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Philippines, Manila

APPT Manila 2026

2026.07.28 - 2026.08.10 Add to Calendar

Asia Pacific Poker Tour

Updates Chip Counts Info

Blind level

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Entries

1/579

Total Chips

17,370,000

Average

17,370,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:55:00 AM

Kim Giboum Captures PokerStars Red Dragon for PHP 4,550,000 (~USD 74,005)

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Kim Giboum

Congratulations to South Korea's Kim Giboum, the new PokerStars Red Dragon champion!

Giboum takes home PHP 4,550,000 (~USD 74,005), the coveted PokerStars Red Dragon trophy, and an APPT Championship Package after an outstanding final table performance.

The victory marks the largest live tournament cash of his career. Just a year ago at APPT Manila 2025, Giboum finished runner-up in the APPT Open, falling one step short of lifting the APPT Shard Trophy. This time, he completed the job, adding one of the region's most prestigious titles to his resume by capturing the PokerStars Red Dragon trophy.

Stay tuned for the full final table recap, key hands, and the champion's winning journey on Somuchpoker.

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
1	KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	4,550,000	$74,005

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:51:00 AM

Czardy Rivera Eliminated in 2nd Place for PHP 2,830,000 (~USD 46,030)

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

Czardy Rivera

It didn't take long for the heads-up battle to reach its conclusion.

Czardy Rivera opened to 600,000, and Kim Giboum immediately responded by moving all in. Rivera wasted no time calling off his remaining 4,850,000 chips.

Czardy Rivera: K♣ Q♥

Kim Giboum: 5♣ 5♠

Rivera found no help on the A♦ A♣ J♣ flop, though the paired board gave him additional possibilities. The 8♠ turn added a few more outs, but the 4♣ river wasn't one of them.

Giboum's pocket fives held to eliminate Rivera in 2nd place.

Kim Giboum

Player	Chips	Progress
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	17,370,000(58 BB)	3,970,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	busted	-3,950,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
2	CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	2,830,000	$46,030

Level 34: 150,000 / 300,000 ante: 300,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 2/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:40:00 AM

The Dragon Awaits Its Master

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Heads Up

The PokerStars Red Dragon is down to its final two contenders.

Kim Giboum takes a commanding chip lead into heads-up play with 13,400,000, while Czardy Rivera will begin the duel with 3,950,000.

Both players have already secured an APPT Championship Package, but the biggest prize is still up for grabs. The eventual champion will take home PHP 4,550,000 (~USD 74,005), while the runner-up will earn PHP 2,830,000 (~USD 46,030).

Play is briefly paused as both finalists pose for the official photos and the tournament staff prepares the table for heads-up play. The PokerStars Red Dragon champion will be crowned shortly.

Player	Chips
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	13,400,000(54 BB)
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	3,950,000(16 BB)

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:37:00 AM

Edilberto Gopez Eliminated in 3rd Place for PHP 2,040,000 (~USD 33,180)

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Edilberto Gopez

After a brutal run of lost all-ins, Edilberto Gopez was left with just 2,800,000 and moved all in, with Kim Giboum looking to finish what he had started.

Edilberto Gopez: A♠ Q♦

Kim Giboum: 7♣ 7♦

It was another flip for Gopez's tournament life.

The K♦ 4♥ 2♠ flop kept Giboum's pocket pair in front, and disaster struck for Gopez on the 7♥ turn as Giboum improved to a set, sealing the outcome before the meaningless river.

Gopez's impressive run came to an end in 3rd place.

Earlier, he held nearly 70% of the chips in play and looked firmly in control of the title. But three consecutive all-in confrontations against Giboum completely changed the course of the final table, with Giboum winning every one of them to complete a remarkable turnaround and advance to heads-up play.

Player	Chips	Progress
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	13,400,000(54 BB)	4,900,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	3,950,000(16 BB)	-500,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	busted	-2,700,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
3	EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	2,040,000	$33,180

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:26:00 AM

Rivera Doubles Through Gopez

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Czardy Rivera

The all-in losses continue to pile up for Edilberto Gopez.

Gopez opened to 600,000 from the button before Czardy Rivera three-bet to 1,400,000. After a brief tank, Gopez moved all in, and Rivera instantly called off his remaining 1,975,000.

Czardy Rivera: A♠ 6♠

Edilberto Gopez: Q♠ Q♥

Gopez was a strong favorite preflop, but the A♦ J♣ 6♣ flop flipped the script, giving Rivera top two pair and leaving Gopez with just two queens to survive.

Neither arrived as the board completed 8♦ 2♥, sending another pot Rivera's way.

After once controlling nearly 70% of the chips in play, Gopez has watched his stack disappear through a string of lost all-ins and is now down to around 10 big blinds, the shortest stack remaining with three players left.

Player	Chips	Progress
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	4,450,000(18 BB)	2,050,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	2,700,000(11 BB)	-3,300,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:12:00 AM

Back-To-Back Double Ups

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Fresh off a double up, Kim Giboum wasted no time getting his chips back into the middle, shoving 4,125,000. Once again, Edilberto Gopez was there with the call, looking to finish him off.

Kim Giboum: K♦ Q♥

Edilberto Gopez: A♣ 6♣

For the second straight all-in, Giboum found the flop he needed as the dealer spread K♠ 8♣ 6♠, giving him top pair while Gopez paired his six.

The 5♦ turn changed nothing, and the K♥ river improved Giboum to trips, locking up another full double.

It was back-to-back double ups for Giboum, who turned the tables and climbed all the way to the chip lead.

Player	Chips	Progress
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	8,500,000(34 BB)	4,500,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	6,000,000(24 BB)	-4,400,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 10:02:29 AM

Double Keeps Giboum In

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

Kim Giboum

Short-stacked Kim Giboum moved all in for 1,750,000, and chip leader Edilberto Gopez quickly made the call.

Kim Giboum: A♦ K♠

Edilberto Gopez: J♥ T♥

Giboum immediately connected with the A♥ 7♦ 5♥ flop, pairing his ace. Gopez still had plenty of equity with a flush draw.

The 9♣ turn gave Gopez even more outs by adding an gut-shot straight draw, but the 9♠ river completed neither draw.

Giboum's top pair held up for a much-needed double up, keeping the three-handed battle alive.

Player	Chips	Progress
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	10,400,000(42 BB)	-1,750,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	4,000,000(16 BB)	2,250,000

Level 33: 125,000 / 250,000 ante: 250,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 3/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 9:51:00 AM

Naoaki Ishihara Eliminated in 4th Place for PHP 1,570,000 (~USD 25,535)

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Naoaki Ishihara

This was perhaps the defining hand of the tournament.

With the chip lead hanging in the balance, Edilberto Gopez opened to 450,000 from under the gun before Naoaki Ishihara responded with a three-bet to 1,200,000 on the button. Gopez took his time before announcing all in for 5,800,000, and Ishihara snap-called for his remaining 5,525,000.

Naoaki Ishihara: 9♦ 9♠

Edilberto Gopez: A♣ Q♦

It was a massive flip, with Ishihara remaining in front after the 8♣ 4♦ 2♣ flop.

Everything changed on the A♠ turn.

Gopez leaped from his seat in celebration as the ace paired, leaving Ishihara with just one chance to survive. The T♦ river blanked, ending Ishihara's impressive run in 4th place.

The enormous pot gave Gopez a commanding chip lead and may well have been the tournament-winning moment with only three players left in contention.

Edilberto Gopez

Player	Chips	Progress
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	11,825,000(59 BB)	7,725,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	3,800,000(19 BB)	-1,300,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	2,400,000(12 BB)	1,425,000
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	busted	-7,175,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
4	NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	1,570,000	$25,535

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 9:31:00 AM

Updated Chip Counts

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

Player	Chips	Progress
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	7,175,000(36 BB)	1,315,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	5,100,000(26 BB)	1,270,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	4,100,000(21 BB)	-400,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	975,000(5 BB)	-1,235,000

Level 32: 100,000 / 200,000 ante: 200,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/579

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 4/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 9:05:00 AM

Giboum Halts The Heater

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Kim Giboum

After winning back-to-back monster pots, Naoaki Ishihara kept the pressure on, opening to 500,000 from the cutoff.

From the small blind, Kim Giboum responded with a shove for 1,755,000. Riding the momentum of his hot streak, Ishihara quickly made the call.

Kim Giboum: A♥ K♥

Naoaki Ishihara: J♥ T♥

The A♣ 6♠ 2♠ flop heavily favored Giboum as he paired his ace. When the 4♦ landed on the turn, his double up was secured, making the river irrelevant.

The timely double halted Ishihara's blistering run and brought Giboum right back into contention with four players remaining.

Player	Chips	Progress
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	5,860,000(37 BB)	-940,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	3,830,000(24 BB)	1,530,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 8:59:00 AM

Yuanning Wu Eliminated in 5th Place for PHP 1,205,000 (~USD 19,600)

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Yuanning Wu

After suffering a brutal bad beat in the previous hand, Yuanning Wu was left with 1,750,000 and decided it was time to make his move, shoving all in.

Fresh off winning the massive three-way all-in, Naoaki Ishihara looked him up, hoping to claim the rest of Wu's chips.

Yuanning Wu: A♥ 9♣

Naoaki Ishihara: T♠ T♥

Ishihara's pocket tens stayed in front throughout as the board ran K♠ 7♣ 4♥ K♥ 7♥, offering Wu no help.

There would be no comeback this time. Wu, the 2023 APPT Manila Main Event champion, bowed out in 5th place, while Ishihara continued his charge with another knockout.

Player	Chips	Progress
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	6,800,000(43 BB)	1,235,000
YW Yuanning WuChina	busted	-1,700,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
5	YW Yuanning WuChina	1,205,000	$19,600

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 8:51:00 AM

Edwards Lawford Eliminated in 6th Place for PHP 930,000 (~USD 15,125)

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

Edwards Lawford

The biggest pot of the final table so far produced a new chip leader and sent one player to the rail.

The action ended with three players all in preflop. Edwards Lawford was the shortest stack with 1,295,000, Naoaki Ishihara was at risk for 1,935,000, while Yuanning Wu comfortably covered both.

Edwards Lawford: A♦ 4♦

Naoaki Ishihara: Q♥ Q♠

Yuanning Wu: K♠ K♣

Wu looked in complete control with pocket kings, but the A♠ 7♥ 3♦ flop turned everything upside down. Lawford paired his ace to take the lead, leaving both Ishihara and Wu drawing to just two outs each.

The Q♣ on the turn was a dream card for Ishihara, giving him a set and vaulting him into the lead. The T♠ river changed nothing, allowing Ishihara to scoop the massive pot.

The huge hand propelled Ishihara to the chip lead, while Edwards Lawford was eliminated in 6th place.

Edwards Lawford and Naoaki Ishihara

Player	Chips	Progress
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	5,565,000(35 BB)	3,630,000
YW Yuanning WuChina	1,700,000(11 BB)	-1,935,000
EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	busted	-1,295,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
6	EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	930,000	$15,125

Level 31: 80,000 / 160,000 ante: 160,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 8:30:37 AM

Rivera Chips Up Quietly

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Czardy Rivera

Czardy Rivera has quietly put together one of the best runs of the current level.

Starting with just 625,000 chips, Rivera has steadily built his stack to 3,600,000, all without having to show a single card.

Player	Chips	Progress
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	3,600,000(30 BB)	2,975,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 8:19:47 AM

Gopez Back On Top

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Edilberto Gopez

After seeing his stack dwindle to around 1,500,000, Edilberto Gopez has mounted an impressive recovery.

The seasoned Filipino has battled his way back to approximately 4,500,000 chips, reclaiming the tournament chip lead after a series of well-timed pots.

Player	Chips	Progress
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	4,500,000(38 BB)	1,125,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 7:50:00 AM

Updated Chip Counts

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

Player	Chips	Progress
YW Yuanning WuChina	4,350,000(36 BB)	820,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	3,920,000(33 BB)	-780,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	3,375,000(28 BB)	1,950,000
EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	2,655,000(22 BB)	-640,000
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	2,420,000(20 BB)	-350,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	625,000(5 BB)	-575,000

Level 30: 60,000 / 120,000 ante: 120,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/579

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 7:17:00 AM

Ishihara Finally Gets Paid

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Naoaki Ishihara

After moving all in several times without action, Naoaki Ishihara finally found a caller.

Edilberto Gopez opened to 200,000 from under the gun before Ishihara, from the cutoff, shoved for 1,260,000. Gopez wasted no time making the call, putting the Japanese player at risk.

Naoaki Ishihara: A♥ 7♠

Edilberto Gopez: J♣ J♠

Gopez was ahead until the dealer spread the A♦ 4♦ 4♠ flop, pairing Ishihara's ace and leaving Gopez with just two remaining jacks to turn the hand around.

The 2♠ turn offered no help, and the 9♦ river completed the board, securing the full double up for Ishihara.

Meanwhile, Gopez, who began the final table as the chip leader, was left with a short stack after surrendering another sizeable pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	2,770,000(28 BB)	1,790,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	1,425,000(14 BB)	-1,325,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 7:08:48 AM

Giboum Takes The Chip Lead

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

Kim Giboum

Fresh off picking off Czardy Rivera's bluff, Kim Giboum continued to build momentum.

Opening to 200,000 from under the gun, Giboum was met with a 550,000 three-bet from Edilberto Gopez.

Back on Giboum, he responded with a four-bet to 1,250,000, forcing Gopez to quickly release his hand.

The uncontested pot was enough to push Giboum into the chip lead, capping off a remarkable surge after winning several key pots in succession.

Player	Chips	Progress
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	4,700,000(47 BB)	1,910,000
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	2,750,000(28 BB)	-975,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	1,200,000(12 BB)	-1,850,000

Level 29: 50,000 / 100,000 ante: 100,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 6/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 6:40:00 AM

Lourd Keven Ejem Eliminated in 7th Place for PHP 715,000 (~USD 11,630)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Lourd Keven Ejem

Fresh off eliminating Marc Rivera in 8th place, Lourd Keven Ejem found himself in another massive pot, this time against Marc's brother, Czardy Rivera.

Ejem opened from the hijack, and Rivera defended his big blind.

The flop came K♦ 9♦ 7♠. Ejem continued for a small 90,000, only for Rivera to spring a check-raise to 500,000. Ejem refused to slow down, moving all in for roughly 1,000,000, and Rivera quickly called.

Lourd Keven Ejem: A♠ A♣

Czardy Rivera: K♥ Q♠

Ejem was in great shape with pocket aces against Rivera's top pair. However, the Q♥ on the turn flipped the script, improving Rivera to two pair and leaving Ejem drawing thin.

The T♣ river failed to rescue Ejem, ending his run in 7th place.

Moments after watching his brother hit the rail, Czardy Rivera got his revenge, eliminating Ejem to keep the Rivera family's title hopes alive.

Player	Chips	Progress
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	3,050,000(38 BB)	1,200,000
LK Lourd Keven EjemPhilippines	busted	-1,350,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
7	LK Lourd Keven EjemPhilippines	715,000	$11,630

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 6:30:00 AM

Marc Rivera Eliminated in 8th Place for PHP 550,000 (~USD 8,945)

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Marc Rivera

Down to 65,000 (less than one big blind), Marc Rivera committed his remaining chips from early position.

Both blinds came along to see a K♣ 8♥ 7♦ flop. From the small blind, Lourd Keven Ejem led for 80,000, forcing Edilberto Gopez out of the pot and leaving Rivera heads-up at showdown.

Marc Rivera: A♠ J♦

Lourd Keven Ejem: K♥ 7♥

Rivera was already behind against Ejem's two pair and needed running cards to survive. The 3♣ turn ended those hopes, making the Q♠ river academic.

Rivera bowed out in 8th place. Ranked third on the Philippines All Time Money List with more than US$4.4 million in live tournament earnings, he added another cash to his impressive résumé with another deep run at APPT Manila 2026.

Player	Chips	Progress
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	3,725,000(47 BB)
LK Lourd Keven EjemPhilippines	1,350,000(17 BB)
MR Marc RiveraPhilippines	busted	-65,000

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
8	MR Marc RiveraPhilippines	550,000	$8,945

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 6:15:00 AM

Updated Chip Counts

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

Player	Chips	Progress
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	3,605,000(45 BB)	-245,000
YW Yuanning WuChina	3,530,000(44 BB)	-470,000
EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	3,295,000(41 BB)	255,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	2,790,000(35 BB)	790,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	1,850,000(23 BB)	-45,000
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	980,000(12 BB)	100,000
LK Lourd Keven EjemPhilippines	950,000(12 BB)	-150,000
MR Marc RiveraPhilippines	345,000(4 BB)	-330,000

Level 28: 40,000 / 80,000 ante: 80,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/579

Break

15 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 5:22:39 AM

Second Shove Gets Paid

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

Lourd Keven Ejem

Lourd Keven Ejem first open-shoved but found no callers, collecting the blinds uncontested.

On the very next hand, Ejem was back at it, moving all in again for 475,000. This time, Marc Rivera looked him up from the button.

Lourd Keven Ejem: Q♠ Q♥

Marc Rivera: A♥ J♦

Ejem couldn't have asked for a better flop as the dealer spread Q♣ 8♥ 3♦, giving him top set and leaving Rivera needing running cards to survive.

The 5♦ turn officially locked up the pot for Ejem, with the 4♥ river unable to change the outcome.

Player	Chips	Progress
LK Lourd Keven EjemPhilippines	1,100,000(18 BB)	300,000
MR Marc RiveraPhilippines	675,000(11 BB)	-265,000

Level 27: 30,000 / 60,000 ante: 60,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 8/579

Callum JuryCallum Jury

8/3/2026, 5:00:00 AM

Emmanuel Derecho Eliminated in 9th Place for PHP 437,800 (~USD 7,120)

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Emmanuel Derecho

Button Emmanuel Derecho, who started the day as the table short stack, got his 430,000 into the middle, and after a brief moment of deliberation, big blind Kim Giboum looked him up.

Emmanuel Derecho: A♠ 6♠

Kim Giboum: 4♣ 4♥

It was a fair fight, with the Korean coming out ahead on the 2♣ 3♦ J♠ flop.

The K♦ turn changed little too, with Derecho still needing an ace or a six to stay alive.

Unfortunately for him, the 2♦ river wasn't one of those cards, and he was sent to the rail as the first final table elimination of the day.

Emmanuel Derecho

Player	Chips
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	2,000,000(40 BB)
ED Emmanuel DerechoAustralia	busted

Place	Player	Prize (PHP)	Prize (USD)
9	ED Emmanuel DerechoAustralia	437,800	$7,120

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 4:43:07 AM

Easy Chips For Ishihara

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Naoaki Ishihara

Short-stacked Naoaki Ishihara found some much-needed breathing room after moving all in on back-to-back hands.

Neither shove received a caller, allowing Ishihara to collect the blinds and antes uncontested both times.

The two successful steals added roughly five big blinds to his stack, buying him a little more time at the final table.

Player	Chips	Progress
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	880,000(18 BB)	205,000

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 4:33:28 AM

Gopez Wins First Big Pot

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

Edilberto Gopez

The first sizeable pot of the final table went the way of Edilberto Gopez.

Action began with Gopez opening to 100,000 from middle position before Kim Giboum defended aggressively from the big blind with a three-bet to 400,000. Gopez made the call.

Giboum continued for 225,000 on the J♣ 5♥ 3♦ flop and followed up with another 550,000 on the T♥ turn. Gopez called both bets to bring the 6♦ river.

This time, Giboum slowed down and checked.

Sensing an opportunity, Gopez fired 800,000 into the middle. Giboum burned through two time banks before finally giving up his hand, sending the first massive pot of the day to the Filipino chip leader.

Player	Chips	Progress
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	3,850,000(77 BB)	520,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	1,550,000(31 BB)	-1,330,000

Level 26: 25,000 / 50,000 ante: 50,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 4:10:55 AM

Shuffle Up And Deal!

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

The cards are officially in the air at the PokerStars Red Dragon final table.

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

60 minutes

Remaining Players: 9/579

Derick ElominaDerick Elomina

8/3/2026, 2:53:00 AM

PokerStars Red Dragon Final Table Set; Gopez Leads Final Nine

Level 25: 20,000 / 40,000 ante: 40,000

PokerStars Red Dragon Final Table

The PokerStars Red Dragon has reached its final table after drawing 579 entries, comfortably surpassing last year's 433-entry field and building a PHP 25,012,800 (~USD 408,000) prize pool, nearly double the original PHP 15,000,000 (~USD 245,000) guarantee.

The Philippines' Edilberto Gopez leads the final nine with 3,330,000, closely followed by Yuanning Wu of China on 3,290,000. Wu is no stranger to the APPT stage, having captured the 2023 APPT Manila Main Event title. Australia's Edwards Lawford rounds out the top three with 3,040,000, while fellow Australian Emmanuel Derecho returns as the short stack with 505,000.

Every finalist has already secured PHP 437,800 (~USD 7,120), but all eyes are firmly set on the PHP 4,550,000 (~USD 74,005) first-place prize, the prestigious PokerStars Red Dragon trophy, and an APPT Championship Package awaiting the eventual champion.

Play resumes under 24 hands per level, replacing the standard timed levels for the final table. The chip penalty system introduced at APPT Manila 2026 also remains in effect, with penalties assessed in chips rather than missed hands for applicable rule violations.

Stay tuned to Somuchpoker for live hand-by-hand coverage, chip counts, eliminations, and every key moment as the PokerStars Red Dragon champion is crowned.

SMPSMP

8/2/2026, 8:24:53 PM

Final 9 Players

Chip Counts

Player	Chips
EG Edilberto GopezPhilippines	3,330,000
YW Yuanning WuChina	3,290,000
EL Edwards LawfordAustralia	3,040,000
KG Kim GiboumSouth Korea	2,880,000
CR Czardy RiveraPhilippines	1,895,000
MR Marc RiveraPhilippines	940,000
LK Lourd Keven EjemPhilippines	800,000
NI Naoaki IshiharaJapan	675,000
ED Emmanuel DerechoAustralia	505,000

Remaining Payouts

Place	Payout (PHP)	Payout (USD)
1	4,550,000	$74,005
2	2,830,000	$46,030
3	2,040,000	$33,180
4	1,570,000	$25,535
5	1,205,000	$19,600
6	930,000	$15,125
7	715,000	$11,630
8	550,000	$8,945
9	437,800	$7,120