APPT Championship Wraps Up Day 3 With The Final Six Led By Hieu Ngo

The inaugural Pokerstars LIVE APPT Manila Championship concluded its penultimate day with the final six players advancing to the last round of the APPT Championship. Held at the prestigious Okada Manila in the Philippines, the event kicked off on October 23, drawing thrilling action, and will crown a champion on October 27. 

APPT Championship

The first ever APPT Championship drew a stellar turnout of 416 entries each one putting up the PHP 165,000 (~US$ 2,880) buy in. This was the largest Main Event buy in ever staged by PokerStars LIVE Manila. At the end of Day 2, the bubble burst ensuring the remaining 63 players a piece of the PHP 59,922,720 (~US$1,028,270) prize pool.

When the final six players return, they are now assured PHP 2,360,000 (~US$ 40,340) each, and will soon battle for the coveted title and the largest share worth PHP 11,610,000 (~US$ 199,100). The top three finishers will also win an APPT Cambodia package valued at PHP 175,000, which includes a Main Event seat and accommodations.

Leading up to the final six, action in Day 3 was riveting as 28 players returned with each one assured at least PHP 355,000 (~US$ 6,075). John Perry of Australia carried in the chip lead with many notables on his tail. Here are the highlights. 

Read up on the action via the SMP Live Updates.

APPT Championship Day 3

Within the first hour of APPT Championship Day 3 there were a spate of eliminations that included Filipino icon Florencio Campomanes and top Malaysian player Michael Soyza. Within the third hour of play, six players fell by the wayside, among them was Filipino player Darren Yu in 10th place. This signaled in the “unofficial” final table with 9 players remaining. Leading the pack was New Zealander Thomas Ward who got past Perry when his fortuitous 3-bet against the Australian with Ad 2d preflop netted him two pair on a flop of 2♠4♥A♥.

However, during the Final 9 it was Filipino ace William Ysmael who took control to earn his time up top. Despite only needing three players to reach the final six, it took well over two hours. During that time, Perry ran out in 9th place, China’s Xinjing Li in 8th, and local cash game enthusiast Martin Gonzales in 7th place.

On the brighter side, the steady play of unheralded Vietnamese player Hieu Ngo had him finishing the day on top of the leaderboard heading into tomorrow’s final showdown. 

Hieu Ngo Leads Final Six

Closing out the day with a commanding 142 bb, Hieu is in great position to score his first ever APPT title and second series cash. Earlier in the festival, he finished 22nd at the APPT National where he pocketed PHP 237,000 (~US$4,120). 

The rest of the pack are also backed by decent stacks. Running second in chips is famous Taiwanese international campaigner Justin Chu Jen Chu with 98 bb and in third rank is Beum Chun Jun of Korea with 69 bb, Ward with 62 bb, Ysmael with 25 bb, and Lester Edoc with 22 bb. 

The Final Table of the APPT Championship will commence at 12NN (UCt+8) and will be streamed live on the PokerStars Twitch channel.

APPT Championship Final Six

Hieu Ngo (Vietnam) 7,075,000 – Seat 7

As one of Vietnam’s consistent deep runner and high roller, Hieu Ngo (upper left) is on his way to scoring his first ever major and APPT title. He has already cashed at the festival 22nd place finish in the APPT National last Friday for PHP 237,000 (~US$ 4,210) and is headed for his career best. Ngo will be the one to watch being the overall chip leader.

Justin Chi Jen Chu (Taiwan) 4,875,000 – Seat 4

Justin Chi Jen Chu (upper mid)  is one of Taiwan’s leading players and has already amassed over 30 first place finishes in his very busy career that’s highlighted by triumphs in Australia, Korea and his homeland. Chu has cashed twice in this ongoing festival, including a 4th place showing at the APPT Open. If he goes on to win, it will be his biggest haul ever.

Beum Chun Jun (Korea) 3,455,000 – Seat 2

Jun Chun Beum (upper left) is running well at the series and has done fairly well in the country. Beum lists all of his cashes in the Philippines, including three in these proceedings punctuated by a victory at the APPT Turbo event. 

Thomas War (New Zealand) 3,100,000 – Seat 8

Already accumulating over US$1.6 Million in career earnings, this Wellington native Thomas Ward (lower left) has been a fixture in the Asian circuit with victories in Vietnam, Korea, Macau and just recently here when he took down the Mini High Roller event. Ward is currently ranked third in his nation’s poker rankings and did own the chip lead earlier in Day 2. 

William Ysmael (Philippines) 1,250,000 – Seat 3

William Ysmael (lower middle) has been on fire since last year with multiple takedowns in the country. Ysmael recently took down the Main Event of the Manila Megastack 19 and also won the Manila Super Series 17 Main Event just last year, so navigating a deep field is second nature to this Manila native. With seven titles under his belt, Ysmael is also seeking his first six figure (US$) score.

Lester Edoc (Philippines ) 1,075,000 – Seat 6

Currently ranked fourth in the Philippine all-time money list, Lester Edoc (lower right) this Baguio City native has taken down more than 40 career titles and has three six-figure (US$) scores in his career—one of them being a runner-up finish in the APPT Super High Roller event in 2019. Though the shortest stack at the table, Edoc has shown his ability to crawl back into contention and this might just be the tournament to do it. Edoc is on a heater this year with seven titles this year so far. In July, he won the PokerStars Red Dragon event. 

Links:

APPT Championship – Live Updates
APPT Manila Championship – SCHEDULE
APPT Manila Championship – Festival Results
APPT Manila Championship – Photos