MWAM: Carl Quebec Bags Lead at Main Event Day 1B; Padilla, David, Basilio Shine at Side Events

The Metro Card Club was buzzing throughout the day as players filled the tables for Day 1B of the Metro Walk To A Million Main Event. When registration closed, another three-figure turnout was added to the tally, bringing the cumulative field to 396 entries.

Day 1A: 242 entries / 34 ITM
Day 1B: 154 entries / 22 ITM

With four starting flights still to play, the festival headliner appears well on its way to surpassing its ₱5 Million guarantee. Away from the Main Event spotlight, the side action was just as lively as the Ladies Showdown and Power Button kept trophy hunters chasing their own glory.

Scroll down for all of the day’s highlights.

Carl Quebec Claims Main Event Day 1B Lead

The MWAM Main Event continued its march on Day 1B with 154 entries added to the field. The flight moved slightly faster than the opener, reaching the money at blinds of just 3,000-6,000.

Among the 22 players that secured their spots in Day 2 were several familiar names that included Czardy Rivera, Moses Saquing, Lito Quijano, Joven Huerto, Metro commentator Jester Intia, and newly appointed Metro Team Pro Marlon Laxamana.

Photo: Carl Quebec

When the bags were sealed, one player stood above the rest. Carl Quebec closed Day 1B with 459,000 chips to claim the flight’s chip lead and slot himself into second place on the overall Day 2 leaderboard, just behind Day 1A leader Oliver Lirio who set the benchmark at 521,000.

The performance is the latest in an impressive run for Quebec, who recently made the final table of the Gods of Poker Arena Event before bowing out in 8th place.

Day 1A: 242 entries / 34 ITM
Chip leader: Oliver Lirio – 521,000
Ending blinds: 4,000-8,000 ante 8,000

Day 1B: 154 entries / 22 ITM
Chip leader: Carl Quebec – 459,000
Ending blinds: 3,000-6,000 ante 6,000

MWAM Main Event – Four Flights Remain

The Main Event continues with four more flights yet to complete. These are expected to bring the largest numbers as they run on Friday and Saturday, giving weekend warriors and evening goers the chance at the title.

Friday, June 26
Day 1C: 1pm
Day 1D: 7pm (Turbo)

Saturday, June 27
Day 1E: 1pm
Day 1F: 7pm (Turbo)

For a buy-in of ₱6,000 (~USD 100), players begin with a deep 25,000 starting stack, equivalent to 250 times the opening blinds. Registration closes at the start of Level 11 then bags up once 14% of the field remains.

MWAM MAIN EVENT STRUCTURE

Newcomer Kyla Padilla Rules the Ladies Showdown

Photo: Kyla Padilla

The women took the evening stage with the Ladies Showdown drawing an enthusiastic field of 84 entries. With free entry and a ₱50,000 prize pool on the line, the event quickly became one of the liveliest side attractions of the festival.

As the field narrowed, the final table featured a blend of champions, familiar regulars, and aspiring newcomers. When the final hand was dealt, it was newcomer Kyla Padilla who emerged victorious, capturing her first recorded live title and ₱11,880 in prize money.

In addition, Padilla took home not one but two trophies on her debut victory —the MWAM trophy and the Gods of Poker Aphrodite Mirror trophy.

Revo David Wins NLH Turbo Bounty

Photo: Revo David

Rene ‘Revo’ Mar David is on fire at the side events! David added another win to his growing poker portfolio by taking down the NLH Turbo Bounty event which drew 63 entries for a prize pool of ₱130,284. David earned the top cash prize along with six bounties each worth ₱1,000. He was also awarded the MWAM trophy and GOP Shield trophy.

The next night, David nearly bagged a second win, falling short in second place at the Power Button side event.

Lionel Basilio Claims Power Button

Photo: Lionel Basilio

The last side event to complete was the fun-filled Power Button drawing 55 entries. The top eight players earned a portion of the ₱200,750 prize pool. After a three-way ICM deal, NLH Turbo Bounty winner Rene ‘Revo’ Mar David and GOP Arena Event 7th placer Edmon Rebadulla could not subdue chip leader Lionel Basilio who ran away with the win and a payout of ₱58,376. He also was awarded the MWAM trophy and GOP Shield trophy.

1st Lionel Basili – ₱58,376*
2nd Rene Mar Davi – ₱31,867*
3rd Edmon Rebadulla – ₱32,362*
4th Richard Nakila – ₱18,900
5th Chierro De Leon – ₱15,100
6th Jeffrey Pamplona – ₱12,300
7th Wilvyn Tantongco – ₱10,400
8th Alexander Lai – ₱9,400

*Denotes a deal

Remaining Side Events

In addition to the MWAM Main Event, there are two other titles up for grabs at the side games and both award two trophies – one MWAM and one GOP – and a seat to a select Gods of Poker Manila side event.

Deepstack 200K GTD
Champion: MWAM Trophy, GOP Manila Hyper Turbo Power Button, GOP Shield Trophy

The Closer 300K GTD
Champion: MWAM Trophy, GOP Manila Hyper Turbo Head Hunter, GOP Shield Trophy

MWAM Schedule

MTLB Leaderboard