Interview: Metro’s Newest Stars Dek Cruz And Marlon Laxamana

On February 15, 2026, Metro Card Club honored two players for their exceptional performances throughout the 2025 season. From January 2 to December 16, the club ran its Metro Tournament Leaderboard, tracking results across its year-long tournament schedule.

When the final points were tallied, Marlon Laxamana secured the highest total to claim the 2025 Tournament MVP title. Meanwhile, the race for Metro Tournament Player of the Year was decided in a showdown among the leaderboard’s top 10 finishers, where Federick Cruz emerged victorious. Both players were awarded a Metro Team Pro ambassadorship for one year.

Catching up with the newly minted players, they shared their thoughts on the achievement in a post-award interview.

How does it feel to win this title and be awarded a contract as a Metro Team Pro? 

Laxamana: Nakakaproud, kasi nagbubunga yung pag grind ko simula sa dailies, weekend specials, hanggang main event. Dati hinahangaan ko yung mga Metro Team Pro, ngayon hindi ko ineexpect na part na ko ng team pro.

Cruz: I’m truly grateful and humbled to receive this title. It means a lot to me because Metro Card Club created this platform to recognize the dedication, discipline, and consistency that players put in throughout the year. To be acknowledged in this way is already a blessing.

It’s a privilege to be part of Metro Team Pro, even for just a year. Many of our local players aspire to be on this team and to stand alongside our local legends. To be given that opportunity is both an honor and a motivation for me to probably play more international tournaments, which I have set aside last year.

What does this mean to you and your poker career? 

Cruz: Since I started taking this sport seriously after the pandemic, this has been the most prestigious accomplishment of my career so far. I haven’t won a major title yet, but this recognition is at the top of my list right now.

It honestly still feels surreal. To emerge as champion among so many strong regulars and professional players who compete consistently at Metro Card Club means a lot to me. It reassures me that the hard work, grind, and discipline I’ve put in are paying off.

More than anything, this milestone motivates me to keep playing the game the way it’s meant to be played — with respect for every opponent’s skill level and with integrity at the table. Poker is not just about winning; it’s about discipline, character, and honoring the spirit of the game. This recognition reminds me to uphold those values in every session I play.

Photo: Marlon Laxamana wins 2025 MSE Main Event

What did it take to reach the top ten throughout the year and how many tournaments did you enter?

Laxamana: If I’m not mistaken, yung pagiging champion ko ng Metro Summer Event last year. that was MSE 2025. My first main event champion yung nagboost ng points ko.

Cruz; Well, with my limited bankroll, it wouldn’t have been possible for me to compete almost daily throughout the year without the support of people who believed in my game. I’m truly grateful to those who backed and trusted my playing style. Without them, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to enter enough tournaments and earn the points needed to break into the Top 5 of the TLB.

I’d like to give special thanks to my sponsors, mga ka-bakas, and supporters — Greg Lim, Erick “Balut” Rimando, Madam Kalai, Aaron Cruz, Mandy Medel, the Metro PLO group, and especially Boss Joven Huerto, who has always been a great adviser to me. Their guidance, trust, and encouragement mean more than just financial support. They gave me the trust and confidence to keep grinding and pushing myself to improve.

This achievement is not mine alone — it’s something we all share.

I played most of the weekly events and major series at Metro throughout the year. When it came to the daily tournaments, I was more active during the second half of the year, especially when I saw my points starting to climb significantly.

Were you gunning for the title since the start of the year? If not, then when did you make a bid for it?

Laxamana: Sa palagay ko oo, kasi pasok din ako ng leaderboard 2024 kaya ineexpect ko sa sarili ko na magiging no.1 ulet ako ng cardroom

Cruz: At the start of the year, honestly, gunning for the title wasn’t on my mind. After 2024 — which was probably my toughest year and really took a hit on my bankroll — I actually planned to step back a bit from tournaments and focus more on my work.

But sometime around July or August, I went on a really good run. I was surprised to see my name climb into the Top 20 after being outside the Top 100 just the month before. That’s when it slowly started to feel possible.

From that point on, I became more intentional. I didn’t force it, but I stayed consistent, chose my spots wisely, and focused on making deep runs. What started as just rebuilding my confidence eventually turned into a serious bid for the title.

Photo: Federick Cruz at RVS Cup 2025

Since the pandemic lifted, you have been on the rise, what changed last year that brought your game up further?

Cruz: Since the pandemic, it’s honestly been a roller coaster. I’ve had some really strong runs and some very tough stretches — and that’s something every poker player goes through.

What really changed last year was that I took a step back and seriously asked myself if this was a career I truly wanted to pursue long-term. Beyond hand reviews, self-study, and discussing spots with peers, the biggest improvement came from working on my mental game. I focused on strengthening my psychological and emotional approach to tournaments.

I also became more mindful of playing within my means. I stopped pressuring myself into thinking I had to play the big games all the time. I learned that protecting my bankroll and choosing the right spots is part of being a professional.

In tournament poker, if you’re not mentally, psychologically, and emotionally prepared to perform at your best, you become what players call “dead money.” I realized that skill alone isn’t enough. You need resilience, discipline, emotional control — and smart decision-making off the table as well. Once I made those adjustments, everything in my game started to level up.

What kind of mental preparation was needed to overcome the final ten challenge? it was a winner-take-all for the prize and ambassadorship?

Photo: 2026 MTLB Final 10

Cruz: The mental preparation for the Final Ten was very important. All of us in the Top 10 know each other’s game very well. There were no surprises anymore in terms of playing styles, tendencies, or patterns. Because of that, it really came down to picking the right spots — knowing when to apply pressure, when to steal, and when to trap against specific players in specific situations. It became more about discipline and timing than anything else.

Whenever I got stacked or lost a big pot, I kept reminding myself not to panic. There were still many hands to be played. In a format like that, emotional control is everything.

I applied the same mindset during my heads-up match with Marlon, especially when I was down 5:1 in chips. In the past, I might have forced spots or rushed decisions. But this time, I stayed patient, trusted the process, and waited for the right opportunities. 

Fortunately, my newly found self-discipline paid off — and here I am, 2025 Player of the Year. (hahahahaha)

[For his victory, Cruz was also awarded ₱331,000 on top of the ambassadorship.]

Will you attempt for the title again this year?

Laxamana: Kung magkakaron ng leaderboard ngyong 2026, yes I will.

Cruz: Maybe I’ll just wait and see. I’ve learned to let the game come to me instead of forcing things or putting pressure on myself to do a repeat.

Winning once is already a blessing, and I don’t want to lose the joy of playing by chasing expectations. I’ve realized that I perform best when I’m simply focused on playing good poker, staying disciplined, and enjoying the competition.

At the end of the day, it’s much more fun — and honestly more rewarding — to play the sport without pressure and just let the results follow.