MANILA, Philippines - James Mendoza defeated Manila-based businessman Christopher Runas in their head-to-head showdown to rule the eighth leg of the P10 million Philippine Poker Tour at the Metro Card Club in Davao City yesterday.
Down almost 2 to 1 in chip count at the start of the face-off, Mendoza, a 22-year-old student from Cebu, went into overdrive as soon as he got things all evened up, turning back the 39-year old Runas with deft maneuvering in the stretch 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 a lot of thought. At the showdown, Mendoza had Ac 6d against Runas’ Ks 5d. The board ran Ad 4c Kh, giving each player a pair, although Mendoza was slightly ahead. The turn of 7s and river of 8h proved to be of no help to Runas, allowing Mendoza to run away with the title.
“After I got even in chip count, I tried to play aggressively and put pressure on him. I’m glad it worked,” said Mendoza who raised his arms in jubilation following the victory.
The third year Business Management student from the University of San Carlos started the final table with the third lowest stack among the 10 players. Slowly, he worked himself up among the leaders until only him, Runas, and Davao’s very own Rodel Cameros, were left.
“I’m so happy I didn’t expect to reach this far considering that there were many good players in the final table,” said Mendoza, whose biggest payout before this was the P300,000 he won in a major Cebu tournament early this year.
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.
Cameros came in third followed by Marvin Fernandez, Philip Jerome Arcena, Manny Dairo, Ely Yap, Raymond Dover, John Four Galvez, and Martin Gonzales in that order.
The next leg of the nationwide series will be held at the Squeeze Poker Club in Dau, Mabalacat City while the 10th and final leg is scheduled at the Let’s All In Poker Club along Macapagal Blvd. in Pasay City.