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

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).

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!

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

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.

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.

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.