Main Event
Day 3 Completed
2023 Poker Dream Manila
Main Event
Day: 3
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
2023 Poker Dream Manila
Buy-in
66,000 PHP
Prize Pool
28,751,382 PHP
Entries
499
Level
31
Blinds
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
200,000
Players Left
1
Edwin "Hit D' Heat" Dela Cruz Wins the 2023 Poker Dream Manila Main Event (PHP5,510,000/$99,518)
Level 31
: Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
The flagship event of the 2023 Poker Dream Manila live poker stop at the Grand Wing Casino at Newport City in Metro Manila has crowned a winner and the golden dragon trophy stays on home soil. Pinoy poker player Edwin "Hit D' Heat" Dela Cruz entered the nine-handed final table out of a field of 499 entries with the lead and ultimately came out on top of a topsy-turvy heads-up duel with Italy's Alessandro Taranto.
Both shared the lion's share of the PHP 28,751,382 ($519,578) prize pool and Dela Cruz scored a third victory on the live poker circuit since February 2023, taking home the top prize of PHP5,510,000 ($99,518). Taranto put in a valiant effort especially considering that he dropped all the way down to just three big blinds in heads-up play and was just one diamond away from securing a miracle comeback victory. However, he ultimately had to settle for a consolation prize of PHP3,460,000 ($62,492).
The final spot on the podium belonged to a veteran poker pro from the Philippines in Terry Gonzaga, while fellow countryman David "Dave Spade" Erquiaga became the first casualty of the day.
| Rank | Winner | Country | Prize (in PHP) | Prize (in USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edwin Dela Cruz | Philippines | 5,510,000 | $99,518 |
| 2 | Alessandro Taranto | Italy | 3,460,000 | $62,492 |
| 3 | Terry Gonzaga | Philippines | 2,471,382 | $44,636 |
| 4 | Tor Welo | Norway | 1,946,000 | $35,147 |
| 5 | Ryan McAllister | United States | 1,523,000 | $27,507 |
| 6 | William Teoh | Malaysia | 1,184,000 | $21,385 |
| 7 | Valeriy Pak | Belarus | 885,000 | $15,984 |
| 8 | Nicola Montalbano | Italy | 609,000 | $10,999 |
| 9 | David Erquiaga | Philippines | 499,000 | $9,013 |
Aforementioned Erquiaga has taken the Asia-Pacific live poker scene by storm in the last two years with nine victories and more than half a dozen runner-up finishes. However, he became the first casualty of the final table when his pair of eights and a gutshot was looked up by Taranto with king-jack suited for top pair and top kicker.
The next casualty was Taranto's countryman Nicola Montalbano, who bowed out in a three-way all-in showdown that propelled Gonzaga right back into contention. Valeriy Pak and the always dangerous William Teoh were the next two to collect their pay checks and Ryan McAllister followed suit in sixth place.
Until then, Dela Cruz was cruising atop the leaderboard but Tor Welo pulled ahead. In a pivotal hand, Dela Cruz then missed a flush draw with eight-six suited but rivered the nut straight and Welo paid off a heavy pot-sized bet in a duel of the chip leaders to shift the momentum back to the pinoy player.
The Norwegian never recovered from that heavy blow and bowed out in fourth place. Heads-up play was reached only a short while later when Gonzaga was dispatched by Taranto and the duel for the trophy started with a small lead for crowd favourite Dela Cruz.
Taranto dominated the early stages to pull even only for a string of hands to cut into his stack. The Italian was with one foot out of the door already when his last three big blinds went into the middle with eight-trey suited. However, the seven-deuce suited of Dela Cruz missed and the comeback commenced. Three double-ups later, Taranto even gained the lead, which then changed several times as both players were on the verge of victory.
Three and a half hours after the elimination of Gonzaga in third place, the champion was then crowned. In a limped pot, Dela Cruz's ten-six flopped two pair and Taranto's slow-played pocket queens went down in flames.
This concludes the fourth ever edition of the up and coming Poker Dream live poker series, as well as the PokerNews live reporting from the Philippines but the next international poker stops are right around the corner.
Alessandro Taranto Eliminated in 2nd Place (PHP3,460,000/$62,492)
Level 31
: Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Alessandro Taranto limped in from the button and Edwin Dela Cruz checked his option to a flop of J♥10♠6♠.
Dela Cruz bet 300,000 and Taranto called. On the 3♥ turn, Dela Cruz increased his bet sizing to 750,000 and that now prompted a raise to 2,000,000 by Taranto, who had 3,300,000 behind. Dela Cruz studied his opponent and the board carefully before moving all-in, as Taranto then called within a second.
Alessandro Taranto: Q♦Q♣
Edwin Dela Cruz: 10♥6♦
Once the cards were revealed, Dela Cruz showed a quick fist pump as they awaited the river card. That was the 8♦ to seal the victory for the local player, who instantly grabbed the trophy for a second to then shake hands with Taranto.
The miracle comeback from just three big blinds for the Italian was cut short, as Dela Cruz became the champion. Taranto takes home PHP3,460,000 ($62,492) while the golden dragon trophy and top prize of PHP5,510,000 ($99,518) belongs to Dela Cruz.
A recap of today's action is to follow.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
15,000,000 | 5,900,000 |
|
Busted |
Taranto Hits Back With Another Double
Level 31
: Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Down to 2.8 million on the button after losing some pots, Alessandro Taranto moved all-in and Edwin Dela Cruz called.
Alessandro Taranto: A♣10♥
Edwin Dela Cruz: Q♦10♣
The A♥9♣3♣7♦K♣ board locked up the double for the Italian on the turn already and he preserved the chances to claim the title.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,100,000 | -1,900,000 |
|
|
5,900,000 | 1,900,000 |
Only One Street of Value for Taranto
Level 31
: Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Edwin Dela Cruz limped the Q♥7♣ on the button for Alessandro Taranto to check his option with the 10♣9♦. The Q♦J♣8♥ flop gave Taranto the straight which he bet for 200,000. Dela Cruz flat-called with his top pair and then folded the J♠ turn when Taranto bet once more.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
11,000,000 | -1,300,000 |
|
|
4,000,000 | 1,300,000 |
Dela Cruz Bluffs With the Nut Low
Level 31
: Blinds 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Alessandro Taranto limped the J♥5♦ and Edwin Dela Cruz checked with the 3♣2♣. The Q♣7♥4♠ flop was checked by both before Dela Cruz check-called for 200,000 on the 9♥ turn. The bluff followed on the K♥ river as Dela Cruz bet 1,000,000 with the nut low and Taranto folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
12,300,000 | 400,000 |
|
|
2,700,000 | -400,000 |
Level: 31
Blinds: 100,000/200,000
Ante: 200,000
Dela Cruz Doubles Right Back Into the Lead
Level 30
: Blinds 100,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
Edwin Dela Cruz limped in with the 7♦2♦ and Alessandro Taranto checked the 10♣9♦. The Q♦J♦5♦ flop gave Dela Cruz a flush and Taranto check-called for 250,000.
What followed was the K♣ turn on which Taranto checked again. Dela Cruz bet 650,000 and Taranto check-raised to 2,000,000 to then call the shove by his opponent.
The 7♠ river kept Dela Cruz ahead with the flush and he doubled right back into the lead.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
11,900,000 | 6,000,000 |
|
|
3,100,000 | -6,000,000 |
Boat Over Boat Changes the Lead
Level 30
: Blinds 100,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
Alessandro Taranto raised to 300,000 with the 9♠9♣ and Edwin Dela Cruz called out of the big blind with 8♠7♥.
The 9♥8♥4♠ flop gave Taranto top set which he bet for 150,000, Dela Cruz check-called.
On the 7♠ turn, Dela Cruz checked and Taranto bet 700,000 only to get check-raised to 1,500,000, earning a call by Taranto after some consideration.
Worst case scenario for Dela Cruz came with the 8♣ river on which Dela Cuz jammed and was snap-called by Taranto, who soared into the lead once more.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,100,000 | 3,800,000 |
|
|
5,900,000 | -3,800,000 |
Not Many Things Change for Now
Level 30
: Blinds 100,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
Alessandro Taranto raised to 300,000 with the K♦J♣ and Edwin Dela Cruz flat-called with the Q♦10♣.
The Q♠6♥5♣ flop was checked by Dela Cruz with the top pair, who then called a bet of 200,000. On the 9♦ turn, both players checked and the K♥ came on the river. Dela Cruz checked again, Taranto bet 1,000,000 and received no call.
Dela Cuz limped in with the 7♦3♦ and Taranto raised to 550,000 with the A♦10♣ as a fold from Dela Cruz ended the proceedings.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,700,000 | -300,000 |
|
|
5,300,000 | 300,000 |