Local grinder Alvir Inocentes turned out to be the biggest earner in the Manila Megastack 17 Festival at Okada Manila weekend last week after taking down the Kick Off event for P877,000 (~USD 15,860).

International runners Gaby Sawma, Takashi Kawauchi, and Hyeongi Hong similarly shared the spotlight having bagged spade trophies from their side event wins.

The qualifying rounds for the P2 million (~USD 36,160) guaranteed Mystery Bounty also played through with Bernard Chua topping the ranks into Thursday's  Day 2 Final.

A regular favorite across the Manila Megastack lineup, this season's Kick Off event once again smashed its P3 million (~USD 54,150) guarantee by miles. A total of 488 entries were recorded across three starting flights and saw its prize pool swell to over double in value at  P6,248,352 (~USD 112,990). By the final day, only 73 returned to the felt led by Philippines' Jeorge Lagatuz with each guaranteed a minimum payout of P23,500 (~USD 420).

The journey to the final table, however, took over six hours of play before the field drew down to its final nine. The last three tables saw some of the field's toughest contenders slip away including APPT Manila champion Ashley Patterson, Day chip leader Lagatuz, Filipino pro Christopher Mateo, and bracelet winner Mike Takayama.

SOMUCHPOKER.COM