The Philippine Star

WPT Phl kicks off at Solaire Resort

- By olmin leyba

The first-ever World Poker Tour (WPT) National Philippine­s kicked off yesterday with a charity tourney featuring “Poker Barbie” Lacey Jones and a battle for national pride pitting Pinoy cards aces led by Wally “the Dream” Sombero against foreign rivals at Solaire Resort and Casino.

Jones, a model and poker pro, added glamor to the $150 NLHE Solaire Cares Charity RebuyAddon, a fund-raising game also participat­ed in by local celebritie­s that served as one of the highlight opening activities in the 11-day event.

“It’s really important for the poker community to give back. I was in Tacloban six weeks ago with (NBA star) Shawn Marion for the groundbrea­king of a housing project we’re doing there and I can see that they still need help a year after (the devastatio­n of Typhoon Yolanda). We shouldn’t forget and there’s still a lot we can help them with,” she said during yesterday’s press conference.

“I hope we can raise a lot of money,” added the beauteous Jones, who was joined in the table by young poker millionair­e Daniel “Jungleman” Cates.

Sombero, regarded as the godfather of Asian poker, skippers the contingent tasked with carrying the home country’s flag in the inaugural Nations Challenge presented by Solar Sports, a unique team event pitting country versus country with a Stanley Cup-like trophy at stake.

Joining him are former billiards pro turned poker phenom Mike Takayama, renowned internatio­nal campaigner Gerardo “Jay” Lubas, Mark Benasa, the most successful Filipino in online poker, 2012 Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) Player of the Year Martin Corpus, APT Head-Hunter titlist Jay Tolon, APT Cebu Heads-Up king Stephen Gaw and brothers Czardy, Marc and Euryd Rivera.

“All are very good players, a good mix,” said Sombero of his team.

Award-winning actor Philip Salvador completed the roster.

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