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♦ .

Jessie Leonarez opened mid position and called an 8,500 three bet from Benhur Ybarsabal on the button.

On board 3♠ 7♥ 9♣ J♥ 6♣ , Leonarez check called all three streets - 4,500, 18,000, and a final all-in for 23,000 from Ybarsabal, and sent his opponent out with a pair of nines Q♦ 9♦ as Ybarsabal revealed ace-high A♣ K♥ .