Manila, Philippines, January 12, 2017 – The NLH Welcome Event resumed today with the Final 8 players out of 120 entries back at the felt for the race to victory. Taking control at the latter stages was Filipino pro John Tech, railing half the field to claim the US$4,460 first prize and his first trophy of the festival.

NLH Welcome Event Champion, John Tech

The Final 8 began with George Taylor as the first casualty, falling in 8th place. Taylor shoved his 2♣ 2♦ at the flop and ran right into Tech’s A♣ A♠. Immediately after, short stacks began to fall in succession. Jay Aldave couldn’t dodge Guido Budack’s overcards and was sent out in 7th place. Sato Shinichiro was next, also falling at the hands of Budack in 6th place, then Jonald Garcia was rivered by Phil Rohm to join the railbirds in 5th place.

At this point, it was all Tech. He shipped in all of Rohm’s chips with another winning pocket aces, then ousted Budack with his 2♦ 2♥ set against A♦ J♦ on a board of 2♠ 5♦ A♥ 4♣ Q♣.