Filipino Poker Tour 3

The 3rd Filipino Poker Tour was held in The Metro last weekend, June 28 and 29. There were 111 players who entered to vie for the Php3Million+ total pot. This makes the tournament one of the biggest tournaments here in the Philippines.

 

The final table of this 3rd leg of the tour was unbelievable. It included a lot of the staples in the Philippine poker community.

 

5th place - Ed Marcelo

I have a lot of respect for this guy. Ed's very disciplined and his tournament results are consistently high. I can't remember seeing him play in a ring game though. He never shares any of his thoughts about plays or cards or poker, on or off the poker table. Which is why I never know what he's thinking.

 

4th place - Franco Mabanta

I don't remember having been on the same table as Franco. The only time I was on the same table as him was in a PokerStars freeroll satellite for the FPT2. Actually, I think I played in a 100/200 with him once. I really can't remember. And I seldom see him on tournaments where I play. This is probably because he's always at the big table which I can't afford. But I hear he's successful there so I guess that makes him pretty good.

 

3rd place - Ronald Singson

Ronald's also always at the big table but I've seen him at the 10/20 a few times trying to get the action rolling when The Metro was just starting out. I remember being glad that Ronald's on that table because at that time, 10/20 players didn't know how to play properly. I've never been on the same table as him in a tournament. He placed well in last year's APPT so that amounts to something.

 

2nd place - Erick Sia

I've played with Erick a few times and he's pretty smart. He knows his odds better than most. I hear he's successful online. And he finished 2nd place in this tournament.

 

1st place - Neil Arce

Neil is probably the most recognizable players in the Philippine poker community. He's the only local poker player to place ITM in the WSOP main event. That accomplishment alone is worth mentioning again. He's the only local poker player to place ITM in the WSOP main event. This FPT3 win cements his place as one of the best in the country.

 

My hat's off to Dirty Ice Cream and for the rest of these guys for showing that poker is not about luck and it takes a lot of skill to be consistent in our sport. You all deserve to be recognized. You're all an inspiration to our local poker players.