20 Aug Batang Metro Poker Challenge: Jonald Garcia bags a monster stack at Day 1E, tops 108 players into Day 2
The final two entry flights of the Batang Metro Poker Challenge proved that this edition’s ambitious 5M guarantee was but a mere suggestion with a combined 431 entries lighting up the Metro Card Club. This drove the total number to 910 entries for a richer prize pool of PHP 8 Million.
A long list of notable players were scattered amongst the crowd with well known local pro Jonald Garcia ruling Day 1E to amass the overall largest stack entering Day 2 of 111 big blinds. Over at Day 1D, Milbert Bautista bagged the largest to earn fifth rank overall with 83 big blinds.
When the players return on Sunday, August 20 for Day 2, they are all guaranteed a piece of the pot. We will have the prize pool breakdown for you once it has been made available. Day 2 will play down to 2 tables or 16 levels, whichever is first reached. Day 2 opens with blinds at 3000-6000 ante 6000.
Day 1 results
Day 1A: 209 entries / 25 ITM
Day 1B: 116 entries / 14 ITM
Day 1C: 154 entries / 18 ITM
Day 1D: 269 entries / 32 ITM
Day 1E: 162 entries / 19 ITM
Date: August 16 to 21, 2023
Buy in: PHP 10,000
Guarantee: PHP 5,000,000
Entries: 910
Prize pool: PHP 8,032,570
ITM: 108 players
Top 10 in chips
| Player | Stack | |
| 1 | Garcia Jonald | 665,000 |
| 2 | Austria Darrel Stephen | 609,000 |
| 3 | Carreon Jayvon Pacaba | 535,000 |
| 4 | Rovere Crispin Eilif Gorienko | 501,000 |
| 5 | Bautista Milbert | 500,000 |
| 6 | Angeles Rommel | 489,000 |
| 7 | Sario Florendo | 479,000 |
| 8 | Patulot Lemmor | 478,000 |
| 9 | Chen Fangwei | 410,000 |
| 10 | Michl Joris | 403,000 |
When the players return, they are guaranteed PHP 19,200 while on the clear other end is the champion’s payout of PHP 2,050,000 (~USD 36,470). That’s a mighty price for a PHP 10,000 buy in. In addition, the top 27 places win a seat worth PHP 16,500 to the upcoming RVS Cup in November.
Top 10 payouts
| Rank | Cash Payout in PHP |
| 1st + Main | 2,050,000 |
| 2nd + Main | 1,100,000 |
| 3rd + Main | 583,970 |
| 4th + Main | 340,000 |
| 5th + Main | 210,000 |
| 6th + Main | 145,600 |
| 7th + Main | 109,200 |
| 8th + Main | 91,000 |
| 9th + Main | 72,800 |
A brief background on the BMPC, it is one the younger events in the Metro calendar. Literally defined as “Child of Metro”, the title is of special significance. Through the years, the Metro has produced world class players that have gone on to inspire other locals.
Since its inception, the BMPC has crowned two winners, USA’s John Francis King in 2019 for PHP 540,863 and Lester Edoc (pictured above) in 2022 for PHP 1,124,920.
That means, the next champion could be YOU!
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