Time is considered plentiful in most Latin American countries. Nothing is rushed and being late is considered the norm. In a place where slow and steady is the lifestyle, the PokerStars.net-sponsored LAPT Punta del Este Main Event final table was anything but.
When the final pot was pushed, Uruguay’s own Alex Gustavo Komaromi sat behind a mountain of chips — proud new owner of the LAPT Punta del Este trophy and $244,720 in prize money.
“I feel great. I haven’t played many tournaments, so to play my first big event — the LAPT — and have this performance, it’s great. I’m really, really happy,” said Komaromi.
On being the first player from Uruguay to win an LAPT title, Komaromi said: “There’s a lot of good players from Uruguay. Sadly, we never win anything, but this is a start. Hopefully we will have many more winners at big events in the future.”
Runner-up Claudio Enzo Daniel Piedrabuena from Argentina earned $141,220 for his efforts. The 52-year-old was the oldest player at the Punta del Este Main Event final table, and the six-figure cash was the largest of his career.
Three PokerStars qualifiers reached the LAPT Punta del Este final table in Supernova Engelberth Steve Varela from Venezuela (3rd – $88,970) and Brazilians Felipe Sangalli Pasini (5th – $46,600) and Fernando Araujo (7th – $27,770).
Team PokerStars boasted a small army of Pros in Punta del Este, including: Angel Guillen (Mexico), Christian de Leon (Mexico), Gualter Salles (Brazil), Leo Fernandez (Argentina), Greg DeBora (Canada) and Team Online members Karlo Lopez, Diego Brunelli and Fredy Torres. Unfortunately, none of them were able to escape the minefield that was Day 1.
Komaromi, Piedrabuena and Varela all moved into the top 10 in the LAPT Player of the Year race with their strong showings in Punta del Este. CLICK HERE to view the full leaderboard and read more about the LAPT Player of the Year race.
The LAPT Punta del Este Main Event attracted a record-breaking 422 players from 30 different countries, spanning five continents.
PUNTA DEL ESTE FINAL TABLE RESULTS
1st: Alex Gustavo Komaromi – $244,720
2nd: Claudio Enzo Daniel Piedrabuena – $141,220
3rd: Engelberth Steve Varela (PokerStars Qualifier) – $88,970
4th: Carlos Adolfo Watanabe (PokerStars Player) – $65,430
5th: Felipe Sangalli Pasini (PokerStars Qualifier) – $46,600
6th: Nelson Trad Neto – $37,190
7th: Fernando Araujo (PokerStars Qualifier) – $27,770
8th: Rafael Lopes Monteiro (PokerStars Player ) – $18,360
