Raphael Bulaong Towers Over Final 18 At MWAM Main Event

After a day of showdowns and brutal eliminations, the Metro Walk To A Million – MWAM Main Event has been cut down to just 18 players. The finalists return on Monday, July 8, 2025 for one last sprint to the finish line and leave their mark as the newest Metro champion.

MWAM Main Event Final 18 Players

MWAM Main Event Final 18 Payouts

*The top 9 payouts include a seat worth ₱55,000 to the Philippine Poker Millions and 10th-18th places includes a seat worth ₱12,000 to the PPM Mega Satellite. 

MWAM Main Event – Recap

This year’s MWAM Main Event was another one for the books, drawing 1,216 entries across six starting flights to easily tear past the ₱5 million guarantee. Day 2 kicked off with 167 players, each already locked in for a piece of the much bigger ₱6,080,000 prize pool.  With many short stacks around the room, action was thrilling from the very first deal as they scrambled for double-ups while mid stacks relentlessly chased pay jumps. Just into eleven rounds, play was halted with the final 18 players established.

At the top of that list was Raphael Bulaong (pictured above) who bagged up a dominating stack of 4,230,000 (70 bb). Getting there took plenty of work. Bulaong actually started the day as the shortest stack at his table, holding just 19 big blinds and sitting 117th overall out of 167 players. He was tabled with several notables that included Metro Team Pro William Ysmael who also survived the day with a healthy 2,640,000 (44 bb) stack. Both players will once again be tabled together entering the final day.

Ranked second in chips is Jun Amsic who practically has the same stack as Ysmael, bagging up 2,660,000 (44 bb). Also continuing to impress was Day 1E chip leader Rowena Alveyra as she maintained her high position to secure a spot at the finals. Alveyra bagged up 1,940,000 (32 bb). Day 1A chip leader Jhun Aballa will be returning as well, ensuring his seat with a stack of 940,000 (15 bb).

Two of the biggest jumps of the day came from Joven Huerto and Jose Cheung (pictured above). Huerto began Day 2 ranked 153rd with just 10 bb and fought his way into a seat on the final day. However, his uphill battle isn’t over yet  as he returns once again with only 10 big blinds (600,000). As for Cheung, he started with 11 big blinds and made a far stronger push, turning his short stack into 1,965,000 (32 bb) by day’s end.

When the finalists return to the Metro Card Club, blinds begin at Level 28: 30K-60K ante 60K. Blinds increase every 40 minutes. Cards in the air at 2pm.

Check out some of the Day 2 action via the link below.

MAIN EVENT NUMBERS

• Buy-in: ₱5,500 (~USD 100)
• Guarantee: ₱5,000,000 (~USD 88,600)
• Entries: 1,216
• Prize pool: ₱6,080,000 (~USD 106,400)
• ITM: 173 players

FLIGHT NUMBERS

• Flight A: 156 entries / 22 advanced
• Flight B: 154 entries / 22 advanced
• Flight C: 217 entries / 31 advanced
• Flight D: 114 entries / 16 advanced
• Flight E: 323 entries / 46 advanced
• Flight F: 252 entries / 36 advanced

MWAM Main Event Structure

Lourd Keven Ejem Wins Freezeout

After cashing out at the Main Event, Lourd Keven Ejem jumped in the Freezeout side event and reigned victorious against 75 players to add another ₱58,060 to his day’s earnings.

• Buy-in: 3,000
• Players: 76
• Prize pool: ₱194,460

2025 MWAM Schedule