May 25 2012, Josh Cahlik

On Day 2, 245 players returned with hopes of grabbing the title of PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este Main Event champion. With only 77 players remaining at the end of the day, Ivan Luca is closest to achieving that goal, as he sits atop the tournament leader board with 329,900 in chips.

Joining Luca amongst the top three are Cristian Lopez (289,600) and 2011 LAPT Colombia Main Event champion Julian Menendez (270,300). Menendez was able to grab a sizable amount of chips late in the day when his opponent moved all-in on a board. Menendez held for a king-high flush and had his opponent drawing dead with the .

Other notable players returning for Day 3 play are Eduardo Santi (246,900), Ariel Celestino (166,000), Bolivar “Ramux” Palacios (153,800), Luiz Filipe Andrade (104,200), Pedro Komaromi (85,600) and Nicolas Salvagno (52,400). Also still in the hunt is Day 1 chip leader Juan Garcia.

Tournament play saw almost 200 players hit the rail on Friday. Among those sent home were Ari Engel, Fabrizio Gonzalez, Veronica Dabul, Helio Chreem, Ernesto Panno and Mayu Roca. Also hitting the rail was winner of the 2011 PokerStars.net LAPT Punta del Este, Alex Komaromi. Team PokerStars only suffered one casualty today, as Humberto Brenes was not fortunate enough to survive the day’s play.

With only Brenes hitting the rail, Day 2 proved to be a successful day for Team PokerStars. The chips started rolling in when Team PokerStars Pro Angel Guillen bet out 4,600 on a flop of . His opponent called from the button and the turned. Guillen slowed down with a check and his opponent bet 7,400. Guillen called and checked once again when the came on the river. His opponent pushed out 20,000 and Guillen snap called, tabling for a flopped set. His opponent meekly showed his own and threw his hand toward the muck.

Immediately after, Guillen raised to 2,500 from under the gun and Luiz Filipe Andrade three-bet to 7,500. Guillen called and the two checked down a board of to the river. The dropped on fifth street and Andrade checked for a third time. Guillen pushed out a large bet, totaling 18,000. Andrade quickly called but was disappointed to find Guillen’s for an ace-high flush. Andrade’s queen-high flush with was no good and Guillen was awarded yet another pot.

Shortly thereafter, Team PokerStars Pro Nacho Barbero was able to nearly triple up when his flopped a flush when the fell. His two opponents held and . Barbero was able to fade the higher flush draws and running full house cards to add a significant amount to his stack. Both Barbero and Guillen are alive and thriving, hoping to inch closer to the championship title tomorrow.

The final 77 players will return Saturday at 1200 UYT (0800 PDT) to play down to a final table, or a full ten levels. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all of the bad beats, bluffs and big pots as only our Live Reporting Team can provide.

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