APL Main Event (65,000 PHP)

The APL Manila Main Event qualifiers are close to wrapping up with four of five flights in the books. Today saw the biggest turnout so far, with a total of 174 entries turning up for the Day 1D games. More than half the field hit the rails, leaving only 67 players advancing onto the next round.

South Koreans dominated the scene from start to finish and saw the top four ranks taken by the international contenders. Jongwon Lee clutched the lead right at the last few deals, having snipped a pot off Seungjun Lee to finish with 242,800 (152 BB). Three more compatriots locked in stacks over the 200K mark with Jaehyuk Kim, Hyeongmin Yu, and Seungjun Lee, ready to kick off Day 2 with a grand start.

South Korea’s Sangwoo Chun raised the bar high in the opening heat and continues to hold the reins, having finished with a staggering 550,400 (344 BB) chip count in Day 1A.

For those who missed to make the cut can still vie for the last flight on offer, currently underway. Late registration remains open until the start of Day 2, tomorrow, March 1st.

APL Manila 2025 Main Event

Dates: February 26 - March 3, 2025

Buy in: PHP 65,000 (~USD 1,120)

Guarantee: PHP 55,000,000 (~USD 1,000,000)

Day 1A: 64 entries, 19 qualified

Day 1B: 135 entries, 44 qualified

Day 1C: 82 entries, 29 qualified

Day 1D: 174 entries, 81 qualified

Day 1E: Friday, February 28

Day 2: Saturday, March 1

Day 3: Sunday, March 2

Final Day: Monday, March 3

Top Ten Chip Counts

Jessie Leonarez opened on the hijack and called an 11,000 three bet from Gangwoo Lee on the big blind.

Action was checked round to turn K♦ 9♦ 2♥ A♥ , where Lee led 13,000. Leonarez called behind, yet gave it up shortly after Lee pulled a final 23,000 on river 5♦ .

Yongsoek Choi opened 3,000 utg, called behind by Gangwoo Lee on the cutoff along with the big blind.

On flop 3♣ T♥ J♥ , Choi continued for 3,000 and saw only Lee stick around to turn K♦ . Choi this time, elected to check call Lee's bet of 6,500, and proceed to tank fold on river 7♠ after Lee finished with a hefty 32,000.

A three way pot saw Jihyun Lee bet 2,500 into a pot of 7,100 on flop 8♣ 2♥ K♠ . Both Chae Yi Chang and Gangwoo Lee made the call, but surrendered after Lee pulled another 7,000 on turn 8♥ .

Manwoo Park opened utg and saw Gangwoo Lee on the big blind complete.

On board 4♥ 2♠ 5♦ K♠ , Park bet both streets - 1,500 and 2,500, with Lee check calling to river J♠ . Park decided to slow down and check back, revealing Lee's pair of deuces A♣ 2♥ , no good against his top pair A♠ K♣ .

Gangwoo Lee opened 1,000 early position, called by Sin Yong Il on the button.

On flop Q♦ 3♥ 4♦ , Il responded to Lee's 700 cbet with a raise to 2,100. Lee was up to the challenge and went on to lead 3,500 on turn 2♦ . Il quickly gave it up, shipping his opponent the pot.

Sin Yong Il raised to 700 following a limp and was called by Inhwan Lee on the button. Gangwoo Lee on the big blind made it 3,000 to go, and saw both Il and Inhwan complete.

On flop A♥ J♣ Q♠ , Gangwoo led for a bet of 3,000 and was met with a raise to 8,000 right behind from Il. Both waved the white flag in surrender, shipping Il the pot straight away.

With action folded to the blinds, Sin Yong Il opened to 400 and Gangwoo Lee called behind.

Il double barreled - 700 and 1,500, on board 5♠ T♥ J♠ 9♥ and saw Lee call down both streets. On river K♣ , Il check called a final 3,500 from his opponent, and mucked as Lee revealed top pair K♥ 7♥ .

Only three-handed, action kicked off with Jarboe Paredes opening 500 utg and Gangwoo Lee with a complete on the big blind.

On board 2♦ 6♥ 9♦ 4♦ , Lee check called two streets - 700 and 1,600, and arrived at showdown for cheap after Paredes checked back river T♥ . Lee showed two pair T♣ 6♣ and claimed the pot.