Down to 17: The Battle for the PPT Crown And One Million Starts At 2PM

After six entry flights that drew 1,320 entries for a new prize pool record of ₱7,062,000, and a double-bust to end Day 2, the 2026 Philippine Poker Tournament Main Event has reached its final day.

Only 17 players remain. Two tables. The first Metro major title of the year and ₱1,100,000 top prize in sight. Who will rise to glory?

Final 17 Players

The player best positioned to do so is well-known local pro David Erquiaga who bagged a commanding 5,030,000 (62 bb) stack. Erquiaga has collected a long list of titles and deep runs however he has yet to clinch a Metro major. In 2023, he came close with a 3rd place finish at the Metro Walk To A Million Main Event.

Photo: David Erquiaga

Entering the final day, Erquiaga faces some very hungry competition at the table. Heavyweights such as Christopher Chua (12 bb), Alexix Cruz (13 bb), Moses Saquing (16 bb), and Day 1 overall chip leader Shawn Benitez (11 bb) will all be looking for that one spot to go up or go broke.

Day 2 was unkind to many of the Metro Team Pros with only Marc Rivera left holding the torch. Rivera will bring in the third largest stack of 2,560,000 (32 bb), just below second-ranked Raymond Tiu with 3,730,000 (46 bb). Both players are seated at the same table, along with hard-hitters Marvin Cerbito (11 bb) and Michael Calunsod (29 bb).

The lineup is also void of past champions with Rene Mar David and Alexander Lai both unable to keep their stacks intact. With the former titleholders out of contention, the 2026 Philippine Poker Tournament is guaranteed to crown a new Main Event champion.

The final day gets underway at 2pm on Monday, February 16. You can watch the final table livestream via the Metro Card Club Facebook page.

Blinds resume at 40,000-80,000 big blind ante 80,000. Average stack is 24 big blinds. The big blind ante format continues until the final table of 9 players is reached where it will change to regular ante.

PAYOUTS

Buy-in: ₱6,000 ($100)
Guarantee: ₱5,000,000 ($86,260)
Entries: 1,320
Prize pool: ₱7,062,000 ($121,800)
ITM: 188 players

PPT Main Event: All The Numbers

When the finalists return, they are all guaranteed a minimum payout of ₱44,400 plus a seat to the Metro Summer Event valued at ₱11,000. This is a non-transferable ticket.

The Closer 300K GTD At 3PM

With the last day of the festival at hand, The Closer 300K GTD completes the 2026 Philippine Poker Tournament lineup of games. Up for grabs is the last PPT side event trophy on the mantle and you can snatch it for a buy-in of just ₱4,000. Cards start flying at 3Pm with registration closing at the end of Level 10 at 7:30PM.

2026 PPT Schedule