From 3 bb to champion! Alexander Lai clinches PPT 2024

After a one hour heads up match, the Philippine Poker Tournament wrapped up with Alexander Lai overcoming Metro Team Pro Czardy Rivera to capture his first ever Main Event title and personal high payout of ₱1,009,032 (~$18,000). Congratulations to the newest PPT champion!

“It feels great to win! Actually, hindi inaasahan na mananalo ako kasi short stack ako coming Day 2. And then overcoming Czardy, unbelievable feeling kasi isa sya sa mga tinitingala ko sa poker industry sobrang honored ako na sya ung naka heads-up ko. Even though I doubled him up I stayed focus. Nung napansin ko medyo naiinip na sya medyo nag change gear ako.”

“Overall it was an unbelievable experience to think na I survived ung 1656 entries and nakalaban ko ung mga magagaling players here in Philippines.”

At Day 2, with three tables remaining, Lai dropped to 3 bb, doubled up, to bag up 8 bb. On the final day, Lai built his stack to enter the final table wedged in the middle of the pack. You can relive his victory and final table race via the link provided:

Final 9 payouts

*Three-way ICM deal, played for 20% (₱521,193) – divided 1st 60%, 2nd 30%, 10%

The 5th annual homegrown Philippine Poker Tournament (PPT) was the richest in history with 1,656 runners driving the prize pool north for a stunning ₱6,518,016 Million (~$116,500). 201 players earned a piece, including PPT champions Jharome Pena in 136th place for ₱12,300 and  Maxwell Rosete at a deeper 17th place for ₱28,700 + seat to MSE worth ₱11,000.

PPT 2024 – Final Table

The final day opened with 17 players returning led by JM Castro and Raymond Imperio, both players separated by just one big blind. For the first time, the 30- second Shot Clock was in play at the final table.

Imperio held on to finish 5th, Metro Team Pro Kyle Magbanua was ousted in 4th place, leaving three players Lai, Rivera, and Castro about even in stacks. An ICM deal was struck plus 20% (₱521,193) of the pot set aside broken into 60% to 1st, 30% for 2nd, and 10% for 3rd.

Alexander Lai

Lai proceeded to eliminate Castro in 3rd place and was headed for a fast victory against Rivera with both players all in on the first heads up hand. Lai had {ad}{8s}, Rivera at risk with {ah}{2c}. A lucky river saved Rivera {4h}{jd}{jc}{js}{2h} to take the lead.

Czardy Rivera

An hour of grinding followed with Lai earning a big pot holding {as}{3s} over {kh}{js} on a board {4d}{ac}{8h}{10h}{6d}. The final hand was redemption and paypack for Lai. Rivera all in on a flop {qc}{7s}{6d} with {qd}{7c} two pair, Lai was behind with {ah}{ac}, the turn {3d} was no help to Lai but the river {ad} set was a winner.

PPT by the numbers

Date: January 31 to February 5, 2024
Buy in: ₱4,500 (~$80)
Guarantee: ₱4,000,000 (~$71,000)
Entries: 1,656
Prize pool: ₱6,518,016 Million (~$116,500)
ITM: 201 players

That concludes the record breaking PPT 2024, up next is the Metro Summer Event. Stay tuned for more info via the Metro facebook page.