Philippines, Prime Poker ClubEVENT #15

2025.02.26 - 2025.03.03Add to Calendar

Ace Poker League

Blind level

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Entries

29/82

Total Chips

3,280,000

Average

113,103

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:40:58 PM

Gun Choi Bags Big at APL Main Event Day 1C

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Gun Choi

APL Manila Main Event action kept the show at Prime Poker Club running from morning to night with the later heat, Day 1C adding 82 more entries onto the tally. Another 29 players survived the first eleven levels and advanced to Day 2 with South Korea's Gun Choi in command. Choi had a smooth sailing day, racking up the lead across the final four hours to finish with 320,800 (200 BB).

Right on his tail is one of Philippines' best - Lester Edoc, who built up a stack of 283,800 (177 BB). Edoc acquired the cushion right at the last hour of play after his 2x pot bet got paid in full by Christopher Pasion. Rounding up the podium is another Filipino contender, Reiner Magbutay with 215,000 (134 BB). 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. Two 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: 82 entries, 29 qualified

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

SMPSMP

2/27/2025, 4:38:04 PM

End of Day1C - 29 Survivors

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Player	Chips
GC Gun ChoiSouth Korea	320,800(201 BB)
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	283,800(177 BB)
HJ Hoseung JungSouth Korea	275,600(172 BB)
RM Reiner MagbutayPhilippines	215,000(134 BB)
KG Kangwon GyuSouth Korea	172,100(108 BB)
SJ Seunghee JeSouth Korea	166,700(104 BB)
JM Joris MichlNetherlands	146,800(92 BB)
YL Yulmin LeeSouth Korea	142,400(89 BB)
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	138,500(87 BB)
MG Michael Gabby ConcepcionPhilippines	137,400(86 BB)
SY Seungmin YuSouth Korea	120,000(75 BB)
LL Leonel LosentesPhilippines	119,100(74 BB)
KJ Kim Jae EunSouth Korea	85,800(54 BB)
JC Jeremy CataligPhilippines	84,100(53 BB)
LC Lee ChanghyunSouth Korea	81,400(51 BB)
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	79,900(50 BB)
SJ Sungbae JangSouth Korea	72,600(45 BB)
KL Kyeongmin Lee	71,200(45 BB)
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	69,800(44 BB)
MG Marc GagneFrance	66,800(42 BB)
IK Inkyu KimSouth Korea	66,600(42 BB)
JW Jang WanhyeokSouth Korea	65,600(41 BB)
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	60,500(38 BB)
AR Ando RyosukeJapan	58,700(37 BB)
YL Yanghee LeeSouth Korea	51,100(32 BB)
LS Lee SunghakSouth Korea	49,100(31 BB)
JP Jerico PadillaPhilippines	38,800(24 BB)
KK Kim Kyong HunSouth Korea	27,900(17 BB)
JW Jimin WonSouth Korea	27,400(17 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:37:04 PM

Daryl Galang Falls Short

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Right on the last hand of the day, Daryl Galang risks his tournament life - 18,200 (11 BB) a second time around and this time gets a call from Joris Michl on the small blind.

Galang completely misses board K♦ 5♦ 9♥ Q♦ 7♣ and is eliminated just as the day comes to a close.

Player	Hand	Chips
JM Joris Michl	Q♠T♠ SB	146,800(92 BB)
DG Daryl GalangPhilippines	J♠3♠ CO	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:29:44 PM

Michael Concepcion Calls Down Changyun Lee

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Jeremy Catalig opens 3,200 on the hijack and Michael Concepcion calls right behind. Changyun Lee on the button, pads it further to 12,000 and sees only Concepcion complete.

The flop runs T♠ 4♣ 3♦ , where Concepcion check calls an 8,000 bet from Lee. Both check turn 8♣ , pushing Concepcion to lead 9,000 on river T♣ . Lee raises to 25,000 and gets his bluff A♠ 2♣ exposed after Concepcion calls him down with two pair 7♥ 7♣ .

Player	Chips
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	142,200(89 BB)
LC Lee ChanghyunSouth Korea	94,500(59 BB)
JC Jeremy CataligPhilippines	83,100(52 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:25:21 PM

Last Five Hands

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Day 1C is nearing its close with the clock set on pause and only five more deals left in play before bagging time.

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:22:58 PM

Won Kang Checks It Down

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Won Kang

Won Kang opens 3,500 on the hijack and sees Gun Choi on the small blind put in the call.

Both check down board 9♦ 8♦ 2♥ 7♥ 5♥ , revealing Choi's pair of sevens K♦ 7♦ , good for the pot.

Player	Chips
GC Gun ChoiSouth Korea	326,500(204 BB)
WK Won KangSouth Korea	190,300(119 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:16:16 PM

Quick Recovery for Jeremy Catalig

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Jeremy Catalig

Jeremy Catalig opens to 4,800 from mid position and gets two callers. He then shoves his short stack in, picking up the pot uncontested.

On the next hand, Catalig raises 3x again and gets a call from Leonel Losentes on the button. Just like before, Catalig goes all-in on the flop of A♣ J♣ 2♦, and Losentes folds, giving Catalig the win once more.

Player	Chips
LL Leonel LosentesPhilippines	126,300(79 BB)
JC Jeremy CataligPhilippines	43,200(27 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:12:20 PM

Leonel Losentes Strikes from the Big Blind

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Leonel Losentes

Leonel Losentes defends his big blind against Jeremy Catalig's 4,800 hijack open, and check calls another 9,000 on flop 2♣ 5♠ 3♥ .

Turn 6♥ gets checked through to river 5♥ , where Losentes goes ahead and leads 15,000. Catalig snap folds, shipping Losentes the boost.

Player	Chips
LL Leonel LosentesPhilippines	132,100(83 BB)
JC Jeremy CataligPhilippines	22,600(14 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 4:07:26 PM

Chip Overload on Table 13

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Table 13 is weighing down all the chips with the top three runners of Day 1C seated at the same table.

Player	Chips	Table	Seat
KG Kangwon GyuSouth Korea	285,800(179 BB)	13	1
JW Jang WanhyeokSouth Korea	36,300(23 BB)	13	2
JW Jimin WonSouth Korea	25,000(16 BB)	13	3
GC Gun ChoiSouth Korea	307,800(192 BB)	13	4
HJ Hoseung JungSouth Korea	285,800(179 BB)	13	5
MG Marc GagneFrance	61,400(38 BB)	13	8

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:59:24 PM

Jeffrey Ponce Shoves for the Win

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Jeffrey Ponce

Jeffrey Ponce limp calls Byeongmin Lee's 5,700 raise and checks flop 2♠ 6♠ 9♥ to his opponent. Lee bets 3,500 and puts out 5,000 more following a raise from Ponce.

The turn 4♣ doesn't stop Ponce from shoving all-in for 37,500 and Lee surrenders.

Player	Chips
BL Byeongmin LeeSouth Korea	109,700(69 BB)
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	69,900(44 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:56:55 PM

Michael Concepcion Wins Blind Battle

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Michael Concepcion limps in the small blind and Changhyun Lee checks his option. Flop Q♦ Q♥ 9♠ turns up on the felt and sees Lee fire a bet of 1,600. Concepcion pulls a check raise to 5,500 and ships the pot straight away.

Player	Chips
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	92,300(58 BB)
LC Lee ChanghyunSouth Korea	84,400(53 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:51:48 PM

Last Level of Play

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

Fifty more minutes is set on the clock before Day 1C rings its curtains close. All survivors following this level will move on to Day 2 on Saturday, March 1st.

Level 11: 800 / 1,600 ante: 1,600

50 minutes

Remaining Players: 34/82

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:47:54 PM

Top Pair Costs Christopher Pasion

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Catching the river action on board A♥ 6♣ 5♥ K♠ 9♠ alongside a pot of 32,600, Lester Edoc applies maximum pressure on Christopher Pasion with an all-in on the button. Pasion on the big blind gives it a thought and decides to call off his entire 64,900 with top pair A♠ 7♦ , only to bow out as Edoc tabled two pair A♦ 9♣ .

Player	Chips
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	257,200(184 BB)
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:45:11 PM

Jimin Won Pays the Price

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Won Kang attempts to get value from Jimin Won on board 6♦ 6♥ T♣ 9♥ 6♠ with an overbet of 25,000 into a pot of 18,100. Won pays the price and mucks as Kang reveals quads A♣ 6♣ .

Player	Chips
WK Won KangSouth Korea	283,300(202 BB)
JW Jimin WonSouth Korea	52,600(38 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:41:03 PM

Hoseung Jung Demands for the Rest

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Hoseung Jung

A blind vs blind battle between Hoseung Jung and Jimin Choo sees a pot of 15,400 in the middle spread out across board 3♥ 7♣ 6♥ 3♠ . Jung leads 9,000, Choo raises to 24,000, and Jung comes back with an all-in for Choo's 19 BB behind. Choo gives it up and tosses his hand back to the dealer.

Player	Chips
HJ Hoseung JungSouth Korea	282,200(202 BB)
JC Jimin ChooSouth Korea	20,100(14 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:35:39 PM

Reiner Magbutay Takes It Down

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Reiner Magbutay

Maxwell Rosete opens 3,000 on the cutoff and gets Reiner Magbutay on the button and the big blind to join in the action.

Following a check, Rosete bets 5,500 and Magbutay answers with a raise to 13,500. Only Rosete calls, and goes on to check turn 8♦ to Magbutay, who bets another 20,000. Rosete deliberates and eventually finds the fold.

Player	Chips
RM Reiner MagbutayPhilippines	96,500(69 BB)
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	55,300(40 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:32:41 PM

Gun Choi Wins by Default

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Gun Choi

Jeffrey Ponce goes for a nearly pot size bet of 22,000 on a completed board of 3♥ A♣ 6♣ T♥ 8♣ and instantly mucks after Gun Choi check calls.

Choi takes the pot with no showdown and continues to hold the reins over the field.

Player	Chips
GC Gun ChoiSouth Korea	300,000(214 BB)
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	46,300(33 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:26:49 PM

Marc Gagne Back in Swing

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Marc Gagne

Down to only 6,000 the level prior, Marc Gagne puts his tournament life on the line once more this time for 33,000 (24 BB). Utg raiser Jaebong Jeong slips the call and puts his opponent at risk.

Gagne manages to dodge another elimination on board A♣ 3♦ 4♠ T♠ 9♠ with his top pair beating Jeong's eights for another shot at Day 2.

Player	Hand	Chips
MG Marc GagneFrance	A♦9♦ SB	68,800(49 BB)
JJ Jaebong JeongSouth Korea	8♦8♠ UTG	1,000(1 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:20:05 PM

Lester Edoc Finishes Benjamin Ebarle

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Lester Edoc

Lester Edoc opens 3,000 on the button and flicks in 6,800 more following an all-in from Benjamin Ebarle on the small blind.

Edoc quickly lands the advantage on board A♥ 7♦ 2♣ Q♥ 6♥ and sends Ebarle out.

Player	Hand	Chips
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	A♣3♥ D	198,600(142 BB)
BE Benjamin EbarlePhilippines	K♥J♦ SB	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:16:57 PM

Michael Concepcion Puts Tournament Life on the Line

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Looking to catch the 14,000 pot in the middle, Michael Concepcion bets 8,500 on board 6♦ 9♠ 3♥ T♣ following a check from Jimin Choo on the big blind. Choo raises to 19,500 and tank folds shortly after Concepcion moved all-in for 40,000 total.

Player	Chips
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	73,500(53 BB)
JC Jimin ChooSouth Korea	55,000(39 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:10:57 PM

Player Chip Counts on Table 17

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Player	Chips
GC Gun ChoiSouth Korea	289,500(207 BB)
JC Jimin ChooSouth Korea	83,100(59 BB)
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	60,200(43 BB)
YL Yulmin LeeSouth Korea	60,200(43 BB)
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	43,200(31 BB)
KK Kim Kyong HunSouth Korea	43,100(31 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:08:58 PM

Won Kang Pairs the Turn

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

Won Kang

Vivencio Nachor defends his hijack open and calls a 10,500 three bet from Won Kang on the big blind.

The flop comes K♠ 6♠ T♦ and Kang continues for 6,500. Nachor calls and gets to showdown after no more bets pile in on either turn Q♦ or river 6♦ .

Kang shows two pair A♣ Q♥ and takes the pot.

Player	Chips
WK Won KangSouth Korea	222,000(159 BB)
VN Vivencio Nachor Jr.Philippines	72,700(52 BB)

Level 10: 700 / 1,400 ante: 1,400

50 minutes

Remaining Players: 40/81

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:05:13 PM

Sungbae Jang Takes from Lester Edoc

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Sungbae Jang

Christopher Pasion opens 2,400 in early position and takes both Sungbae Jang on the button and Lester Edoc on the big blind to a flop of 9♠ 8♣ 4♥ . Two checks sees Jang bet 3,300. Edoc goes for a raise to 8,000, Pasion folds, and Jang completes.

Both check turn Q♦ through to river 8♥ , where Edoc leads a final 1,200. Jang flicks in the one big blind and takes the win with K♦ 9♦ against Edoc's J♥ 9♥ .

Player	Chips
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	176,900(147 BB)
SJ Sungbae JangSouth Korea	110,600(92 BB)
CP Christopher PasionPhilippines	20,600(17 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 3:02:01 PM

Yulmin Lee Doubles Through Jeffrey Ponce

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Facing an early open and a button call, Yulmin Lee squeezes all-in on the small blind for 27,700 (23 BB) and is put at risk following a shove from initial raiser Jeffrey Ponce.

Lee's pocket pair holds through board T♥ 9♠ 5♣ 7♦ 6♥ , shipping him a clean double up.

Player	Hand	Chips
YL Yulmin LeeSouth Korea	Q♦Q♣ SB	60,800(51 BB)
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	K♠J♠ UTG+1	68,400(57 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:57:53 PM

Seungmin Yu Smashes Board

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Seungmin Yu

Reiner Magbutay raises to 2,500 in early position and sees Seungmin Yu on the button, with Joris Michl on the big blind join the action.

Action on flop 5♠ 8♣ 2♣ is checked to Yu, who bets 4,500. Michl and Magbutay make the call and gets a round of checks on turn 8♠ . Michl leads 10,000 on river 8♠ , Magbutay folds and Yu raises to 25,000. Michl pays the price and mucks as Yu reveals boat 8♦ 5♦ .

Player	Chips
SY Seungmin YuSouth Korea	220,000(183 BB)
JM Joris Michl	120,300(100 BB)
RM Reiner MagbutayPhilippines	73,900(62 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:54:59 PM

Won Gyu Kang on a Roll

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Manwoo Park on the hijack, risks his last 21,200 (17 BB) and is challenged by Won Gyu Kang right on the big blind.

Up for a race, Kang takes the win with two pair on board A♣ 5♠ 4♣ 7♣ 4♥ , eliminating Park from the Day 1C running.

Player	Hand	Chips
WK Won KangSouth Korea	A♠J♣ BB	201,500(168 BB)
MP Manwoo ParkSouth Korea	K♦Q♥ HJ	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:49:09 PM

Won Gyu Kang Wins Massive Flip

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Marc Gagne opens 2,500 on the cutoff and gets a call from Won Gyu Kang on the next seat. Manwoo Park on the big blind, squeezes to 7,500 yet folds after both Gagne and Kang shove their stacks in the middle.

Kang at risk for his 81,000 stack, runs a straight on board J♥ T♦ 9♥ 6♠ 8♦ and earns a huge double up off Gagne.

Player	Hand	Chips
WK Won KangSouth Korea	Q♥Q♣ D	171,300(143 BB)
MG Marc GagneFrance	A♠K♦ CO	6,000(5 BB)
MP Manwoo ParkSouth Korea		21,800(18 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:47:45 PM

Player Chip Counts on Table 9

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Player	Chips
RT Ryan TanPhilippines	190,500(159 BB)
FL Frank LillisIreland	61,600(51 BB)
YL Yanghee LeeSouth Korea	55,000(46 BB)
JG Jonald GarciaPhilippines	43,200(36 BB)
DG Daryl GalangPhilippines	34,100(28 BB)
IK Inkyu KimSouth Korea	28,800(24 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:46:14 PM

Terry Gonzaga Pads the Pot

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Terry Gonzaga

Jungmo Lee opens 2,500 in early position and is met with a three bet to 6,200 from Wanhyeok Jang on the button. Terry Gonzaga on the big blind, goes over the top with a raise to 20,000, and picks up the pot uncontested.

Player	Chips
TG Terry GonzagaPhilippines	78,800(66 BB)
JL Jungmo LeeSouth Korea	58,000(48 BB)
JW Jang WanhyeokSouth Korea	51,100(43 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:40:50 PM

Jason Magbanua Gives Up the Fight

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

Jason Magbanua

Picking up action on flop 4♣ 2♣ Q♣ with a 20,800 pot situated in the middle, Leonel Losentes check calls a 12,000 bet from Jason Magbanua on the button, and goes on to lead 15,000 on turn K♦ . Magbanua takes a minute and eventually lays it down, shipping his opponent the win.

Player	Chips
LL Leonel LosentesPhilippines	94,600(79 BB)
JM Jason MagbanuaPhilippines	27,000(23 BB)

Level 9: 600 / 1,200 ante: 1,200

50 minutes

Remaining Players: 49/80

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 2:09:19 PM

Defending APL Main Event Champion Vivencio Nachor Takes Us Back to 2023

Break

Vivencio Nachor Jr.

Back on the felt and ready to defend his title, past season champion Vivencio Nachor is currently in action at today's Main Event Day 1C, attempting to secure a spot into Day 2. Nachor triumphed in APL's previous Manila Main Event showing back in December 2023 and earned a career best cash of PHP 3.2 million (~USD 58K), which remains to be his biggest score to date.

During the break, SMP caught up with the local grinder to see what he's been up to over the past year and a half:

SMP: How are you feeling now?

Nachor: "I'm good. I'm happy and excited to play again."

SMP: What did you do with your winnings?

Nachor: "Actually, I invested in a condominium at Deca Homes. It’s not fully paid yet; I’m paying monthly installments, but almost all my winnings go toward it."

SMP: Are you going to defend your title? How did you train?

Nachor: "Yes, I always play live in Metro, joining daily and weekly tournaments, as well as some big events here in the Philippines."

SMP: What do you think you need to do in order to win the Main Event again?

Nachor: "It’s hard, but I always give my 100%. I need to do my best because there are so many professional poker players here, and many of the Koreans are doing well too."

"I’m just a player. I adjust my play style depending on the opponent. So, I always start early to read my opponents."

SMP: You were running hot last year, what’s your plan for this year?

Nachor: "Well, I plan to do the same because I still don’t have a bankroll. I rely on my stakers and sometimes sell action. I’ll keep playing, and as long as I still have a chance, I will participate in all the big events as much as possible. Actually, I’ve already stopped working. I’m a mechanical engineer by profession, but I stopped working and started playing poker full-time in December 2022 after I won my first major event at the Masters. It was a hard decision, but I love playing poker. At first, it was just a hobby, but eventually, I realized I could do more with poker."

Break

Remaining Players: 49/79

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 1:50:15 PM

Jeffrey Ponce Gets a Payday

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Jeffrey Ponce

Junie Pamplona kicks off the action with a 2,500 open utg and gets a call from Jeffrey Ponce along with Yulmin Lee on the big blind.

Pamplona shoots out a bet of 2,900 on flop A♠ 9♥ T♠ and sees both opponents continue to turn K♦ . Pamplona unfazed, bets all-in for 30,100 and is followed by another shove from Ponce. Lee gets out of the way, leaving the two to showdown.

Pamplona A♣ Q♠

Ponce 9♦ 9♠

Pamplona in trouble against Ponce's set, bound for the exit just as river 2♠ completed the board.

Player	Chips
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	123,500(124 BB)
YL Yulmin LeeSouth Korea	34,800(35 BB)
JP Junie PamplonaPhilippines	busted

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 1:46:40 PM

Terry Gonzaga Takes Edgar Asehan to Showdown

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Terry Gonzaga

Edgar Asehan defends his big blind vs Terry Gonzaga's 2,000 cutoff open and check calls another 2,000 on flop 9♦ 9♠ A♣ . Gonzaga takes it to showdown, checking back both turn J♦ and river T♠ .

Gonzaga shows two pair A♦ 6♠ and picks up the pot.

Player	Chips
TG Terry GonzagaPhilippines	76,700(77 BB)
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	66,500(67 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 1:43:23 PM

Yeonji Lee Risks It All

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Yeonji Lee

Maxwell Rosete opens 2,000 utg and gets a call from both players on the blinds.

All three check flop T♦ 2♥ 8♣ through to turn 9♠ , where Rosete continues for a bet of 3,000. Yeonji Lee check raises all-in for 12,700 more and picks up the pot unchallenged.

Player	Chips
YL Yeonji LeeSouth Korea	25,700(26 BB)
MR Maxwell RosetePhilippines	24,500(25 BB)

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/27/2025, 1:31:01 PM

Top Chip Counts

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

Gun Choi

Player	Chips
GC Gun ChoiSouth Korea	166,200(166 BB)
SY Seungmin YuSouth Korea	139,600(140 BB)
LE Lester EdocPhilippines	132,200(132 BB)
SO Shigeaki OkadaJapan	128,200(128 BB)
JC Jeremy CataligPhilippines	108,500(109 BB)
EA Edgar AsehanPhilippines	92,700(93 BB)
JP Jeffrey PoncePhilippines	91,200(91 BB)
VN Vivencio Nachor Jr.Philippines	87,600(88 BB)
JL Jungmo LeeSouth Korea	82,100(82 BB)
RM Reiner MagbutayPhilippines	80,200(80 BB)
JC Jonggu ChoiSouth Korea	79,300(79 BB)
MK Minku KimSouth Korea	79,200(79 BB)
IK Inkyu KimSouth Korea	77,200(77 BB)
MC Michael Concepcion (2)Philippines	75,200(75 BB)
JM Joris Michl	68,100(68 BB)

Level 8: 500 / 1,000 ante: 1,000

40 minutes

Remaining Players: 49/72

Janette BeeJanette Bee

2/26/2025, 2:49:52 PM

Evening APL Main Event Action Abuzz

While Day 1B unfolds, late-night enthusiasts can shift their focus to another exciting APL Main Event heat taking place this evening. Day 1C will follow a slightly faster pace, with the first four levels set at 20-minute blinds, followed by two 30-minute levels, two 40-minute levels, and concluding with a final stretch of three 50-minute levels.

This is your chance to be part of history as the brand’s biggest offering in Manila unfolds, putting up a PHP 55,000,000 (~USD 1,000,000) guaranteed prize pool on the line. South Korea’s Sangwoo Chun raised the bar in the opening heat, finishing with a staggering 550,400 chip count - nearly 14 times the starting stack!

Action kicks off at 18:00 local time with late registration closing before the start of Day 2 on Saturday, March 1st. Stay tuned for updates as SMP brings you all the latest directly off the floor!

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: Thursday, February 27

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