“Dream Come True” Benhur Ybarsabal Defeats Lester Edoc For 2025 Batang Metro Main Event Title

After a thrilling tug of war for the chip lead, it was a lucky river that shifted the momentum and sealed the outcome. Davao’s Benhur Ybarsabal caught the card he needed to catapult into a commanding lead and eventually defeat seasoned pro Lester Edoc for the 2025 Batang Metro Main Event title. In a post-game interview with Metro, Ybarsabal was ecstatic, (Translated from Tagalog)

“I was so LUCKY! I navigated three major lucky breaks during the course of the tournament. This win means a lot to me. It’s ‘A Dream Come True’, ‘A Goal Achieved’, and ‘A Promised Fulfilled’. Before I registered, I promised my staker I would reach the Final Table, he responded, ‘must be champion, not just FT.” 

In a post-game interview with Metro commentator Jester Intia, the newly crowned champion admitted just how much the moment weighed on him.

“Yes, my game changed because I was intimidated playing Lester. We all know Lester, he is a champion. He has so much experience. I am at a disadvantage against his skill…. I was also very nervous. I am not used to heads up. Seldom do I reach heads up for a championship.” 

Final Table Payouts

1st Benhur Ybarsabal – ₱1,043,300
2nd Lester Edoc – ₱630,000
3rd Cezar Quiambao – ₱400,000
4th Jun Talosig – ₱280,000
5th Gerard Lubas III – ₱220,000
6th Richard Marquez – ₱185,000
7th Jedo Docto – ₱150,000
8th Lemmor Patulot – ₱125,000
9th Ricky Singapan – ₱100,000

Relive the final table title chase via the livestream on Sgt Santori Vlogs YouTube: 

Main Event – Numbers 

Date: October 1-6, 2025
Buy-in: ₱11,000
Guarantee: ₱6,000,000
Entries: 648
Prize pool: ₱6,480,000
ITM: 93 players

Daily Results 

Day 1A: 144 entries / 21 advanced to ITM
Day 1B: 55 entries / 8 advanced to ITM
Day 1C: 128 entries / 18 advanced to ITM
Day 1D: 213 entries / 30 advanced to ITM
Day 1E: 108 entries / 16 advanced to ITM
Day 2: 92 advanced
Final Day: 18 remaining

Final Table Rundown

Out of the 648 entries in the 2025 Batang Metro Poker Challenge Main Event, 18 players returned on the final day led by 2022 champion Lester Edoc, who held a commanding stack. By the time the final table was set, Edoc remained in control with a sizable lead and eventually carried it all the way to heads-up against Benhur Ybarsabal.

The final battle began with Edoc ahead, holding 50 bb to Ybarsabal’s 31 bb. Just four hands into heads-up play, Ybarsabal successfully grinded to steal the lead from Edoc who was behind for the first time all day. Riding the momentum, Ybarsabal pulled ahead to 45 bb to Edoc’s 36 bb.

On one of his winning pots (hand below), Ybarsabal had {7h}{6h}, Edoc bet 40% pot, Ybarsabal then shoved, board was {9h}{5h}{jc}{qh}. When asked why he repopped all in, the champ explained,

“I put his hand on a Queen or a much bigger pair on the turn which has a heart draw cause of his bet sizing on the turn which was almost half the pot. Secondly I wasn’t confident enough of having a 7 high flush going to the river.” 

However, the tide turned. On a board showing {4d}{qd}{3h}{as}{ac}, Ybarsabal hero-called Edoc’s huge over-bet. Edoc tabled {qh}{8d} for queens up defeating Ybarsabal’s {6s}{4c}. With that pot, Edoc snatched back the advantage, surging to 48 bb while Ybarsabal was left with just 16 bb. When asked why he hero-called, Ybarsabal said,

“I called because of the two busted draws – the straight draw and diamond flush draw.” 

Back on the grind, Ybarsabal doubled up twice and swung back into the lead. Edoc dropped to just 6 big blinds then clawed his way back with two double ups as well to regain the edge with 31 bb to Ybarsabal’s 25 bb. The decisive hand then landed.

On a board of {5h}{jc}{3c}, Ybarsabal shoved with {9s}{5d} only to see Edoc snap him off with {kd}{jd} top pair. The {6d} on the turn kept Edoc in front, and for a moment it looked like the seasoned pro was about to close it out until the river landed {5s}.

“I personally was disgusted sucking out that five on the river. It was obvious on my reaction during that time. I didn’t celebrate, I can’t even look at kuya Lester that time. As a player, I know the feeling of being sucked out by my opponent, it sucks big time.”

The stacks flipped dramatically – 50 big blinds for Ybarsabal against just 5 bigs for Edoc. The final hand came immediately after… (hand below)

Congratulations to the Ybarsabal! Capturing his first-ever major title at Metro, he stands as a true Batang Metro champion.

“I’m still continuously learning every game and event I play. Andami kong natutunan din sa mga advise and lessons from friends and fellow poker players (Janno Riga, Eman Segismundo, Joseph Sia).”

Payouts 10th-92nd

10 Gomez Raymundo Jr – ₱ 75,000.00
11 Rivera Marc Richelieu – ₱ 75,000.00
12 Alfelor Carlyniña C. – ₱ 60,000.00
13 Segismundo Michael Zeus P. – ₱ 60,000.00
14 Nachor Vivencio Jr. – ₱ 60,000.00
15 Dela Cruz Ivan Dennis San Diego – ₱ 50,000.00
16 David Rene Mar – ₱ 50,000.00
17 Ragudo Mark Andrew – ₱ 50,000
18 Bautista Milbert D. – ₱ 50,000.00
19 Acdal Aj A. – ₱ 40,000.00
20 Baider John Philip C. – ₱ 40,000.00
21 Cerbito Marlon – ₱ 40,000.00
22 Tiu Raymond – ₱ 40,000.00
23 Manguiat Simeon P. – ₱ 40,000.00
24 Corpuz Cesario B. – ₱ 40,000.00
25 Magadan John Jay – ₱ 40,000.00
26 Sarmiento William L. – ₱ 40,000.00
27 Rivera Ashby – ₱ 40,000
28 Reyes Alan Tanco – ₱ 40,000.00
29 De Villa Ginbert – ₱ 40,000.00
30 Lumbera Adrian – ₱ 40,000.00
31 Colada Jose – ₱ 40,000.00
32 Leoncio Jan Jason – ₱ 40,000.00
33 Adam Ford – ₱ 40,000.00
34 Lim Thomas Ty – ₱ 40,000.00
35 Pedrosa Albien M. – ₱ 40,000.00
36 Magbutay Riener Iii B. – ₱ 40,000.00
37 Bajo Joemar T. – ₱ 35,000.00
38 Clado Jenard Ivan L. – ₱ 35,000.00
39 Quijano Anacleto T. – ₱ 35,000.00
40 Almusajin Mark Jerick S. – ₱ 35,000.00
41 Javier Jimmie M. – ₱ 35,000.00
42 Cayetano Mikko S. – ₱ 35,000
43 Costiniano John Niko – ₱ 35,000.00
44 Dela Cruz James Rirod Tiangco – ₱ 35,000.00
45 Chan David T. – ₱ 35,000.00
46 Talamayan Joseph – ₱ 30,000
47 Acacio Randolph – ₱ 30,000.00
48 Montebon Ii Trifie – ₱ 30,000
49 Yap Alan James D. – ₱ 30,000
50 Calingasan Carlo Rey T. – ₱ 30,000.00
51 Mateo Kevin V. – ₱ 30,000.00
52 Saquing Moses – ₱ 30,000.00
53 Garcia Jonald O. – ₱ 30,000.00
54 Cayamanda Amiel Jerome G. – ₱ 30,000
55 Acosta Harold A. – ₱ 25,000
56 Mangaliman Benjamin – ₱ 25,000
57 Pesino Frederick R. – ₱ 25,000.00
58 Sibal Jeoffrey L. – ₱ 25,000.00
59 Pamplona Jeffrey – ₱ 25,000
60 Moriles James Arnan M. – ₱ 25,000.00
61 Marcial Lou Forteza – ₱ 25,000.00
62 Rivera Czardy Earldale – ₱ 25,000.00
63 Villanueva Jr Renato – ₱ 25,000.00
64 Segismundo Emmanuel – ₱ 22,500.00
65 Mangarin Louis F. – ₱ 22,500.00
66 Fabech Tobias Sung – ₱ 22,500.00
67 Cerbito Marvin T. – ₱ 22,500.00
68 Ampatuan Badrudin – ₱ 22,500.00
69 Mangalindan Jeurg Jyro – ₱ 22,500
70 Garcia Bea – ₱ 22,500.00
71 Ledina Benigno Jojo – ₱ 22,500
72 Jeremias Joseroy S. – ₱ 22,500.00
73 Ebarle Benjamin T. – ₱ 20,000.00
74 Laxamana Marlon – ₱ 20,000.00
75 Villa Hernan Jaybee – ₱ 20,000.00
76 Fontillas Lloyd Siasat – ₱ 20,000.00
77 Inocentes Alvir R. – ₱ 20,000.00
78 Michl Joris – ₱ 20,000.00
79 Morfe Ronald Cases – ₱ 20,000
80 Torres Santino Carlos – ₱ 20,000
81 Capule Leopoldo T. – ₱ 20,000.00
82 Basilio Lionel – ₱ 20,000.00
83 Ambata Rick H. – ₱ 20,000.00
84 Tech John Zendrick – ₱ 20,000.00
85 Magnotti Joseph – ₱ 20,000.00
86 Amsic Jun G. – ₱ 20,000.00
87 Delos Reyes Francis – ₱ 20,000.00
88 Carmona Adones – ₱ 20,000.00
89 Bueza Michael A – ₱ 20,000.00
90 Espela Marco Jose Mercader – ₱ 20,000.00
91 Huerto Joven Ingente – ₱ 20,000.00
92 Jarata Stanley Pestano – ₱ 20,000.00
93 Calingasan Carlo Rey T. – ₱ 20,000.00

Marlon Laxamana Wins The Closer

Buy-in: ₱4,000
Guarantee: ₱300,000
Entries: 99
Prize pool: ₱356,400
ITM: 14 places

1 Laxamana Marlon – ₱ 75,388.00
2 Nachor Vivencio Jr. – ₱ 69,066.00
3 Calderon Romel – ₱ 50,562.00
4 Delos Santos Ruel Francisco – ₱ 30,000.00
5 Bernardo Luis M. – ₱ 23,000.00
6 Patulot Lemmor – ₱ 18,000.00
7 Cheng Robert – ₱ 15,000.00
8 Rebadulla Edmon – ₱ 12,000.00
9 Aguilar Jr. Rodolfo – ₱ 10,000.00
10 Bajo Joemar T. – ₱ 8,000.00
11 Ferrera Joseph -₱ 7,000.00
12 Ragudo Mark Andrew -₱ 7,000.00
13 Dela Cruz John Leonard -₱ 5,000.00
14 Baider John Philip C. -₱ 5,000.00