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

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.