Philippines National Cup (12,000 PHP)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 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.