The Search for the Next Batang Metro Champion Underway; Albien Pedrosa Sets The Bar At Day 1A

The Metro Card Club’s homegrown Batang Metro Poker Challenge – Main Event got off to a hot start with Day 1A drawing a field of 144 entries. True to its roots of cultivating local talent, the opening flight featured a lively mix of regulars and recreational players, all vying for a spot in the money.

By night’s end, the target 21 ITM players emerged. Among them were familiar names that included the 2023 BMPC champion Marvin Cerbito (117,000) and the 2023 Metro Summer Event champion Moses Saquing (164,000). Setting the pace, was a fresh face in the crowd, Albien Pedrosa, who bagged a commanding 586,000 to top the Day 1A counts, and setting the bar very high for the next flights.

Day 1A – Survivors List

If you are just hearing of this event, the BMPC was first introduced in 2019 with the first two editions claimed by American pro John Francis King and local pro Lester Edoc. In 2023, local aspirant Marvin Cerbito won it for his first major Metro title followed by Mark Jerick Almusajin in 2024. Envied by all, Almusajin flipped his ₱15K buy-in into a jaw dropping ₱1.53 Million payday.

The series is now in search of its next breakout champion and it could be you!

Batang Metro – Main Event

Don’t miss out on the action and on the ₱6,000,000 guaranteed pot. There are still four flights to complete before the money round begins, giving players plenty of time to get on the felt. 

Buy-in: ₱11,000
Guarantee: ₱6,000,000
Day 1A: 144 entries / 21 advanced to ITM
Day 1B: October 2 at 2pm
Day 1C: October 3 at 2pm
Day 1D: October 4 at 1pm
Day 1E: October 4 at 7pm

Side Event Winners

Bon Yap Makes His mark At The BMPC Pre-Event

Another fairly new face made his way to the top of the podium. This week, Bon Yap secured his first-ever Metro side event trophy after delivering an impressive performance from start to finish. Out of the 56 players that advanced in the money, Yap entered the final day as one of the biggest stacks thanks to his strong Day 1D showing, where he topped the counts.

By the time the final table was formed, he was wedged in the middle, until an early grind took him to the top with eight players still left. However, his time on the throne was brief as the lead shifted multiple times. It wasn’t until a  decisive hand put Yap firmly in the driver’s seat, and from there he never looked back.

Yap went on to eliminate Ronald Morfe in 3rd place before striking an ICM deal with Li-Yang Hsu, securing himself the lion’s share of the prize pool. Two hands later, Yap defeated Hsu in shocking fashion with pocket twos flopping the two-outer to dust pocket threes.

Buy-In: ₱3,000
Guarantee: ₱700,000
Entries: 410
Prize pool: ₱1,127,500
ITM: 56 players

Final Table Payouts

You can relive Yap’s race to victory by clicking on the link provided –>Batang Metro Pre-Event livestream.

SIDE EVENT WINNERS

Josie Bagunu Wins First Ever Batang Metro Ladies Showdown

The Batang Metro Ladies Showdown did not disappoint with a whopping 132 entries! To enter, it cost nothing but one’s presence, however there was a cost to re-enter, re-buy, and add-on. Many availed of this to pump up the pot from a guarantee of ₱50K to a sweeter ₱88,520. 

By night’s end, Josie Bagunu outlasted the competition to win her first ever Metro series side event win and an ICM payout of ₱18,112. Bagunu defeated Elena Aguas at heads up who earned ₱15,948 for her efforts and Kathleen Padilla finished 3rd for ₱12,960.

Mark Ericson Chua Binks NLH 200K GTD

The NLH 200k Guaranteed event was also another popular event, pulling in 135 runners at ₱3,000 each to surpass the advertised guarantee for a prize pool of ₱371,250. Mark Ericson Chua rose to the throne to secure the trophy and the ₱71,875 champion’s purse.

Jung Hak Hung Last One Standing At Survivor Knockout

The Survivor Knockout also filled up a portion of the room with 109 runners contributing ₱2,000 each to the the pot for another guarantee breacher. The prize pool swelled to ₱155,664. After a three-way ICM deal, Korea’s Jung Hak Jung shipped it to collect the largest cut of ₱17,152 plus bounties. Finishing in 2nd place was Robert Cheng for ₱12,976,, and Paul Valenzuela took 3rd for ₱12,336.

William Barona Tops Mixed Game NLH / PLO

Though only a small field of 39 entered the Mixed Game ₱4,000 buy-in NLH / PLO, there was still plenty of action and excitement from start to finish. Earning all the laurels was William Barona who pocketed the lion’s share of the ₱133,809 prize pool, turning his buy-in, more than ten times over for a score of ₱42,804.

John Leonard Dela Cruz Wins NLH Turbo

A total of 69 signed up to the ₱3,5000 buy-in NLHE Turbo for a pot of ₱207,552. John Leonard Dela Cruz emerged as champion for a payout of ₱58,052.

More side event action and of course the Main Event taking place until October 6 here at Metro!