Introducing the Final 8 of the APT Philippines III 2016 Main Event
The APT Philippines III 2016 has reached the final day of its highlight event, the US$1,650 Main Event, held at Resorts World Manila, with the Final 8 players determined at yesterday’s Day 3.
It is an all international lineup of players with two well decorated pros and several neophytes to the APT circuit. Here is a short review on the Final 8 players.
Norway’s Markus Garberg with 2,435,000 chips
Leading the Final 8 is Norwegian pro Markus Garberg. This is Garberg’s first appearance at an APT Main Event final table and is in great shape to win it with a massive stack of 2,435,000 chips. Garberg is having quite a run this year. He placed 2nd at the 2016 WPTN Philippines Main Event back in January to earn his largest live score of US$60,440. He also had a deep run at the APPT 10 Manila Main Event finishing in 12th place. In APT achievements, Garberg has one side event trophy under his belt having won the High Rollers at the APT Asian Poker Series Manila in late September 2015.
Singapore’s Feng Zhao with 1,745,000 chips
Singaporean pro Feng Zhao comes in with the second largest stack of 1,745,000. Zhao already has an APT Main Event title earned back at the APT Philippines 2014. He collected his biggest live career win of US$126,500 at that event. Since then, Zhao has had two more APT final table appearances. Out of all the players in the Final 8 lineup, Zhao boasts of the most achievements with consistent cashes in various poker festivals each year.
Korea’s In Chul Sin with 1,220,000 chips
Korea’s In Chul Sin holds the third largest stack with 1,220,000. Sin is a regular APT circuit player and has also been seen making his rounds in poker tournaments around Manila. This is his first appearance at an APT Main Event final table.
South African Edward Pastoll with 1,050,000 chips
South African Edward Pastoll is a newcomer to the APT circuit having first been seen at the APT poker event back in April. At the ongoing series, Pastoll came close to cashing at the PLO High Rollers event falling in second place. Pastoll eliminated Singapore’s Ceesvin Abdulla in 9th place to secure his seat at the Final 8. He comes in with 1,050,000 chips.
USA’s Tristan Yumul with 1,050,000 chips
Entering the day with the same stack as Pastoll is USA’s Tristan Yumul with 1,050,000 chips. Yumul’s only recorded earnings was back in March, cashing at the PokerStars Live Manila Megastack Main Event. This is Yumul’s first APT Main Event final table appearance.
Malaysia’s Jin Yong with 680,000 chips
Malaysia’s Jin Yong is next down the line with 680,000 chips. Yong cashed at the APT Poker Weekend Series Manila Main Event last month, finishing in 22nd place. Impressively, he has returned to the APT Main Event battlefield and has already upped his previous achievement. This is Yong’s first APT Main Event final table appearance.
Japan’s Shusuke Tsujii with 615,000 chips
Japanese player Shusuke Tsujii enters the Final 8 with 615,000 chips. Not much is known about Tsujii other than his first appearance at the APT is already a milestone with a seat at the Final 8.
Japan’s Rajesh Jiandoni with 475,000 chips
Bringing up the rear is Japan’s Rajesh Jiandoni with 475,000 chips. Jiandoni is a newcomer to the APT circuit. He ended the run of a few notable players at the Main Event including poker pioneer Filipino Wally Sombero and PLO High Roller champion, Chang Hun Lee.
The Main Event attracted a field of 186 players generating a prize pool of US$270,630. There were 27 players who made it into the money with notable players Japan’s Iori Yogo, the leading player in the APT POY 2016 race cashing in first at 27th place; Norway’s Henrik Tollefsen followed right after in 26th place; Malaysia’s Victor Chong took 21st place; and Filipino JC Sayo in 14th place.
The Final 8 are already guaranteed at least US$8,120 with the eventual winner claiming a hefty first place prize of US$67,660. We will have the final results as soon as it concludes.
More: APT Philippines III Full Coverage
Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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