Philippines National Cup (12,000 PHP)

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.

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.

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!