APL Main Event (65,000 PHP)

Another thrilling round of APL Main Event action arrived on scene with over double of yesterday's showing at 135 entries turning up the heat. Only 44 runners survived the initial eleven levels of play and ended with Filipino pro Renato Villanueva Jr high up in the ranks, stacking a strong 401,600 (251 BB) chip count. Villanueva's surge to the top came just as the day closed after a hero call against Mitsuki Sakimoto shipped him the lead.

Local talent dominated today's running with Filipino contenders racking up the top three counts. Both Kim Enriquez (361,400) and Kevin Mateo (271,800) delivered strong performances throughout the day, setting themselves up with a great advantage onto Day 2. Day 1A chip leader Sangwoo Chun continues to reign with his 550,400 (344 BB) stack remaining unbeatable.

All Day 2 qualifiers can take it slow tomorrow and enjoy a day off the felt before returning to battle for the next round of games. Three more heats are set to play down with late registration remaining open until the start of Day 2 on Saturday, March 1st.

APL Manila 2025 Main Event

Dates: February 26 - March 3, 2025

Buy in: PHP 65,000 (~USD 1,120)

Guarantee: PHP 55,000,000 (~USD 1,000,000)

Day 1A: 64 entries, 19 qualified

Day 1B: 135 entries, 44 qualified

Day 1C: Thursday, February 27

Day 1D: Friday, February 28

Day 1E: Friday, February 28

Day 2: Saturday, March 1

Day 3: Sunday, March 2

Final Day: Monday, March 3

In a tense battle for a 31,000 pot across board 5♥ J♦ 8♠ 7♣ , Renato Villanueva sent out a bet of 21,000 and was called behind by Mitsuki Sakimoto.

On river J♣ , Villanueva checked to his opponent, hoping to get to showdown and was instead faced with a 45,000 bet. Villanueva found the call with a countered two pair 8♥ 7♥ and still banked the win as Sakimoto revealed bluff A♣ K♥ .

Day 1B runners are in for two more 60-minute levels before the flight wraps up. Half the field remain holding onto their seats with 62 players currently in battle. Another flight, Day 1C is officially underway for those still up for an evening grind.

Top Chip Counts

With a late position 3,000 open ahead, Steve Yea called on the button and so did Renato Villanueva on the big blind.

Action on flop 9♣ 4♥ 3♦ was checked to Yea, who bet 5,000. Villanueva raised to 11,000 and Yea completed onto turn A♠ . Villanueva led another 17,000 and went on to demand the rest on river Q♣ .

Yea called down for his last 14,800 with top pair A♥ 5♥ , only to bow out as Villanueva revealed two pair 9♦ 3♥ .