APPT Main Event (80,000 PHP)

Deja vu! Justin Ong has done it! Just five days after he claimed victory at the PokerStars Red Dragon event, Ong returned and conquered the 2025 APPT Manila Main Event. Overwhelmed and tired, Ong expressed,

"It was a long festival and now I will go home and spend my winnings with my family, I've been gone too long."

Ong outlasted a field of 1,246 entries to claim the ₱14,800,000 (~US$ 254,400) top prize, his first shard trophy, and the APPT Manila Championship package worth ₱210,000. In total, Ong walked away with a life-changing ₱19 Million in winnings and two APPTC packages.

Congratulations to the champ!

Undoubtedly, Ong was the player to beat. Riding high from his first win into the Main Event, he entered the final day as chip leader and held it until eventual runner up Oliver Lirio landed two shocking knockouts to snatch it heading into the official final table of six players.

However, Ong wasted no time reclaiming control, eliminating Sungmin Oh (6th) and Ryan Tan (5th). From there, it became a test of patience with hefty pay jumps at stake.

"The pay jumps really mattered, especially at four-handed, they were all just waiting for me to initiate the action. And when I got caught bluffing, I slowed down. When it was down to three players, I could not bluff. I played passive hoping they would take each other out but Lirio got lucky and came back three times.

After Kim Enriquez fell in 4th place to Chase Cokaliong, the lead switched numerous times with every remaining player having their moment up top. Heads up was reached when Lirio eliminated Cokaliong with the nut flush over flush.

Lirio carried in the biggest stack but not for long. Ong's aggression returned in full force getting bluff after bluff through until he was ahead in the count. The final hand came shortly after with Ong's 8♦ 8♣ winning the flip against Lirio's J♦ 9♦ .

"When it was heads up, I was behind so I had no pressure. Even if I knew the pay jump was big, I had no pressure because he was chip leader. I bluffed him many times."

Ahead in the count, Justin Ong looks down at 8♦ 8♣ and limped in, big blind Oliver Lirio had J♦ 9♦ raised 1,500,000, Ong shoved with a covering stack, and Lirio - with no time banks left - called for his tournament life.

Ong was ahead and needed to dodge Lirio's overcards to eliminate. The board ran Q♥ 6♣ 5♦ T♣ giving Lirio more outs however none found the river , instead a 7♣ landed to end Lirio's impressive run in 2nd place.

Justin Ong is back in the driver's seat after getting a bluff through. After Oliver Lirio limped with 7♣ 4♣ , he checked his big blind with 7♦ 5♦ . At the flop J♦ 6♣ 3♣ , he bet 800,000 and Lirio called. Same action on the turn J♥ with Lirio calling a larger 3,000,000 bet. Ong pulled the trigger on the river 8♥ announcing all in, Lirio folded.

Justin Ong defended his big blind by calling Oliver Lirio's 1,000,000 raise preflop while holding 9♦ 4♣. He then check-called Lirio's flop and turn bets of 1,200,000 and 3,0000 on a board 3♣ 9♥ J♠ 5♠ then they checked the river K♠ . Ong's pair was good.

It is now heads up between Justin Ong and Oliver Lirio!

Chase Cokaliong's bid for his first major title fell short a couple of spots in 3rd place. The hand opened with a limp from Oliver Lirio holding A♦ Q♦ , Cokaliong limped as well from small blind with K♦ 7♦ , and Justin Ong checked with 3♠ 2♣ on the big blind. At the flop J♣ 5♦ 9♠ , action was checked to Lirio who bet 500,000, only Cokaliong called to see the turn 4♦ .

Cokaliong switched up and led for 1,600,000, Lirio called to bring the river 9♦ . Cokaliong fired again, this time 6,000,0000. Lirio jammed sending Cokaliong to the tanker. He asked Lirio "did you hit the nine? Full house? I have the flush." Not getting a read on Lirio, Cokaliong called and saw the bad news.

Watch out for Oliver Lirio as he stages another comeback. Dealt K♠ K♣ he three-bets 2,500,000 and initial raiser Chase Cokaliong with T♠ 8♠ forfeits his 1,000,000 raise.

Next hand, Justin Ong raises 800,000 with A♣ 8♣ and Lirio defends the big blind with 9♥ 2♣ . On the flop K♥ 8♥ 5♥ , Lirio calls another 800,000 then takes the reins for 1,500,000 on the turn 9♠ after Ong checked. Ong calls then both check the river 5♦ . Lirio's pair of nines is good.

Chase Cokaliong got dealt K♦ J♥ and jammed, big blind Oliver Lirio with 9♥ 9♣ tank-called. Both rails roared and when the flop came J♠ J♦ 6♦ , Cokaliong's fans erupted. And with the turn 2♥ and river A♣ , Cokaliong was pumped at having survived.

Justin Ong has taken early control of this new level, claiming three consecutive pots. The latest was with J♠ 9♥ on hand and checked his big blind after Chase Cokaliong limped with K♣ J♣ .

At the flop Q♣ Q♠ 6♥ , Cokaliong led for 400,000 and Ong quickly called. Cokaliong back-pedaled on the turn 4♣ prompting Ong to fire 700,000. Cokaliong called. The river was 8♠ . Ong fired again a larger 1,200,000 this time and won the pot uncontested.

Button player Oliver Lirio raised 600,000 for his T♠ 9♥ and big blind Justin Ong called with K♦ J♣ . At the flop 8♥ Q♠ 5♦ , Lirio continued for 450,000 and Ong check-called to slow them both down on the turn 8♣ . When the J♥ came on the river, Ong led for 1,000,000, Lirio with a straight raised 2,500,000 and won it with Ong folding his pair.

Justin Ong was dealt A♦ 7♦ and min-raised from the button, small blind Oliver Lirio had K♠ T♣ and called, then big blind Chase Cokaliong three-bet 2,200,000 with 9♥ 9♦ . Action back on Ong, he called as Lirio got out of the way.

When the flop ran K♣ 3♠ Q♦ , Cokaliong barreled 1,000,000 and still didn't push away Ong to head to the turn J♥ . Cokaliong backed down and checked, Ong slid out a huge 5,000,000, Cokaliong folded.

Oliver Lirio clearly owns this level winning another two pots claimed to take the lead. The first hand was with A♠ A♣ which he raised 600,000. Chase Cokaliong re-raised to 1,500,000. Lirio tanked then four-bet 4,500,000, Cokaliong snap-folded.

Next winning hand he faced Justin Ong who had K♣ 4♥ and made it 600,000 to go. Big blind Lirion defended with T♦ 9♣ . Maintaining the aggression, Ong bet another 600,000 on a flop 8♠ J♥ T♥ , Lirio called taking them to the turn 5♠ . Ong decided to take his foot off the gas, Lirio tested for 800,000 and it was enough to take it down.

Chase Cokaliong with J♥ T♣ opened 600,000, Justin Ong called with 8♣ 6♣, Oliver Lirio had premium A♥ K♠ and jammed. No callers.

Oliver Lirio looked down at K♦ J♦ and raised 600,000, big blind Justin Ong with K♥ 6♥ three-bet 1,500,000, then Lirio snapped-all in. Ong folded.

Justin Ong with Q♣ 6♣ opened on the button for 700,000, big blind Chase Cokaliong had 7♦ 8♠ and defended with a three-bet of 2,000,000. Ong called then connected on a flop Q♦ 9♥ 5♥ . Cokaliong fired 1,000,000 and after Ong smooth-called, Cokaliong checked the turn J♦ . Ong took the opportunity with a 2,000,000 bet and won the pot then and there.

Oliver Lirio's recent double gave more than just chips, the spring in his step has returned and has now been grinding down the big stacks. He claimed a few pots without showdowns, one reached the turn T♣ 5♣ 2♦ 4♣ where preflop aggressor Justin Ong bet 500,000. Lirio jammed. Based on the stream, Ong had 9♦ 3♦ , Lirio with 8♣ 6♦ .

Justin Ong opened 600,000 with Q♦ Q♣ and snap-called Oliver Lirio's shove. Ong was far ahead of Lirio's K♣ 3♣ until the flop K♦ J♠ 2♦ where Lirio caught a king. The turn 2♣ and river J♣ were safe for Lirio to collect the pot.

When Cokaliong spiked the set, his rail erupted and after the runner runner, he shipped the massive pile and took the lead for the first time.

Justin Ong has been quiet for sometime but not anymore taking down to consecutive pots. On the second pick up, Kim Enriquez had A♦ J♥ and raised 400,000 at small blind, Ong defended with K♦ 9♦ . At the flop fop 5♠ 7♣ 6♥ , Enriquez checked then folded to Ong's 500,000 bet.

More chips for Kim Enriquez taking down several small pots in this new level. On the latest, he raised A♥ 6♦ and Oliver Lirio defended on the big blind with Q♣ J♦ . They checked it to the turn K♦ A♣ 5♣ 8♠ where Lirio took a chance for 400,000. Enriquez called, the river was 3♥ . Lirio backed down and checked, Enriquez fired 900,000, Lirio let go of his hand.

Kim Enriquez is staging a comeback picking up another two pots after his double up. From under the gun, he raised 400,000 and button Justin Ong three-bet 1,000,000. Enriquez called then both checked the flop 7♠ 3♥ 4♥ . On the turn 3♠ , Enriquez led for 500,000 and it was good to win the pot uncontested.

Next hand, Enriquez defended on the big blind then check-called Oliver Lirio's c-bet of 350,000 on the flop 2♥ 6♥ K♣ . Both players passed up the turn then Enriquez bet 600,000 on the river 6♠ . Lirio folded.

Not only does Justin Ong have a monster stack before him, he is also getting some good hands to work with. From the small blind, the three-bet to 850,000 with A♥ K♦ and initial raiser Kim Enriquez called with T♦ 7♦ .

The flop came Q♦ J♥ T♠ for broadway to Ong. He bet 450,000 and took down another pot with Enriquez folding.

Justin Ong got dealt A♠ A♦ and limped from under the gun. The blinds called headed to the flop 8♣ 5♥ 3♠ . Ong c-bet 160,000 and only Chase Cokaliong called with 7♦ 4♦ . The turn 5♣ paired the board and another 350,000 was sent in by Ong. Cokaliong attempted to steal with a check-raise of 1,000,000, Ong called. When the river felted A♣ , Ong shoved inducing a quick fold from Cokaliong.

Ong kindly showed his hand which drew shocks from the players.

Justin Ong raised 320,000 from the button with K♥ 4♠ and small blind Oliver Lirio called with T♣ 9♥ . Lirio drew a promising flop 8♠ 6♥ J♥ and check-called another 320,000 from Ong. The turn A♣ , Lirio tanked to Ong's 875,000 bet then called to see if that magic card would find the river. It did. The Q♣ found the felt and Lirio led out 1,000,000. Ong folded.

Justin Ong is in full control of the final four action and has picked up three consecutive pots to distance further from the pack. His last win he defended the big blind with 7♦ 2♠ then check-called Chae Cokaliong's 240,000 flop bet on a board 2♣ 7♥ Q♥. Cokaliong fired more on the turn A♣ adding 450,000 to the pot. Ong tanked then raised 1,200,000. Cokaliong folded.

Justin Ong continues to railroad the table with uncalled raises pre and bets at the flop. However, this didn't get through with Kim Enriquez joining him to the river.

Action opened with a min-raise from Enriquez on the button that Ong called from the small blind. At the flop, Enriquez continued for 200,000 and still Ong check-called. After the turn 6♦ was checked, Ong fired 575,000 on the river 2♣ . Enriquez called.

Ong had A♦ 9♦ , Enriquez won it with Q♥ 6♥ second pair.

Justin Ong sends the axe down again, this time Ryan Tan bites the bullet in 5th place. Tan open shoved with A♦ 6♥ and Ong called with Q♥ T♥ .

Both improved on the board A♠ 8♠ T♦ with Tan still ahead. No change on the turn J♣ but with the river Q♠ , Ong shipped it as Tan packed up disappointed.

No river catch this time for Oliver Lirio who called Ryan Tan's three-bet shove of 810,000. Tan had J♣ J♥ , Lirio looking to bad beat with Q♠ 9♦ . The flop gave Lirio a pair but still behind 3♠ 2♥ 9♣ . Tan continues to sweat it on the turn 2♠ as Lirio has been very lucky on the river. This time, it comes 8♦ for a safe landing for Tan to double through.

Cards now flying at the final 6 of the APPT Manila Main Event! Good luck to all!

The official final table of the APPT Manila Main Event is set! The event will be livestreamed on a 30 minute delay. Here are the finalists.

Bead beat takedowns are a trend at the final table with Edgar Asehan outdrawn by Chase Cokaliong to fall in 7th place. The hand opened with a cutoff raise from Cokalion of 300,000, small blind Edgar Asehan shoved 1,835,000, Cokaliong could easily afford it and gave it a quick thought before calling.

Asehan: A♠ J♥

Cokaliong: A♦ 4♦

Asehan was looking good with a superior kicker until the flop ran 4♥ 3♦ 6♣ erupting Cokaliong's rail as he overtook with a pair. With the turn 7♥ and river 7♦ completing the board, Cokaliong's rail erupted once more.

We are down to six players.

Justin Ong has been pressuring the table with nonstop preflop raises and was finally challenged by Chase Cokaliong on the button.

At the flop 9♥ 7♥ A♠ , Ong continues 125,000 and gets called again leading him to check the turn 6♦ . Cokaliong takes the chance to steal for 375,000. Ong calls. The board completes 8♠ . Ong checks again. Cokaliong bets 900,000. Ong lets go of his stake in the pot.

Aggressive prerflop action by Justin Ong results in four small pots going his way.

Another incredible takedown by Oliver Lirio, just three hands after railing Somashekhar Nahadeva in stunning fashion. This was no different. It opened with a jam from Katsuhito Kawai at cutoff that Lirio called on the small blind.

Kawai: A♠ T♥

Lirio: 5♥ 5♣

Kawai was flipping for his tournament life and connected on the flop A♥ 8♣ T♣ . His hopes continued on the turn 9♥ . Then boom! The river 5♠ crushed his top pair as Lirio found one of his two outs to boot end Kawai in 8th place.

Lirio has now taken over the chip lead.

Dramatic first hand at the final table opens with a raise from Justin Ong that's met with a three-bet of 600,000 from Oliver Lirio. Action folds around to the small blind Somashekhar Nahadeva who four-bets all in for 3,310,000. Ong folds, Lirio doesn't flinch and calls.

Nahadeva: J♣ J♥

Lirio: A♥ K♠

Lirio overtakes on a fruitful flop A♠ A♣ 7♠ however is burned on the turn J♦ as Nahadeva celebrates. Not done yet. The river comes jackpot A♦ and Lirio jumps back ahead with quads to end Nahadeva's run in 9th place.

Shuffle up and deal! Nine players remaining and one title up for grabs, cards now flying. Good luck to all!

Button is on Sungmin Oh (seat 6).

After just three hours of play, the final 9 players is set! Here are the contenders vying for their first ever APPT Main Event title.

Kim Enriquez opened 200,000 and big blind Justin Ong defended to bring a flop 5♣ 8♦ T♥ . Enriquez c-bet 200,000, Ong check-raised 600,000, Enriquez smooth-called. On the turn 2♥ , Ong jumped out with a bet of 1,200,000, this didn't scare Enriquez who jammed for 3,020,000 total. Ong folded and showed 6♣ 4♣ .

Ong is ahead with the better kicker and soon kicks out Guevara after the turn 8♦ and river K♣ changes nothing to end Guevara in 12th place.

Chase Cokaliong celebrated his huge score against Benhur Ybarsabal that kicked off with him raising 200,000 from utg+1. Big blind Ybarsabal defended with a three-bets of 650,000 and it was a game with Cokaliong paying to see the flop.

When the dealer spread 7♠ 9♣ T♦ , Ybarsabal continued for 200,000, Cokaliong popped it to 700,000, Ybarsabal flatted. Fireworks on the turn 9♥ with Cokaliong moving all in and without skipping a beat, Ybarsabal check-called.

Cokaliong showed 9♠ 8♠ trips, Ybarsabal with A♣ T♣ . The river 3♦ ensured Cokaliong the scoop.

Every showdown that Katsuhito Kawai's has won today has been through Vamerdino Magsakay to double up twice. On their third meeting, Magsakay was behind to crash out in 13th place.

Action folded to the small blind Magsakay who limped in and Kawai checked his big blind. At the flop Q♠ 8♦ J♠ , Magsakay check-called 100,000. On the turn 8♣, check again from Magsakay, Kawai shoved, Magsakay snap-called.

Magsakay flipped open T♠ 9♠ nuts straight at the flop, Kawai had 8♠ 2♠ trips. The river Q♦ improved Kawai to a full house to clean out Magsakay in brutal fashion.

Since late in Day 2, Youngtaek Lim couldn't catch a break against Justin Ong to lose the lead he had for most of the day. Today, after Ong stole a pot on a bluff, they met again and still Ong prevailed to knock him out in 14th place.

The hand opened with a raise from Lim at cutoff that Ong three-bet 400,000 from the big blind, Lim flatted. When the board ran 8♥ 9♦ 6♦ 9♥ , Ong barreled 205,000 and 700,000, both called by Lim.

The river 9♠ didn't stop Ong who jammed with a covering stack, Lim risked it and showed A♣ 8♣ full house. This time Ong wasn't bluffing with K♥ K♠ higher boat.

Happiness to Benhur Ybarsabal's ears when Somashekhar Nahadeva three-bet jammed into his A♠ A♥ . He snap-called and Nahadeva showed 4♣ 4♥ . With the board running 3♠ Q♥ 9♠ A♦ Q♠ , it was overkill to ensure Ybarsabal the double up.