DAVAO CITY—James Mendoza, a 22-year-old student from Cebu, got the better of Manila-based businessman Christopher Runas in their showdown Thursday to capture the eighth leg of the P10-million Philippine Poker Tour at Metro Card Club here.
Down almost 1-to-2 in chip count at the start of the face-off, Mendoza went into overdrive as soon as he got things all evened up, turning back the 39-year-old Runas to pocket the P330,000 top prize and earn a seat in the Final Table of Champions in March next year.
The end for Runas came when he shoved all in on Mendoza’s three-bet raise of 80,000 which the eventual champion called.
“After I got even in chip count, I tried to play aggressively and put pressure on him. I’m glad it worked,” said Mendoza.
The Business Management junior from University of San Carlos started the final table with the third lowest stack among 10 players.
Runas, who played here only after delivering the donation raised by kins to the victims of Typhoon Pablo in nearby Compostela Valley, settled for the P160,000 runner-up prize.
Davao’s Rodel Cameros came in third followed by Marvin Fernandez, Philip Jerome Arcena, Manny Dairo, Ely Yap, Raymond Dover, John Four Galvez, and Martin Gonzales.
AAO Big Event at Pasay today
WITH the stag derby season officially over, the cock season starts today at Pasay City Cockpit with the “AAO Big Event 5-Cock Derby featuring more than 80 fights.
Popular cocker Gerry Ramos of the National Cockers Alliance is hosting the event.
All set to field their prized gamebirds are Charlie “Atong” Ang, Mayor Nene Aguilar, Gov. Ito Ynares, Bebot Roxas, LB Candelaria, Arman Santos, Allan Siaco, Teves Brothers, Rep. Rudy Albano, Rodolfo Pineda, Boy Valenzuela, FFG Archers, Mayor Jerry Lagbas, Claude Bautista, Eric dela Rosa and Mayor Josef Panganiban, among others.