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

Raju Jaruplavath raised to 900,000 on the button and Zhi Xiang Png shoved all in for around 1,530,000 in the big blind. Jaruplavath snap-called.

Zhi Xiang Png: A♥ 3♦

Raju Jaruplavath: A♠ J♣

Jaruplavath took the lead with a better kicker and a clean board revealed swiftly 7♣ 2♥ T♥ 7♦ 6♠ , sealing Png’s elimination in second place for a payday of PHP 503,000 (~$8,643).

We are down to our final two players at the 2025 Manila Classic Philippines National Cup. It all looks like Raju Jaruvaplath will take down this tournament, as he is going into the heads-up match with a commanding chip lead.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Zhi Xiang Png made it 22,000 to go from under the gun, and Numata Takahiro re-raised to 50,000 from the big blind. Png dropped in a call.

On the flop of Q♠ J♣ J♥ , Takahiro continued with a bet of 35,000 only to be faced with a chunky raise to 100,000 from Png. After some consideration, Takahiro announced a call. However, Png thought his opponent folded so he revealed Q♣ .

After checking with the floor, the hand continued. The dealer sent an 9♠ on the turn, and the action went check-check. “You already know my card,” said Png. A Q♥ showed on the river, improving Png to a full house. Png shouted “all-in,” before Takahiro folded.

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.