India’s Raju Jaruplavath successfully claimed the Baby Lion Trophy in the PHP 12,000 Philippines National Cup, securing the coveted top prize of PHP 797,765 ($13,707) after a final heads-up duel with Singapore’s Zhi Png, who finished as the runner-up and took home an impressive prize of PHP 503,000 ($8,643).

After an intense Day 1, the field of 652 entries, generating a prize pool of PHP 4,034,765 (~$69,326), was whittled down to just 58 survivors. The Indian player maintained his momentum, eliminating three players at the final table, achieving his ultimate goal, and taking home his first APT Lion Trophy.

Jaruplavath showcased his stellar psychological play with a daring bet without showing hesitation against Mingchen Zhang, and managed to rake in a sizable pot with nine-five holdings.

Flight C frontrunner Katsuyuki Kondo of Japan narrowly missed out on making his maiden APT final table appearance, his tenth place exit at the hands of Thailand's Sarawoot Ratanatabtim setting up the nine-handed finale.

It took close to a cagey two hours and three levels of play before the first final table elimination, Thailand's Suprachaicharoen Prachaya losing a pre-flop all-in coin flip with pocket nines against the ace-ten of the Philippines' David Erquiaga who spiked his ace on the runout to send Prachaya to the rail in ninth place for a payout of PHP 75,000 (~$1,289).

Japan's Atsushi Takeuchi followed Prachaya to the rail shortly afterwards, open-shoving with eight-five only to be looked up by Zhang holding pocket threes. It was another coin flip, but unlike Erquiaga, Takeuchi didn’t receive any help sending him to the cash desk to collect PHP 94,000 (~$1,615) for his eighth place finish.

The pace of eliminations slowed, and the remaining seven players exchanged chips for over an hour until Erquiaga shoved with pocket tens, unfortunately, the Filipino ran into Zhang’s cowboys to exit in seventh place for PHP 132,000 (~$2,273).

Later that same level with slightly over one big blind, Thailand's Chayathon Wongpipatchai had no choice but to call a raise from compatriot Ratanatabtim, with Jaruplavath also coming along for the ride.

In the three-way hand, both Wongpipatchai and Ratanatabtim improved to top pair with queens; however, Jaruplavath continued his strong run and completed a Broadway straight, to send Wongpipatchai to the rail and take a big bite out of Ratanatabtim's stack. Wongpipatchai took home a payout of PHP 176,000 (~$3,024).

China's Zhang departed in fifth a level later after open-jamming with queen-ten and receiving two callers from the blinds, hoping for a double elimination.

However, small blind Jansen Tiu folded on the flop, leaving Zhang in a heads-up showdown against Jaruplavath’s pocket fives. The board provided no help for either player, and Zhang made his way to the cash desk to collect his reward of PHP 225,000 (~$3,875).

Ratanatabtim was the next elimination, departing minutes after Zhang; holding nine-eight, the Thai called a towering shove from Tiu, who held a dominating ace-eight. The runout favored Tiu, improving him to a top pair of aces, sending Ratanatabtim to the rail in fourth for PHP 287,000 (~$4,931).

However, Tiu did not get to enjoy his win for long and the Filipino player became embroiled in a raising war with Jaruplavath with all the chips going in pre-flop – Tiu’s ace-jack facing off against Jaruplavath’s pocket sixes. A six on the turn dashed Tiu's chances, giving Jaruplavath a set and bring play heads-up. Tiu collected PHP 361,000 (~$6,217) for his third-place finish.

In the final battle, Png played aggressively for a few hands before moving all-in with ace-three over the top of a Jaruplavath button raise, with the Indian player calling with a superior kicker holding ace-jack. The board did not improve either player, sealing the runner-up position for Png, who took home PHP 503,000 (~$8,643).

Congratulations to Raju Jaruplavath!

India's Raju Jaruplavath wins the Philippines National Cup for PHP 797,765 (~13,707).

Stay tuned for a full recap of the day's action

Raju Jaruplavath raised to 900,000 on the button and Zhi Xiang Png shoved all in for around 1,530,000 in the big blind. Jaruplavath snap-called.

Zhi Xiang Png: A♥ 3♦

Raju Jaruplavath: A♠ J♣

Jaruplavath took the lead with a better kicker and a clean board revealed swiftly 7♣ 2♥ T♥ 7♦ 6♠ , sealing Png’s elimination in second place for a payday of PHP 503,000 (~$8,643).

We are down to our final two players at the 2025 Manila Classic Philippines National Cup. It all looks like Raju Jaruvaplath will take down this tournament, as he is going into the heads-up match with a commanding chip lead.

Png folded on the button and Jansen Tiu completed from the small-blind. The chipleader Raju Jaruplavath made it 560,000. At this po,int it was a bit unclear as to whether Tiu wanted to announce a raise, as he seemed like he wanted to call. However, the decision that he had to put in a raise persisted so he had to put in a minimum raise to 940,000. Jaruplavath responded with an all-in, covering Tiu's around 2,000,000 chips.

Jansen Tiu: A♦ J♥ Raju Jaruplavath: 6♦ 6♥

The board ran out 8♠ 4♠ 3♣ 6♣ T♥ , busting Tiu in 3rd place, which made him PHP 361,000 for his great run.

With three players remaining, the action is being played at a lightning pace.

Not long ago, Raju Jaraplavath raised the button to 320,000 and Zhi Png called from the small blind, playing a stack of just over 2,000,000.

Jansen Tiu was in the big blind and shoved for around 2,600,000, which earned him the pot as both of his opponents folded.

Jaruplavath still remains in command with over half of the chips in play.

Jasen Tiu shoved all in on the button for 2,225,000 and Sarawoot Ratanatabtim called off his remaining 600,000.

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim: 9♦ 8♣

Jansen Tiu: A♦ 8♦

Tiu took the lead with a superior kicker and improved to top pair on the flop of 2♥ 7♦ A♣ , leaving Ratanatabtim a slim chance to win. A runout revealed 2♦ 4♥ , ending Ratanatabtim’s tournament run in fourth place for a payday of PHP 287,000 (~$4,931).

Short-stack Mingchen Zhang opened jammed his 340,000 from the button and got a chance for a triple up, as both blinds called. The flop came down 6♣ 6♥ 3♠ , and after Jansen in the small-blind checked, Jaruplavath put out a bet of 500,000, which was enough to make this a heads-up pot.

Mingchen Zhang: Q♥ T♠ Raju Jaruplavath: 5♦ 5♣

The A♣ turn and 8♦ did not bring any help for Zhang who busted in 5th place, good for PHP 225,000.

With only 5 players left at the table Jansen Tiu opened to 450,000 from under the gun. Raju Jaruplavath immediately shoved from the cutoff covering the entire table. When the action got back to Tiu, he put his head in his hands.

"Why bro, why?" cried Tiu.

Some time went by and eventually, Tiu tossed his cards face up in the muck, showing Q Q .

"I promise I had you beat," said Jaruplavath when he saw the cards of his opponent.

"You swear?" replied Tiu.

Jaruplavath didn't reply.

Big, big fold from Tiu!

With only 245,000 remaining, Zhang moved all-in from the cut-off position and got called by Ratanatabtim in the big blind.

Minchen Zhang: A♦ 9♣ Sarawoot Ratanatabtim: Q♦ 7♥

The board did neither player give any pairs, as it ran out 6♠ 5♥ 3♥ 3♦ T♣ , giving Zhang a much-needed double-up.

The remaining five players are on a 15-minute break.

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim raised to 250,000 from under the gun and Raju Jaruplavath called in the small blind. After thinking for a while, Chayathon Wongpipatchai elected to call off his remaining 170,000.

Three players read a flop of Q♥ K♥ T♦ Jaruplavath check it to Ratanatabtim, who bet 150,000. Jaruplavath then raised it to 300,000, which Ratanatabtim dropped in a call to see the 7♠ land on the turn.

Jaruplavath fired out 600,000 and Ratanatabtim snap-called.

The river showed T♥

The action went check-check. Wongpipatchai showed Q♦ 2♠ while Ratanatabtim turned over A♣ Q♣ , giving both players two pair.

It was not enough to best Jaruplavath’s A♦ J♣ for a flopped Broadway straight, sealing the elimination of Wongpipatchai and awarding Jaruplavath a huge pot.

The action folded around to Mingchen Zhang in the small blind, who shoved for around 2,600,000. Jansen Tiu was in the big blind and immediately asked for a count as he had a decision. With just over 2,000,000 in his stack, Tiu seemed like he knew he was going to call, but just couldn't say the words.

"I have a huge hand," said Tiu. After using some extra time, Tiu did call to put himself at risk.

Jansen Tiu: A♣ K♣

Mingchen Zhang: 6♥ 6♠

"You're never folding, man," remarked some of the other players at the table. "Maybe I would have, I was waiting for him to bust," replied Tiu in reference to Chayathon Wongpopatchai, who only had around 200,000 remaining.

Tiu never lived to regret his decision as he paired his king on the K♦ 8♠ 3♦ 7♠ 5♥ runout, which brought his stack to over four million, and left Zhang with just five big blinds.

Mingchen Zhang opened to 240,000 from under the gun only to be jammed by Jasen Tiu from the hijack and Zhang snap-called.

Jansen Tiu: A♣ Q♠

Mingchen Zhang: A♠ Q♦

The board ran out clean with T♦ 8♠ K♠ 9♥ A♦ , resulting in both players chopping the pot.

The action started with Mingchen Zhang opening from middle-position. It folded around to the short stacks in the blinds. First, Chayathon Wongpipatchai flatted from the small-blind, leaving himself around 180,000 behind. This put David Erquiaga was in a tough ICM spot. Eventually, he decided to move all-in for 580,000. The open raiser Zhang called, and the small-blind got out of the way.

David Erquiaga: T♠ T♥ Mingchen Zhang: K♠ K♥

On 9♦ 4♣ 3♥ 2♣ A♥ no help was found for Erquiaga who finished in 7th place.

Mingchen Zhang opened to 200,000 from the button and Raju Jaruplavath called from the big blind.

Both saw the flop of A♠ 9♥ 5♣ , which went check-check to the Q♠ turn. Jaruplavath then led out with a bet of 250,000, and Zhang quickly called.

A 4♣ completed the runout and without any hesitation, Jaruplavath grabbed a stack of green chips, worth 25,000 each, and slid them into the middle for a bet of 500,000. Zhang looked down at his stack of around 2,300,000 and after some deliberation, he called.

"Two pair," said Jaruplavath as he showed 9♠ 5♥ . Zhang tapped the table and then mucked, prompting a celebration from Jaruplavath.

"Yesss, big blind special!" he shouted as he clapped his hands.

"Wow, you are crazy," remarked Jansen Tiu.

Atsushi Takeuchi shoved all in for 625,000 from under the gun and Minchen Zhang defended from the big blind to put his opponent at risk.

Atsushi Takeuchi: 8♦ 5♣

Mingchen Zhang: 3♦ 3♥

Zhang held the lead with pocket threes, but Takeuchi still had a chance to stay alive on the flop of Q♥ Q♦ K♣ . Unfortunately for Takeuchi, the runout came clean with A♦ 2♦ , sealing his elimination in eighth place. He exits with a PHP 94,000 (~$1,615) payout for his efforts today.

From under the gun, Zhi Png opened to 220,000 and only Sarawoot Ratanatabtim called from the big blind.

The flop came down favorably for Zhi Png's range as it fell A♥ J♣ 3♠ . Sarawoot Ratanatabtim checked, and Png continued with a bet of 250,000.

Ratanatabtim, with around 750,000 behind, took a minute to deliberate before clicking it back with a check-raise to 500,000. Png thought for some time before open-folding A♣ K♣ for top pair, top kicker.

Ratanatabtim slid his cards face down to the dealer as the pot was sent over to him.

David Erquiaga shoved for 665,000 from under the gun and Suprachaicharoen Prachaya called off his stack of 350,000 from the cutoff.

Suprachaicharoen Prachaya: 9♠ 9♦

David Erquiaga: A♣ T♥

Prachaya was at risk and flipping for his tournament, which didn't get off to a great start as the 7♣ 3♠ A♠ flop left him with two outs. A 5♥ on turn was a brick, and the 6♦ river meant Prachaya was the first player to be eliminated on the final table.

Atsushi Takeuchi raised to 310,000 from early position and Sarawoot Ratanatabtim shoved all in for around 580,000 in the big blind, which Takeuchi dropped in a call.

Atsushi Takeuchi: K♣ Q♣

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim: 9♠ 9♣

Ratanatabtim picked up the lead with pocket nines but still needed to fade king and queen after the flop revealed 5♦ T♦ 2♥ to win the pot. The board decided to help Ratanatabtim with a runout of 8♥ 4♣ , securing him a much-needed double up.

With around 900,000 in his stack, Filipino crusher, David Erquiaga, opened the action from middle position with a raise to 180,000. Only Zhi Png called from the button.

The flop came down T♦ 4♥ 3♦ and Erquiaga checked his option over to Png, who bet 250,000. Erquiaga called.

The T♣ dropped on the turn and Erquiaga checked again. Png then shoved for Erquiaga's remaining 470,000. After using a couple of time banks, Erquiaga eventually decided to let his hand go, giving up around half of his stack to Png.

After thinking for roughly one minute, Suprachaicharoen Prachaya opted to raise to 160,000 from under the gun, with only Mingchen Zhang defending from the big blind.

Both players saw the flop come Q♠ 4♥ 3♦ , where Zhang check-called bat of 130,000 from Prachaya.

The T♠ fell on the turn, and the action went check-check. The river came the 6♥ , and Zhang shoved all in for Prachaya's remaining 550,000. Prachaya snap-folded and the pot was sent over to Zhang.

Suprachaicharoen Prachaya looked down at his cards from under the gun and liked what he saw, so shoved for 280,000. Raju Jaruplavath was two seats over and just called, as did Chayathon Wongpipatchai from middle position.

The flop came 3♦ 2♠ 5♣ where Jaruplavath bet 200,000 into the dry side pot, which Wongpipatchai immediately called. Jaruplavath continued to fire, this time by going all in on the 7♦ turn, which got Wongpipatchai to fold for his stack of around 800,000, claiming he passed pocket jacks.

Suprachaicharoen Prachaya: 3♠ 3♣

Raju Jaruplavath: K♦ K♠

Prachaya had flopped a set of threes and was just one card away from a huge triple-up, which would see him leap from the bottom spot in the counts. Jaruplavath couldn't believe it, and saw the main pot shipped over to his opponent when the Q♦ completed the runout.

It wasn't all doom and gloom for Jaruplavath, as he did take down the side pot, which minimized his losses in the hand.

"I should have checked the turn, then you definitely shove," said Jaruplavath to Wongpipatchai after the hand.

Atsushi Takeuchi raised to 130,000 from early position and only Sarawoot Ratanatabtim called from the small blind.

The dealer spread out a flop of T♦ K♠ J♥ , where Ratanatabtim check-called a bet of 100,000 from Takeuchi.

Both players saw the 6♦ fall on the turn, and Ratanatabtim checked. Takeuchi fired a second barrel of 250,000, and after rechecking his cards, Ratanatabtim tossed them into the muck.

So far, not much postflop action had been observed at this final table. That changed when Zhi Png opened from early position and Atsushi Takeuchi called from middle position.

The J♣ T♥ 7♥ flop checked through, but things heated up on the 4♦ turn. Png fired out a bet of 200,000, and Takeuchi quickly raised to 500,000. Png called, and they went to the river.

The board-pairing T♣ landed on the river, and Png instantly moved all in for around 750,000. Takeuchi let out a frustrated sigh and mucked, forfeiting the pot to Png.

Players are on a 15-minute break.

Jansen Tiu made it 125,000 from middle position and Raju Jaruplavath called from the next seat. Sarawoot Ratanatabtim also came along from the button.

All three checked the 4♥ A♦ K♠ flop to see the 3♦ drop on the turn. Tiu checked, then Jaruplavath fired out 170,000. Ratanatabtim folded, then Tiu went into the tank.

"Do you have pocket aces?" he asked. After using some extra time, Tiu shoved for 335,000.

"How much more?" asked Jaruplavath, who then was told it was 165,000 more to call. Despite the fantastic odds on offer, Jaruplavath decided to fold, and Tiu flashed the K♦ as he raked in the pot.

"You must show the other king," joked Jaruplavath.

"Cannot, cannot," replied Tiu as the players headed into break.

Raju Jaruplavath raised to 125,000 from the cutoff and was called by the blinds.

There players saw a flop of 6♦ 7♣ A♣ , where David Erquiaga, from the small blind, fired out 325,000, which only Jaruplavath dropped in a call.

The turn revealed the Q♦ , and Erquiaga checked it to Jaruplavath, who then shoved all in and forced his opponent to fold.

Mingchen Zhang raised the hijack to 100,000 and Raju Jaruplavath defended from the big bind.

Both players read a monotone flop of J♦ K♦ 4♦ , and Jaruplavath checked it to Zhang, who continued for 80,000. Jaruplavath called to see the T♥ fall on the turn. The action went check-check.

The river brought a 2♥ , and the two decided to check to a free showdown. While Jaruplavath revealed a pair of fours with 7♠ 4♥ , Zhang showed Q♥ J♥ for a higher pair of jacks to collect the pot.

Zhi Png opened to 120,000 from the cutoff, and Atsushi Takeuchi responded with a three-bet to 300,000 from the small blind. The big blind got out of the way, and Png quickly called.

The dealer fanned a 2♦ 8♣ 5♣ flop, where Takeuchi continued for 300,000. Without hesitation, Png moved all in.

Takeuchi, looking for more information, asked for a count. Upon hearing the dealer announce 830,000, he ultimately decided to fold, sending the pot to Png.

Adding a little extra sting, Png then revealed K♣ J♣ for two overs and a flush draw — much to Takeuchi’s frustration.

The final nine players are now taking a short break before they play out the final table.

The action folded around to Sarawoot Ratanatabtim in the small blind, who shoved all in. Katsuyuki Kondo was in the big blind and with just 80,000 behind, he put himself at risk.

Katsuyuki Kondo: J♣ 6♦

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim: A♠ K♣

Kondo had less than two big blinds remaining in his stack and felt pot-committed after having invested 100,000 in blinds and antes. With live cards, he certainly was getting right price, but it didn't seem to pay off after the 7♦ Q♦ Q♣ flop kept Ratanatabtim in the lead.

The 6♣ on the turn gave Kondo a glimmer of hope, as he paired his six and had a shot at survival. But that hope was short-lived — the 7♠ river counterfeited his pair, sealing his fate in tenth as the final table bubble boy.

Atsushi Takeuchi opened from late-position and short-stack Kenta Takahashi next to him moved all-in from the button for 215,000. Takeuchi made the call and Takahashi was at risk of getting busted by his fellow countryman.

Kenta Takahashi: Q♠ 9♠ Atsushi Takeuchi: Q♣ T♣

The A♣ 3♦ 2♦ Q♥ 7♣ gave Takahashi not the help he needed and he busted shortly before the final table.

Ryosuke Ikari open-shoved for 430,000 from the hijack and Mingchen Zhang defended from the big blind to put his opponent at risk.

Ryosuke Ikari: A♠ 8♥

Mingchen Zhang: A♦ T♣

Zhang picked up the lead with kicker ten. A runout filled out 3♥ Q♦ J♥ Q♣ 4♦ , setting the tone for Ikari’s elimination in 12th place for a reward of PHP 54,000 (~$928).

Raju Jaruplavath opened to 100,000 from the button and found a caller in Chayathon Wongpipatchai out of the small blind.

The two saw a Q♠ 7♦ 9♦ flop, where Wongpipatchai wasted no time in leading out for 50,000. Jaruplavath made the call.

The 5♣ landed on the turn, and once again, Wongpipatchai kept up his quick pace, firing another 50,000. In an instant, Jaruplavath raised to 200,000. Wongpipatchai took a moment to consider before making the call.

Both then checked to showdown on the 8♣ river and Wongpipatchai showed A♣ 9♥ for a pair of nines.

"Ace-high?" asked Jaruplavath, who then rolled over K♦ 5♠ for a pair of fives. However, he soon realized that his opponent had paired his nine and quickly mucked his cards.

It folded around to Sangyeon Leon on the button who put pressure on the blinds with an opening bet of 110,000. Sitting in the small-blind, Japanese player Atsushi Takeuchi responded with a three-bet to 230,000. Leon did not waste much time and moved all-in for around 500,000 total. Takeuchi made the call.

Sangyeon Leon: J♣ J♥ Atsushi Takeuchi: A♣ 9♠

The flop came out banging for Takeuchi, as he flopped trips on 9♣ 9♦ 6♦ . The board was completed with the 4♠ and 4♦ , taking Leon out in 13th place.

Christian Lortie open-shoved for 210,000 from the hijack and Atsushi Takeuchi also went all in from the cutoff for around 850,000 to put Lortie at risk.

Christian Lortie: J♣ Q♦

Atsushi Takeuchi: A♦ J♥

Takeuchi held the lead with an ace kicker. The board ran out dry and swiftly 2♦ K♠ 5♦ 4♠ 4♣ , sealing Lortie's elimination in fourteenth place for a payday of PHP 47,000 (~$808).

Down to his last 165,000, local player Anthony Gabitan moved all in from middle position. He nearly got his shove through, but Sangyeol Jeon called from the big blind to put Gabitan at risk.

Anthony Gabitan: A♥ 2♥

Sangyeol Jeon: Q♦ J♠

The flop came A♠ K♦ T♠ , giving Jeon the nut straight and leaving Gabitan needing running cards to survive. The 9♣ turn sealed his fate, and the 4♥ river completed the board, sending Gabitan to the payout desk in 15th place.

Atsushi Takeuchi opened from under the gun to 70,000 and Kenta Takahashi called from late position. Mingchen Zhang then three-bet to 200,000 from the hijack, which Takeuchi four-bet to 470,000. Takahashi then folded. Zhang then shoved all in for 665,000, and this didn’t deter Takeuchi from going all in for around 1,045,000.

Atsushi Takeuchi: J♥ J♣

Mingchen Zhang: A♥ A♦

Zhang picked up the lead with pocket aces, but the flop revealed bad news as it came 9♥ 9♣ J♦ , improving Takeuchi to a full house However, it was still not right timing for Zhang to leave as the runout showed Q♥ A♠ , giving Zhang a higher full house to collect the pot.

The action folded around to David Erquiaga in the small blind, who limped in. Jansen Tiu was in the big blind and checked his option.

Both knuckled the table on the A♠ J♦ 6♠ flop to see the 9♠ land on the turn. Erquiaga checked, then Tiu fired out 50,000. Erquiaga then min-raised to 100,000, and Tiu wasted no time in shoving for around 350,000. Erquiaga quickly called.

Jansen Tiu: 9♣ 6♥

David Erquiaga: J♠ 5♦

Erquiaga had a flush draw and pair outs, but it was Tiu who was favorite to double up as his turned two pair was in the lead.

The 7♣ on the river was a blank, which meant Tiu doubled up, and Erquiaga's stack took a small dent.

Big stack Atsushi Takeuchi opened to 80,000 from late position, and Shiva Shenbagaraj moved all in for 165,000 from the big blind. Takeuchi called, putting Shenbagaraj’s tournament life at risk.

Shiva Shenbagaraj: K♣ Q♠

Atsushi Takeuchi: 6♠ 4♠

Shenbagaraj couldn't survive the all-in as the board ran out 8♦ 4♣ 3♠ 2♠ A♣ , giving Takeuchi the winner with a pair of fours, sending Shenbagaraj to the rail in 16th place.

Dongjae Kim just experienced the full spectrum of tournament poker — ecstasy, agony, and everything in between!

With just 5,000 left in his stack, Kim tossed in his last blue chip from under the gun. Sangyeol Jeon, sitting in the hijack, shoved for around 250,000, and the rest of the table got out of the way.

Jeon then turned over A♠ A♣ , causing Kim to drop to his knees as he revealed K♦ K♥ — a brutal cooler at the worst possible time. The 3♦ 9♣ 5♥ flop did him no favors, and it looked like the end of the road. But then, the K♣ landed on the turn, flipping the script and putting Kim in the lead! A harmless 6♣ river sealed his unlikely comeback, turning his last 5,000 into 70,000.

In the very next hand, Ryosuke Ikari moved all in from the button, and Kim, still riding the high of his double-up, called off his remaining 20,000 from the big blind — without even looking at his cards!

Ikari showed 4♠ 4♣ , while Kim, one by one, peeled A♦ 5♥ .

The 3♠ T♠ 8♥ flop kept Ikari ahead, but the 5♣ turn sent Kim into another celebration as he paired his five to take the lead. However, as the saying goes, it’s not over until it’s over — and the 4♦ river delivered a set for Ikari, slamming the door shut on Kim’s wild rollercoaster ride.

What a run, what a heartbreak!

On three-way all-in hand just played out and resulted in double elimination.

Thailand’s Jirawat Laohirantakool open-shoved for 260,000 from the cutoff and his compatriot Chayathon Wongpipatchai also went all-in for 900,000. After some consideration, Dalvin Miguel Carvalho followed the action for around 200,000.

Jirawat Laohirantakool: A♣ 9♠

Chayathon Wongpipatchai: A♠ Q♥

Dalvin Miguel Carvalho: K♣ T♦

A monotone flop filled out 7♥ T♥ 5♥ , giving Carvalho a pair of tens and held the lead. Wongpipatchai was looking for a heart to complete his a flush draw. The runout came for Wongpipatchai as it showed J♥ 7♦ , improving Wongpipatchai to a flush and sending both of his opponents out of the field.

Junyoung Kim opened up the action from early-position and only the short stacks in the blinds, Maxwell Rosete (110,000 remaining), and Prachaya Suprachaicharoen (205,000 remaining) called. The T♣ 2♣ 2♥ looked innocent, but turned out to be an action flop.

First-to-act player Rosete moved all-in, and the Thai player in the big-blind jammed all-in himself. This put the original opener Kim in an awkward spot. Considering the great price he got, he tanked for a couple minutes before deciding to gamble.

Maxwell Rosete: K♣ Q♣ Prachaya Suprachaicharoen: J♦ 2♦ Junyoung Kim: A♠ J♠

Suprachaicharoen was in a great spot to win an important pot with only three tables remaining. All he had to do was to fade the clubs and a few backdoors. The 7♠ on the turn and Q♦ on the river did exactly that and the Thai player is sitting now in a comfortable spot with the final table approaching fast.

David Erquiaga raised to 55,000 from under the gun and Bharath Jayaram defended out of the big blind.

Both saw a flop of 2♣ 4♦ 5♥ fall, and the action went check-check. The A appeared on the turn, where Jayaram led out for 40,000, and Erquiaga called.

On the 9♣ river, the two players checked and the cards were revealed. Jayaram turned over T♣ 7♣ for a bluff with ten-high, while Erquiaga tabled two pair with A♣ 4♣ to collect the pot.

Erquiaga now has accumulated close to a million chips.

Haewon Jung moved his stack into the middle from the hijack for around 225,000, and Raju Jaruplavath flicked in the call from the big blind with a covering stack.

Haewon Jung: K♣ Q♥

Raju Jaruplavath: 7♥ 7♣

Jung was flipping for his tournament life, but was left on the brink of elimination after the 8♣ 7♠ 4♠ flop gave Jaruplavath a set of sevens. Only running cards could save Jung from the rail, but he couldn't find the miracle he needed as the 9♥ 6♦ runout left him on the sidelines.

Christian Lortie raised to 40,000 from under the gun and only Martin Gonzales called from the small blind.

A flop of K♣ J♦ K♠ fell, and Gonzales checked it to Lortie, who continued with a bet of 40,000. This was enough to make Gonzales return his cards into the muck, and the pot was sent to Lortie.

Nattawut Kwunsong made it 35,000 to go from under the gun and Sangyeol Jeon defended from the big blnd.

On a flop of Q♥ 4♣ 2♦ , both players checked to see the Q♦ turn, where Jeon bet 25,000. Kwunsong raised to 50,000, and after a few moments, Jeon dropped in a call.

The river came the 5♦ , and the action went check-check. Jeon flipped over Q♣ J♣ for trips of queens, leaving Kwunsong no choice but to forfeit the pot.

Raju Jaruplavath raised from the cutoff and Denis Semerenko shoved all in for 80,000 on the button. After the blinds folded, Jaruplavath called to put Semerenko at risk.

Denis Semerenko: A♣ 8♣

Raju Jaruplavath: A♥ Q♦

Jaruplavath was in great shape to send Semerenko to the rail if he could fade an eight. The dealer swiftly delivered a board of T♠ K♠ 3♦ 2♣ 3♣ , keeping Jaruplavath ahead the whole way, sending Semerenko to the rail.

Suprachaicharoen Prachaya opened up the action and got called by Junyoung Kim before the Indian Barath Jayaram moved all-in for around 100,000. His fellow countryman Kunal Patni next to him came over top, jamming himself. The big-blind as well, as Kim went deep into the tank but eventually both players elected to fold, and the remaining players were off to the races.

Barath Jayaram: A♣ J♥

Kunal Patni: T♣ T♠

The board ran out favorable for Jayaram as it read A♦ 7♠ 5♥ 4♠ 2♦ .

Jayrama got more than a double-up, though as it turned out, much luck was needed, as the two players folded Ax Kx and Ax Qx preflop.

Mingchen Zhang open-shoved for around 270,000 from the small blind and Nuttopol Meechaimanjit called off his last 96,000 out of the big blind.

Nuttapol Meechaimanjit: A♣ 5♦

Mingchen Zhang: A♦ 2♦

It looked likely to a be a chop pot, and even more so after the dealer fanned out a flop of K♠ J♣ 4♥ . The rest of the board ran out 3♠ 2♣ to give Meechaimanjit a straight and he doubled up through Zhang

Sangyeol Jeon opened up the action from early position and got called by Numata Takahiro and Dalvin Carvalho in the blinds.

The flop came down J♠ 7♣ 4♦ and it checked to him, Jeon continued with a 20,000 bet. Both opponents called.

The turn came the K♦ , which was checked to Jeon again. He continued putting on the pressure with a bet of 62,000. Only Carvalho called from the big blind.

The river came the K and Carvalho went into the tank, before leading out with a bet of 125,000. Jeon rubbed his hands, before going all in for 160,000 chips more. Carvalho quickly made the call, covering Jeon.

Sangyeol Jeon: J♥ J♣

Dalvin Carvalho: A♣ K♥

This perfect runout for Jeon as he had a full house to beat Carvalho's trip kings. This puts Jeon in a great spot to run even deeper in his first-ever live cash.

After a raise from Katsuyuki Kondo from under the gun, King Chun Leung shoved all in for 114,000. After it folded back to Kondo, he called to put his opponent at risk.

King Chun Leung: 9♠ 8♠

Katsuyuki Kondo: J♣ 9♣

Kondo held the lead on the flop of 2♥ 6♣ A♠ , but the dealer quickly sent some bad news as the 8♥ came on the turn, improving Leung to a pair of eights. The river brought the Q♥ , which was no help to Kondo. The pot was sent to Leung, who secured a much-needed double up.

Zhi Xiang Png made it 22,000 to go from under the gun, and Numata Takahiro re-raised to 50,000 from the big blind. Png dropped in a call.

On the flop of Q♠ J♣ J♥ , Takahiro continued with a bet of 35,000 only to be faced with a chunky raise to 100,000 from Png. After some consideration, Takahiro announced a call. However, Png thought his opponent folded so he revealed Q♣ .

After checking with the floor, the hand continued. The dealer sent an 9♠ on the turn, and the action went check-check. “You already know my card,” said Png. A Q♥ showed on the river, improving Png to a full house. Png shouted “all-in,” before Takahiro folded.

Kenta Takahashi opened to 22,000 from under the gun and received three callers: Martin Gonzales from late position, Dongjae Kim on the button, and Katsuyuki Kondo from the big blind.

A flop ran out 3♦ T♦ A♣ , where Kondo checked over before Takahashi continued for 20,000, which was followed by a fold from Gonzales and a call from Kim. When the action got back to Kondo, he mucked. The T♠ fell on the turn, and Takahashi fired out 45,000. Kim called to see a 5♣ land on the river, which Takahashi fired another chunky bet of 85,000 and sent Kim into the tank. After around two minutes, Kim eventually elected to fold.

First-to-act player Raju Jaruplavath opened up the action and got three-bet by the Russian Denis Semerenko next to him. It folded around to the opener raiser, who put in the call.

The flop came down K♣ T♣ 7♥ , and, afer Jaruplavath checked his option, Semerenko continued with a bet of 40,000. The Indian professional responded with a raise to 120,000, effectively putting Semerenko all-in. After a couple of minutes of thinking time, Semerenko decided to not put his tournament life at risk, letting his hand go.

After a quick start inside the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, the field has already been whittled down to just 45 players from the starting field of 58.

Anthony Gabitan opened from early position with Dongjae Kim calling from the small blind, and Adrian Lutia defending from the big blind.

On a flop of J♦ 9♦ 8♥ , Dongjae Kim decided to lead out for 20,000, which was called by both Lutia and Gabitan.

The 2♦ on the turn brought in the flush, but this didn't slow Kim down as he continued with a bet of 35,000, leaving himself with around 55,000 behind. This was enough for Kim to make both of his opponents fold and he took down a nice pot early on day 2.

Haewon Jun limped on from the small blind and Thanachai Piyanarapohn checked from the big blind to take it into the streets.

The flop came J♠ T♥ 3♥ and Jun check-called after a bet of 8,000 from Piyanarapohn. The A♠ dropped on the turn, and both players checked to see the K♠ land on the river. After thinking for a while, Jun checked to Piyanarapohn, who checked back.

Jun quickly revealed two pair with K♥ 3♠ , leaving Piyanarapohn no choice but to send his cards into the muck.

John Matsuda opened the cutoff to 16,000 and Tomoki Nozawa defended from the big blind

Both saw a flop of T♠ 3♦ T♣ and Nozawa checked it to Matsuda, who continued for 21,000. Nozawa dropped in the call.

The 3♦ came on the turn, where the action went check-check. The river brought the A♥ and Nozawa fired out 35,000. This was enough to make Matusda muck his hand and relinquish the pot to Nozawa

Cards are in the air for Day 2 of the Philippines National Cup.

Fifty-eight players have taken their seats, each eyeing a coveted spot at the final table and a shot at the PHP 797,765 (~USD 13,700) top prize.

The refreshing air fills the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria for Day 2 of the Philippines National Cup, which kicks off at 11:15 am local time. Beginning with 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 big blind ante, the hopefuls will compete for a slice of the prize pool of PHP 4,034,765 (~USD 69,326) until a champion is crowned.

A total of 652 entries were recorded across three Day 1 flights. Only 58 survivors advanced to Day 2 and made it into the money. Each player now has their sights set on the trophy and the top prize of PHP 797,765 (~USD 13,700).

Singapore's Dalvin Carvalho sits at the top with a towering stack of 601,000, the only player surpassing 600,000 mark heading into the final day. Close behind are Nattawut Kwunsong (530,000), Zhi Xiang Png (508,000), Kenta Takahashi (478,000), Cheng Yen Lo (442,000), and Katsuyuki Kondo (407,000), who all have healthy stacks to begin Day 2.