Vamerdino Magsakay wins RVS CUP 2022! James Moriles displays top performance

The 8th installment of the RVS CUP Philippine Poker Championship concluded with Filipino pro Vamerdino Magsakay overcoming formidable opponent James Moriles at heads up. Magsakay won ₱1,600,000 and a new trophy to add to his growing display case. Relive the action via the live stream found in the Metro fb page.

The newly crowned champion took some time to share his emotions on the win and on his heads up match against Moriles.

“Sobrang saya kasi dito talaga ako nagsimula, dito ako natuto sa Metro. Kaya sobrang sarap sa pakiramdam na manalo ng ganitong event.”

[Translation: Very happy because this is where I started… this is where I learned, here in Metro. So it’s a special feeling to win this kind of event.]

“1:4 chips advantage kasi yung start ng heads up namen kaya malaki yung lamang nya. Ang iniisip ko talaga na kailangan ko lang patagalin ang laban namen para magamay ko yung laro nya at kung panong strategy yung gagamitin ko against sa laro nya.” 

[Translation: He had a big 1:4 chip advantage over me at the start of heads up. So in my mind, I had to drag out the game until I got used to the way he plays and so I can figure out what strategy to use against him.]

“Lagi ako naglalaro online and live and after every session lagi ko din nirereview yung mga hands ko para makita ko yung mga mistakes at kung ano pa yung pwede ko improve sa game ko.”

[Translation: I often play online and live and after every session I review my hands to see what my mistakes were and how to further improve my game.]

So how will the champ celebrate his special victory?

“Once a week meron ako palagi nilalaan para uminom..chill lang walang poker ..enjoy lang..yun yung paraan ko para makapag reset ng mindset ko after ng long game win or lose”

[Translation: Once a week I have time set aside to drink, just chill, no poker, just enjoy. That’s the plan so I can reset my mind after a long game win or lose.]

Final table recap

The Metro Cards Club’s homegrown RVS CUP boosted this year’s Main Event to a ₱6,000,000 guarantee. Players from all over the country poured in resulting in a grand total of 766 entries and a smashing prize pool of ₱7,430,200 (~$130,000).

The final day saw 18 players return led by James Moriles who had been running strong since Day 1C. By the time the final table was formed, Moriles was second rank with Vamerdino Magsakay up top. 

Before the pair met at heads up, Moriles plunged to 7 BB after losing a big pot to John Tech with flush over pocket Aces. While he clawed his way back up, Magasakay was enjoying a knockout spree, first eliminating Richard Tubog (8th) then Edgar Asehan (5th) both with a dominating pocket Aces.

At four-handed, Tech was backed by a commanding stack and Magsakay was a far second. Moriles picked up momentum and eliminated Jonald Garcia then landed a double up off Magsakay. Three-handed action was brutal for the leader Tech who saw his towers slowly melt while Moriles continued his grind to impressively reclaim the top spot. Tech’s downward spin ended at the hands of Moriles.

James Moriles

Heads up kicked off with Moriles ahead 84 BB to Magsakay’s 20 BB. It was a two hour grind to the title. Pots were controlled throughout to see stacks move up and down in small quantities. By the first hour, Magsakay caught up and overtook but briefly as Moriles continued to apply pressure and again claim it back. One hand turned it around for Magsakay with {kc}{10c} outdrawing {ac}{10c} on a board {qd}{6c}{9c}{kh}{kc}.

The next hand closed it out. With Moriles down to <10 BB and Magsakay sitting on 40 BB, the leader pushed with {jc}{6c}, Moriles risked it all with {7h}{6d}, the final board was {8s}{5c}{3d}{5s}{10h}.

Buy in: ₱11,000
Guarantee: ₱6,000,000
Entries: 766
Prize pool: ₱7,430,200 (~$130,000)
ITM: 90 places

Final table payouts

*Heads up deal

Payouts 9th – 18th