{4c}. The board ran {9s}{kh}{8c}{ac}{8d} for a full house to Gendrano. He increased to 355k.

6:30PM: Kai Paulsen commanding the table

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Despite paying off two players, Kai Paulsen continues to muscle with his enormous stack. He just picked up two pots. The first one saw utg Raymond Gomez raise to 112k, bb Paulsen shoved, Gomez tank-folded.

Next winning hand, Paulsen raised from db and Jan Jason Leoncio defended on the big blind. At the flop {10c}{kc}{3c}, Leoncio checked, Paulsen bet 92k, Leoncio folded. Paulsen up to 5M.

6:20PM: Jan Jason Leoncio next to take off the leader

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Jan Jason Leoncio

Kai Paulsen tried to eliminate another but ended up paying off another player. Jan Jason Leoncio was all in with {ah}{2h}, Paulsen with {kd}{jd}. The board landed {3h}{qd}{3s}{6d} for a flush draw to Paulsen and a bit of sweat for Leoncio, but with the river {9s}, Leoncio won it for a double up to 1.389M.

6:15PM: Kevin Dos Santos doubles up through Paulsen

Level 29 Blinds 25K-50K ante 5K

Kevin Dos Santos shoved from the button and chip leader Kai Paulsen made the call from the big blind. Dos Santos was ahead with {ad}{10d} against Paulsen’s {jd}{7d}. The board ran {9c}{2c}{ah}{8h}{3h} for a double up to 669k to Dos Santos.

6:00PM: Chip counts

Kai Paulsen – 4.9M (chip leaer)

Raymond Gomez – 1.510M

Jan Jason Leoncio – 590K
Geno Gendrano – 390K
Kevin Dos Santos – 555K
Dexter Salmingo – 2.220M

Average strack: 1,623,850

Total chips in play: 9,743,100

5:45PM: Kevin Dos Santos sends some to the leader Paulsen

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5k

Catching the action on a board {jc}{3h}{ah}{3d}, and around 250k in the middle, bb Kevin Dos Santos checked, mp player Kai Paulsen bet 150k, Dos Santos called. On the river {5h}, action was the same with Dos Santos check-calling 230k. Paulsen showed {ad}{js}, Dos Santos shook his head and mucked. Dos Santos dropped to 600k. Paulsen nearing 5M, well over half of the chips in play.

5:40PM: Kevin Dos Santos ships a double off Salmingo 

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5k

Utg Kevin Dos Santos shoved his 434k stack, beside him Dexter Salmingo called, followed by everyone folding. Dos Santos showed {9c}{9d}, Salmingo {ah}{8h}, the board felted {2s}{jh}{6c}{kh}{jd} for a double up to Dos Santos. He now sits with just over a million. Salmingo at 2.3M.

5:35PM: Grace Takayama departs in 7th place – P69,000

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5k

Grace Takayama – 7th place

Dexter Salmingo is doing a great job trying to catch up to the leader Kai Paulsen. Just after Paulsen sent out Junnie Pamplona, Salmingo knocked out Grace Takayama.

Takayama {as}{10h}

Salimingo {3d}{3c}

The board offered no help to Takayama as it dragged {2h}{6c}{7s}{kd}{jd}. Salmingo shipped it to climb to 3M. We are down to 6 players.

5:30PM: Junnie Pamplona bounced out in 8th place – P57,000

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5k

Junnie Pamplona = 8th place

Another raise by Kai Paulsen. This time to 182k. Junnie Pamplona followed with a jam. Back to Paulsen who quickly called. Pamplona held {qc}{qh}, Paulsen with {ad}{kh}, the board spread {as}{2s}{10s}{9c}{4s} for a higher pair spiked by the leader. Paulsen at 4M.

5:25PM: Kai Paulsen vs Raymond Gomez 

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5k

Kai Paulsen continues to exert pressure with his big stack. This led to him facing off against Raymond Gomez for two consecutive pots. The first hand saw a turn board {4s}{9c}{6c}{ac}. Gomez bet 80k, Paulsen raised to 220k, Gomez tank-folded.

The next hand, Paulsen raised to 88k, Gomez shoved on the small blind, Paulsen folded.

5:10PM: Kevin Dos Santos defends against the leader

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5k

Chip leader Kai Paulsen raised to 86k, big blind Kevin Dos Santos defended. At the flop {jd}{6h}{qd}, Dos Santos checked, Paulsen c-bet 66k, Dos Santos shoved around 300k, Paulsen folded. Dos Santos up to 670k.

5:05PM: Kai Paulsen into 3M

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5K

Kai Paulsen – chip leader

Kai Paulsen continues to lead the final table. 8 players remaining. Paulsen sits with over 3.1M. We’ve seen him raise and three-bet a couple of times and finding no challengers.

4:45PM: Muammar Manabilang out in 9th place – P45,000

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5K

Muammar Manabilang – 9th place

Muammar Manabilang has struggled with a short stack all day and held on to make it to the final table. Despite doubling up earlier with kings, he proceeded to lose half of it to Kevin Dos Santos, and just moments ago, was sent out in 9th place by Raymond Gomez. Action saw Gomez raise to 82k, Manabilang shoved with 228k, called by Gomez.

Gomez {as}{jc}

Manabilang {kh}{qs}

The board ran {4s}{4c}{ac}{10h}{7c}. Gomez goes over 1M in chips.

4:35PM: Dexter Salmingo shoves Takayama for the pot

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5K

On a board {jc}{7d}{4h}{qc} and a pot nearly 300k brewed, Dexter Salmingo shoved his 2M stack and Grace Takayama tank-folded. Salmingo up to 2.3M.

4:30PM: Avelino Rene Maglalang eliminated in 10th place – P39,000

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5K

Avelino Rene Magalalang – 10th place

The first casualty of the final table has been delivered. Avelino Rene Maglalang was sent packing by Dexter Salmingo. Maglalang all in with {ah}{7c}, Salmingo called with {4d}{4s}. Maglalang improved on the board {ac}{2d}{5s}{7d} but with the river {4h}, it was sayonara. Salmingo overtook with a set to ship it. He climbs to 2M.

We are down to 9 players.

4;10PM: Kevin Dos Santos lands a double through Manabilang

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5K

Action folded around to the blinds. Sb Kevin Dos Santos jammed his 276k stack with {ad}{js}, big blind Muamar Manabilang defended with {ah}{4d}. The board ran {8h}{3s}{10h}{2c}{6s} for a double up to Dos Santos to over 600k, Manabilang down to 360k.

4:00PM: Muammar Manabilang doubles up to 600k

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5K

After several hands rolled by, Muammar Manabilang dropped to 289k and sent it all in holding {kd}{kh}. He was called by Grace Takayama with {qs}{js}. The board offered stayed low for a double up to Manabilang. He is now over 600k. Takayama drops to just over 700k.

3:50PM: Final 10 players

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5K

Final Table

Kai Paulsen – 2.53M (chip leader)

Junnie Pamplona – 564K

Raymond Gomez – 1.068M
Grace Takayama – 1.021M
Jason Leoncio – 653K
Geno Gendrano – 958K
Muammar Manabilang – 414K
Avelino Rene Maglalang – 580K
Dexter Salmingo – 1.475M

Final table blinds rolled back to 15K-30K ante 5K. Blinds increase every 60 minutes.

Average stack: 974,310

Total chips in play: 9,743,100

First prize: P1,100,000 (~US$21,400)

3:40PM: Jharome Pena’s run ends in 11th place – P33,000

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5K

Jharome Pena – 11th place

Jharome Pena started the day very strong but couldn’t bring it to the final elliptic with Dexter Salmingo sending him to the rail in 11th place. It was all in preflop. Pena with {3c}{3s} dominated by Salmingo with {5c}{5d}. No help came on the spread {9s}{ad}{kc}{8s}{kh}.

We are now down to the final table of the Main Event!

3:35PM: Alvin Sembrano out in 12th place – P33,000
Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5K

Alvin Jeff Sembrano – 12th place

Alvin Sembrano all in with {ad}{kd}, chip leader Kai Paulsen with {qc}{qs}, the board ran {10h}{10s}{7d}{4h}{8h} to boot out Sembrano in 12th place. Paulsen now up to 2.68M.

3:20PM: Muammar Manabilang doubles up his short stack

Level 28 Blinds 20K-40K ante 5K

No brainer hand here. Short stacked Muammar Manabilang all in with his 172k stack holding {ah}{kd}. He was called by Avelino Rene Maglalang with {js}{10c}. Both players missed the board for a double up to Manabilang to 483k.

3:05PM: Chip counts

12 players remaining….. average stack 811,925 with 9,743,100 total chips in play.

Table 17

Junnie Pamplona 253k

Alvin Sembrano 525k

Jharome Pena 1.265M

Dexter Salmingo 1.020M

Kai Paulsen 1.420M (chip leader)

Jan Jason Leoncio 815K

Table 26
Grace Takayama 655K
Geno Gendrano 1.150M
Avelino Rene Maglalang 800K
Raymond Gomez 900K
Kevin Dos Santo 554K
Muammar Manabilang 240K

2:50PM: Kai Paulsen on the move, rises to 1.7m

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5k

Kai Paulsen grabbed himself a couple of sizable pots that sent his stack zooming to 1.7M. His first one was a double up through Junnie Pamplona. After a series of raises that eventually led tow players all in, Paulsen showed [ad][as], Pamplona [qd][qs]. The board ran [4d][5d][3s][10s][2d] for a straight to Paulsen.

Next hand utg Paulsen raised, sb Jharome Pena three-bet to 275k, Paulsen shoved, no call.

2:40PM: James Auld settles for 13th place – P30,000

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5k

James Auld – 13th place

On a flop [kd][7d][qh], James Auld all in with [qs][4s] but was still way behind Raymond Gomez’s [kh][7c] two pair. The turn [9d] and river [5c] sealed his fate in 13th place.

2:30PM: Quads for Pena! Christopher Pasion down and out in 14th place – P30,000

Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5k

Christopher Pasion – 14th place

Christopher Pasion had it all out front with [jd][jc] but was looked up by Jharome Pena with [as][kc]. The board ran a jaw dropping [ac][ah][5c][ad][2c] for a crushing quads to Pena. Pasion out in 14th place. Pena up to 1.77M and is currently the overwhelming chip leader.

2;20PM: James Auld chunked by nemesis Avelino Rene Maglalang
Level 27 Blinds 15K-30K ante 5k

James Auld and Avelino Rene Maglalang have a score to settle with both players having taken big from each other. Another face off would determine who would be higher in the bout. Action began with utg Raymond Gomez bumping it up to 62k, called by James Auld, called by sb Geno Gendrano, bb Maglalang shoved his 353k stack, Gomez folded, Auld shoved with around 600k which was enough to push out Gendrano for a showdown once again.

Auld {ah}{jh}

Maglalang {6d}{6s}

The board ran dry for Maglalang’s low pair to hold. He doubled up 830k while Auld plummeted to 255k.

2:15PM: James Auld and Rene Maglalang face off twice

Level 26 Blinds 12K-24K ante 4K

James Auld and Avelino Rene Maglalang went head to head twice that saw both give and take. The first hand saw Auld raise to 61k, Maglalang shoved with well over 500k, Auld didn’t hesitate to risk his stack of 407k.

Maglalang {ks}{10c}

Auld {ah}{9d}

The board ran {3s}{qd}{as}{6s}{2d}. Auld with a huge double up to 850k, Maglalang down to 130k.

A couple of hands later, they met again. Maglalang with {ac}{5c}, Auld with {8s}{8h}. The board ran {2s}{3s}{7h}{4c}{ks} for a winning straight to Maglalang and a double up to 285k. Auld down to 670k.

2:00PM: Alvin Sembrano with a stack boost 

Level 26 Blinds 12K-24K ante 4K

Having dropped down to under 6 bbs, Alvin Jeff Sembrano went all in with {ah}{10d} and faced off against big stacked Jharome Pena with {ks}{js}. The cards spread {10h}{2h}{3c}{3s}{7d} for a double to over 300k.

1:50PM: Christopher Pasion doubles up through Sembrano

Level 26 Blinds 12K-24K ante 4K

Action folded to button player Christopher Pasion, he shoved with {as}{8c}. Button player Alvin Sembrano called with kd}{qd}. No hits on the board for either player for a double up to Pasion to 470k. Sembrano down to 120k.

1:45PM: Rey Osete eliminated in 15th place – P30,000

Level 26 Blinds 12K-24K ante 4K

Rey Osete – 15th place

Classic race…. Rey Osete with a premium drawing hand {ac}{kc} called by Dexter Salmingo with {qd}{qh}. The board ran {jh}{3c}{4d}{2h}{8c}. Osete missed and was eliminated in 15th place.

1:38PM: Kevin Dos Santos wins the flip against Takayama

Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Kevin Dos Santos all in with {ad}{jh} and had to win the flip against Grace Takayama with {10h}{10d}. The board gave him the help he needed as the cards felted {4h}{js}{5h}{9h}{3h} for a double up to 445k. Takayama down to 275k.

1:35PM: Sandy Cea out in 16th place – P27,000
Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Sandy Cea – 16th place

Catching the action only as Sandy Cea was walking away. He had {8s}{8h} on a board of {7h}{jh}{6s}{6h}{10c} that lost to Raymond Gomez’s {as}{js} higher pair. We are down to 15 players.

1:30PM: Junnie Pamplona stays alive through Alvin Jeff Sembrano

Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

On a raised pot preflop, the board showed {10c}{3s}{4c}, bb Alvin Sembrano checked, Kai Paulsen bet 78k, button Junnie Pamplona called, back to Sembrano with a shove, fold by Paulsen, called by Pamplona with less chips.

Sembrano {qc}{3c}

Pamplona {kc}{jc}

The turn {jh} improved Pamplona to a higher pair and with the river {10s}, Pamplona doubled up to around 700k.

1:25PM: Double KO! Jason Magbanua and Luke Pangan eliminated

Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

Jason Kyle Magbanua – 17th place

Double bust at Tabel 17! Just before Jharome Pena send Jason Kyle Magbanua (17th) and Luke Pangan (18th) out of the running, he first claimed a decent pot against Junnie Pamplona. Following that win, he called the all in of short stacks Pangan (kd}{qh} and Magbanua’s {ad}{3h} while holding {qs}{3s}. The community spread was very kind to Pena as it ran {ks}{10s}{jd}{4d}{7s} for a flush to bust the shorties. Pena now up 1.2M.

Christopher Luke Pangan – 18th place

1:20PM: Muammar Manabilang doubles up through Maglalang

Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

All in preflop action, Muammar Manabilang shoved with {10c}{10s}, called by Rene Maglalang with {ac}{5c}. The board spread {3d}{4h}{jd}{9c}{8h}. Maglalang down to 430k. Manabilang up to 250k.

1:15PM: Luke Pangan and Jharome Pena go at it

Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

After a slow start with chips small amounts of chips moving around the tables, we got action at Table 17 with Luke Pangan and Jharome Pena going at it in two consecutive pots. The first hand began with an 89k raise by Pangan, called by Pena on the button. At the flop [6s][3h][10h], Pangan all in for 20k, snap-called by Pena.

Pangan {9d}{9c}

Pena [ks][js]

The turn [8d] and river [2s] kept Pangan ahead to double up to 290k.

Next hand, Pangan was all in again with [ac][10c], Pena moved all in as well with [kc][qd], the cards ran [10s][9h][9s][js][5c] for a straight and a double up to Pena to 520k, Pangan down to 30k.

1:00PM: Cards in the air! Race to the MSE title begins!

Level 25 Blinds 10K-20K ante 3K

And we are off! Cards in the air for the Final Day! Good luck to all!

After five days of competitive action at the Metro Card Club, we have now reached the final day of the MSE Main Event! The event kicked off on April 10 with four starting days that drew 652 entries. With each buyin at P6500, it generated a guarantee smashing prize pool of P3,912,000 (~US$75,600).

At yesterday’s Day 2 race, 106 players battled to reach the money, payouts began at 65th place, the game halted once the final 18 players was established. Today, these players below return for one last race to the top. Who will rise to glory and become the next Metro 2019 champion? Whoever it is, a fat cash payout of P1,110,000 (~US$21,400) also awaits.   Here’s a look at the finalists and their chip counts:

1	Gomez, Raymond Jr.	1,144,000	Table 26 Seat 6
2	Osete, Rey	1,019,000	Table 26 Seat 1
3	Salmingo, Dexter	887,000	Table 17 Seat 7
4	Paulsen, Kai Danilo	850,000	Table 17 Seat 8
5	Maglalang Jr, Avelino Rene	791,000	Table 26 Seat 2
6	Gendrano, Geno	724,000	Table 26 Seat 8
7	Auld, James Francis	716,000	Table 26 Seat 7
8	Pamplona, Junnie	711,000	Table 17 Seat 3
9	Sembrano, Alvinjeff	676,000	Table 17 Seat 5
10	Peña, Jharome	424,000	Table 17 Seat 6
11	Dos Santos, Kevin	332,000	Table 26 Seat 5
12	Leoncio, Jan Jason	290,000	Table 17 Seat 9
13	Takayama, Grace	289,000	Table 26 Seat 3
14	Cea, Sandy	267,000	Table 26 Seat 9
15	Pasion, Christopher	243,000	Table 17 Seat 1
16	Manabilang, Muammar	191,000	Table 26 Seat 4
17	Pangan, Christopher Luke	107,000	Table 17 Seat 4
18	Magbanua, Jason Kyle	82,000	Table 17 Seat 2

Some important info for the finalists:

Opening blinds: 10K-20K ante 3K  (regular structure)

Blinds duration: increases every 40 minutes until the final table is reached

Final Table blinds: increases every 60 minutes

Final Table: 10 players

Average stack: 541,283

Total chips in play: 9,743,100

The way it stands, half the field is currently above average stack and half below. This will likely produce some early shoves from the short stacks attempting to double up. Raymond Gomez struts in with the mightiest stack of 1,144,000. We will bring you all the lowdown via our live updates right here in this page. Just keep refreshing. Cards in the air at 1pm sharp.