Koray Aldemir Wins Triton Manila Main Event for $1.35M

The 2017 Triton Super High Roller Series Manila was held at the Solaire Resort & Casino, with the festival reaching its climax on Tuesday after the conclusion of its US$128,800 buy-in Main Event. A total of 29 players plus 10 rebuys resulted in a prize pool worth $4,814,720, and following three days of action it was German pro Koray Aldemir who would eventually walk away with the trophy, as well as a first place prize of $1,349,189.
Amongst the notable pros entering the Main Event was such players as Daniel Colman, Elton Tsang, and Phil Ivey, who was hoping to book his first tournament cash since January 2016. Only the final table of six would see a return on their buy-ins, though, which included Dan Cates, Bryn Kenney, Sergio Aido, Devan Tang, Wai Kin Yong, and Koray Aldemir.
Sergio Aido (Q-2) then eliminated a short-stacked Wai Yong (9-7) in 6th, after which Koray Aldemir (K-Q) took care of Devan Tang (A-J) in 5th. Half an hour would then pass before Daniel Cates (A-K) sent Bryn Kenney (K-6) to the rail in 4th, after which the remaining three competitors agreed to the following deal, while leaving $51,000 and the title for the eventual winner:
Sergio Aido: $1,349,189
Koray Aldemir: $1,241,197
Dan Cates: $1,009,470
Soon after, Aido (K-Q) knocked out Dan Cates (K-J) to take a 2-to-1 chip advantage over Aldemir into the heads-up phase of the tournament. Aldemir was soon able to reverse the tables, though, and by the time the deciding hand was played he had moved all-in preflop with A-2, only to be called by Aido with his last 12bbs holding A-2. The Q-9-8-3-5 board subsequently sealed the deal, handing Koray Aldemir the victory. Following the second biggest score of his professional career, Koray Aldemir now boasts $4,337,713 in lifetime earnings, while Sergio Aido is not too far behind on $4,662,366.
Final Table Results:
1: Koray Aldemir $1,304,273
2: Sergio Aido $1,349,189
3: Daniel Cates $1,009,470
4: Bryn Kenney $506,090
5: Devan Tang $361,400
6: Wai Yong $289,120