APL Main Event (65,000 PHP)

With registration remaining open just before the start of APL Manila Main Event Day 2, 66 players took advantage of the last-minute entry, bringing the final count to 739 entries! A prize pool of PHP 55,000,000 (~USD 1M) stands on the line, with today's action seeing the money bubble burst just before the sun set. Day 2 began with 315 players returning to the felt, and by the end of the day, only 53 remained.

South Korea's Joohyun Park was the unfortunate last elimination to walk away empty-handed after a blind vs blind clash against Gun Choi cost him his shot at the title. Once the bubble burst, eliminations came fast and furious, capping the action within the next two levels.

Local gunner Ryan Platon ended the day on top, amassing a massive 1,668,000 (139 BB) stack onto Day 3. Platon gained a hefty boost by midday and maintained his momentum through the final five levels. Right at the close of the day, Platon scooped up Hyeongmin Yu’s entire 37 big blind stack, adding it to his own to seize the overall lead. Close behind is Edgar Asehan with 1,507,000 (126 BB), followed by one of South Korea’s most prominent players, Soo Jo Kim with 1,237,000 (103 BB).

Other notables advancing through include John Tech (1,032,000), Lester Edoc (888,000), Czardy Rivera (707,000) and Richard Marquez (408,000), along with Day 1 chip leaders Sangwoo Chun (787,000), Renato Villanueva Jr (731,000), Gun Choi (633,000), and Jongwon Lee (408,000).

With just two minutes left on the clock at Level 21 (6,000/12,000 ante 12,000), play will resume tomorrow at 11:00 a.m., right where it left off. All returning players are now guaranteed PHP 211,000 (~USD 3,635) in winnings and are one step closer to clinching the PHP 9,650,000 (~USD 166,695) top prize.

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)

Entries: 739

Prize pool: PHP 55,000,000 (~USD 1,000,000)

ITM: 111 places

Day 1A: 64 entries, 19 qualified

Day 1B: 135 entries, 44 qualified

Day 1C: 82 entries, 29 qualified

Day 1D: 174 entries, 81 qualified

Day 1E: 218 entries, 92 qualified

Day 2: 315 players, 53 qualified

Day 3: Sunday, March 2

Final Day: Monday, March 3

Facing a late position open and a button call from Ryan Platon, Hyeongmin Yu bumped it up on the big blind to 75,000 and saw only Platon complete.

On flop 8♥ 2♣ A♥ , Yu led 55,000 and followed with an all-in for 314,000 on turn 8♠ . Platon called down with trip eights J♣ 8♣ and shipped the massive boost against Yu's A♦ 5♦ as river 6♣ completed the board.

Yongkyun Kim open shoved 80,000 on the hijack, followed by another all-in from Hyundong Lee for 247,000. Ryan Platon on the big blind, made the final call for a three way showdown.

Platon landed a set on board 7♦ 4♦ T♥ J♦ 8♥ and easily delivered the double bust.

The money bubble is nearing with a dozen more eliminations left on the table before the cash flows in. 111 players are set to get a share of the PHP 55 million prize pool, mincash set at PHP 169,000.

Top Chip Counts

Ryan Platon defended his big blind against Seongjun Ko's 15,000 utg open, and check called two streets - 20,000 and 35,000, on board 4♥ 3♦ 5♦ 2♣ . On river 6♥ , Platon demanded for Ko's remaining 136,000 and remained unchallenged.

Alexandre Renard limp jammed 76,000 utg and was snap called by chip leader Ryan Platon for a flip.

Board A♥ 5♥ 5♦ T♣ J♦ landed Platon's way, adding more chips to his towering pile.

A three way all-in was seen with Ryan Platon making the final call against Elmer Kalaquian (52,000) and Seungmin Yu (340,000) for a grand showdown.

Kalaquian Jx Tx

Yu Ax Kx

Platon Qx Qx

Pocket queens held for the win, shipping Platon the massive pot as well as the reins over the field.