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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.