2026 MSE Main Event Final Flights Already Blazing; Pilao, Laxamana Through Day 1C; Isidro Wins Trophy, MTLB Standings Up

Friday action at the 2026 Metro Summer Event drew 159 entries for Day 1C of the Main Event, and as the field thickens, a familiar threat has quietly re-emerged. Beware, the defending champion is through! Marlon Laxamana maneuvered his way into the next stage, bagging the flight’s third-largest stack of 275,000 (45 bb) to keep his title defense very much alive.

Photo: Marlon Laxamana – defending champion

Other notables finding success were Jonald Garcia, Lloyd Fontillas (Gods of Poker General Manager), Jester Intia (Metro commentator and currently Top 10 in MTLB standings), and the multi-decorated Metro champion Lester Edoc.

Out-bagging them all was Genesis Pilao with a stack of 484,000 (80 bb), placing him second in the cumulative Day 2 lineup, bumping down John Clyde Tan (438,000 – 73 bb) to third rank. Still holding firm at the top is Hanchul Choi with 500,000 (83 bb).

Photo: Genesis Pilao

The Main Event has now attracted 292 entries, with 65 players advancing to the ITM stage, each guaranteed a share of the ₱6 million prize pool. With two flights yet to play out, there is a strong indication that the prize pool will surpass its target.

Day 1D is currently underway and it is the biggest turnout yet with over 200 entries pumping at the Metro Card Club. Registration is open until 6:30PM.

For those that miss that window or missed at the previous flights, you have one final chance at Day 1E which starts at 7:00PM, closing at 10:50PM. This is a turbo flight. See structure below.

MSE MAIN EVENT DAY 1C SURVIVORS – 23 PLAYERS

[Day 1C bagging time: 3K-6K ante 6K]

[Day 1B bagging time: 3K-6K ante 6K]

[Day 1A bagging time: 3K-6K ante 6K]

MSE Main Event Structure

Alekhine Karl Gose Isidro Wins NLH After Dark

Photo: Alekhine Karl Gose Isidro

After numerous close calls at past Metro festival side events, Alekhine Karl Gose Isidro finally reached the finish line! Isidro topped the 102 runners of the NLH After Dark Turbo to secure the largest chunk of the ₱191,760 prize pool. Isidro turned his measly ₱2,200 buy-in into an ICM deal pay0ut of ₱49,626 while runner-up Dominador Isidoro settled for a decent return as well of ₱38,634.