CHAMP!

Dec. 10, 2005 was the finals for the Business & Leisure Texas Hold’em Mall Tour - Eastwood challenge.

Well, it had to rain on our finals, but that did not dampen the spirits of our challengers. We did wait out the rain a bit, hoping it would finally die out, but what the heck, the show must go on. Honda’s President, Takashi Sekiguchi and Deputy Head for Marketing Arnel Doria were there to see the tournament to its glorious end, and of course to personally hand over the prizes to the Grand Champion.

Our bar host for the night, Something Fishy, also a very familiar name in the Eastwood Mall, came out with a hearty buffet for the participants and guests. The steaming hot lugaw and tokwa’t baboy was perfect for that rainy Saturday night. Thanks to our good friend from ABS-CBN days, Mr. Lito Balquedra for supporting this venture.

It was a long drawn-out night for the Texas Hold’em players. The game lasted for almost three hours, with each player starting out with an original 50,000 units. Chuck Reyes, 2nd placer in the first game of the series, came late, having just touched down from China. Too bad he came too late to be counted, but he stayed to watch the action.

First to be counted out among the eight challengers was Jun Lanas who is as veteran as one can get when it comes to poker. The guy is good, so when he copped out in just the second round of the game, most everyone was surprised.

Oscar Ocampo, like Jun Lanas, also copped out in the second round, with as much as 42,500 units in the second round!

Oliver Zorilla, winner of the second leg, and Juan Salcedo III, 2nd placer also in Leg 3, bowed out in round 3.

The only lady player in the league Deanna Brainard was the fifth to go. She put up a good fight, but Deanna and Alli Ong stepped down at the fifth round.

That only left Franco Montano, second runner-up in Leg 3, and Joe Davies from Leg 2 facing off for the championship. On the 4th round, Franco had 142,000 units while Joe had an intimidating 258,000 units. It was a tough battle for Franco, but in the 6th round of the final game of the series, he had to bow out to the series over-all Champion, Joe Davies. Congratulations, Joe.

Our thanks to everyone who supported the series - Honda Motor Philippines, our major sponsor, Sports Plus, Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, Concept One. Asahi Glass, Genuino Water, Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, Vistamar Beach Resort & Hotel, A-Toy, Something Fishy, Recipes, and Jack Daniels.

The Champ, Joe Davies, was presented with a gift certificate for a 2-night stay at Vistamar Beach Resort and Hotel in Anilao, Batangas, another certificate for a 2-night stay at the New Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila, a trophy and an all-glass dining table from Asahi Glass Philippines, a grand Bucket Seat from Concept One, and a gift pack from Jack Daniels.

See you in the next Texas Hold’em Challenge.

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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