Mendoza Bags Lead in New Ultra Stack Event; Top Stacks Include Some of Philippines' Best

Mendoza Bags Lead in New Ultra Stack Event; Top Stacks Include Some of Philippines' Best

Mendoza Bags Lead in New Ultra Stack Event; Top Stacks Include Some of Philippines' Best

posted by Matthew Ooi

APT MANILA CLASSIC 2025 SCHEDULE| OFFICIAL RESULTS | PLAYER LISTS | IMAGES | WINNERS

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 10, 2025– The Event #32: High Roller – Ultra Stack has wrapped up its opening day with local pro James Mendoza leading the final contenders with 1,678,000 chips. A new addition to the APT circuit, this two-day event attracted 122 entries (97 unique), with each player starting with a massive 200,000 chip stack.

Mendoza holds the top spot heading into the final day, but fellow Filipino pro John Tech remains in contention with 1,000,000 chips, continuing what has been an exceptional series for Tech. Scott Margereson, who finished fourth in the APT Super High Roller, has also navigated his way into the later stages, bagging 1,080,000 chips as he looks for another strong finish.

Meanwhile, Lester Edoc, a well-established poker figure in the country and second on the Philippines' all-time money list, is still in the mix with 994,000 chips, positioning himself well for a title chase.

With 32 survivors vying for 17 money-making spots, here are the top chipstacks going into Day 2:

HIGH ROLLER - ULTRA STACK TOP CHIP COUNTS

PlaceNameCountryChips
1stJames MendozaPhilippines1,678,000
2ndBeng Hong KerSingapore1,457,000
3rdAbraham Abdulla CeesvinSingapore1,276,000
4thKei TakazawaJapan1,236,000
5thScott MargeresonUnited Kingdom1,080,000
6thJohn TechPhilippines1,000,000
7thAndrija RobovicSerbia995,000
8thLester EdocPhilippines994,000
9thSomasekhar SanampuriIndia901,000

For Event #32: High Roller - Ultra Stack Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #32: High Roller - Ultra Stack Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #32: High Roller - Ultra Stack tournament page

Costiniano Triumphs in Record-Breaking Event #30: NL Hold'em - Freezeout

Event #30 NL Hold'em - Freezeout John Niko Costiniano 2.jpg

Costiniano victorious for his second APT title

Local pro John Niko Costiniano secured his second APT title in Event #30: NL Hold'em - Freezeout. The event drew a record-breaking 138 entries, setting new in-country records for field size, prize pool, and first-place payout. Costiniano walked away with PHP 854,960 (~USD 14,534), further adding to his live winnings of over USD300,000.

Finishing second was Thailand’s Sakunchai Keng-Anantanon, who claimed PHP 583,000 (~USD 9,911). Taking third place was Hong Kong’s King Chun Horace Leung, earning PHP 385,000 (~USD 6,545).

20 players cashed, with the final table payouts as follows:

NL HOLD'EM - FREEZEOUT FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stJohn Niko CostinianoPhilippinesPHP 854,960 (~USD 14,534)
2ndSakunchai Keng-AnantanonThailandPHP 583,000 (~USD 9,911)
3rdKing Chun Horace LeungHong KongPHP 385,000 (~USD 6,545)
4thHyunwoo JinSouth KoreaPHP 318,000 (~USD 5,406)
5thYoshihiro ShumiyaJapanPHP 255,000 (~USD 4,335)
6thSeiha HarukiJapanPHP 200,000 (~USD 3,400)
7thYuki KawamotoJapanPHP 150,000 (~USD 2,550)
8thTopi Johannes PaleniusFinlandPHP 98,500 (~USD 1,674)
9thMasataka FukusawaJapanPHP 98,500 (~USD 1,674)

For Event #30: NL Hold'em - Freezeout Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #30: NL Hold'em - Freezeout Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #30: NL Hold'em - Freezeout tournament page

Event #31: John Charles Caridad Wins Event #31: Omaha Masters - PL Omaha High

Event #31 Omaha Masters - PL Omaha High John Charles Caridad 4.jpg

Experienced Caridad takes home his first APT title

Spanish poker veteran John Charles Caridad claimed victory in Event #31: Omaha Masters - PL Omaha High, outlasting a 46-entry field (31 unique players). Caridad, who has amassed over USD 600,000 in live earnings, showed experience pays en route to capturing the title and PHP 810,640 (~USD 13,848).

Finishing as the runner-up was the Philippines’ Moses Saquing, who took home** PHP 560,000 (~USD 9,520)** after making several deep runs in Omaha events this series. Rounding out the top three was Ireland’s Liam O’Donoghue, who earned PHP 358,000 (~USD 6,120).

Six players were paid, with the final table results as follows:

OMAHA MASTERS - PL OMAHA HIGH FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stJohn Charles CaridadSpainPHP 810,640 (~USD 13,849)
2ndMoses SaquingPhilippinesPHP 560,000 (~USD 9,520)
3rdLiam O'DonoghueIrelandPHP 358,000 (~USD 6,120)
4thEuryd RiveraPhilippinesPHP 274,000 (~USD 4,590)
5thMarcus TanSingaporePHP 215,000 (~USD 3,570)
6thJarryd GodenaAustraliaPHP 167,000 (~USD 2,890)

For Event #31: Omaha Masters - PL Omaha High Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #31: Omaha Masters - PL Omaha High Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #31: Omaha Masters - PL Omaha High tournament page

Liu Captures First APT Title in Event #33: Limit Razzdugi

Event #33 Limit Razzdugi Yao Liu 5.jpg

Liu takes home his first APT title in a mixed game

China’s Yao Liu secured his first APT title in Event #33: Limit Razzdugi. Liu beat out a competitive field of 39 entries (36 unique) to claim the top prize of PHP 146,366 (~USD 2,488).

Australia’s Rex Hunt Ai continued his strong series with yet another final table appearance, finishing as the runner-up with PHP 101,000 (~USD 1,717). Fellow Australian Mark Furniss rounded out the podium, taking third place with PHP 64,000 (~USD 1,088), as he remains in pursuit of his first title in this series.

Five players were paid, with the final table results as follows:

LIMIT RAZZDUGI FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stYao LiuChinaPHP 146,366 (~USD 2,488)
2ndRex Hunt AiAustraliaPHP 101,000 (~USD 1,717)
3rdFurniss MarkAustraliaPHP 64,000 (~USD 1,088)
4thYu Tang WangTaiwanPHP 46,000 (~USD 782)
5thJun WengChinaPHP 38,000 (~USD 646)

For Event #33: Limit Razzdugi Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #33: Limit Razzdugi Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #33: Limit Razzdugi tournament page

Park Wins First APT Title in Event #34: Women's Event

Event #34 Women's Event Sunhye Park 2.jpg

Park adds an APT title to her poker achievments

South Korea’s Sunhye Park has captured her first APT title, outlasting a field of 38 entries (28 unique) in Event #34: Women's Event. She claimed the top prize of PHP 142,228 (~USD 2,417).

In second place, fellow South Korean Mijung Son finished just short of the title, taking home PHP 98,000 (~USD 1,666). While Ayaka “yuina2780” Iwasa from Japan secured the third-place finish, earning PHP 63,000 (~USD 1,071).

Five players were paid, with the final table results as follows:

WOMEN'S EVENT FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stSunhye ParkSouth KoreaPHP 142,228 (~USD 2,417)
2ndMijung SonSouth KoreaPHP 98,000 (~USD 1,666)
3rdAyaka “yuina2780” IwasaJapanPHP 63,000 (~USD 1,071)
4thMisa OsakiJapanPHP 45,000 (~USD 765)
5thHiulam WongHong KongPHP 37,000 (~USD 629)

For Event #34: Women's Event Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #34: Women's Event Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #34: Women's Event tournament page

Chotvijit Claims First APT Title in Event #35: Turbo - Double Stack

Event #35 Turbo - Double Stack Sirisilp Chotvijit 4.jpg

Chotvijit claims his first APT title

Thailand’s Sirisilp "kwangabnormal" Chotvijit has secured his first APT title, conquering a field of 101 entries (91 unique) in Event #35: Turbo - Double Stack. The famous Thai musician takes home PHP 441,888 (~USD 7,512).

In second place, Mongolia’s Battulga Ganbold fought hard but fell just short of the title, earning PHP 304,000 (~USD 5,168). Taking third place, Thailand’s Nontapat Wattana pocketed PHP 199,000 (~USD 3,383).

15 players were paid, with the final table payouts as follows:

TURBO - DOUBLE STACK FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stSirisilp ChotvijitThailandPHP 441,888 (~USD 7,512)
2ndBattulga GanboldMongoliaPHP 304,000 (~USD 5,168)
3rdNontapat WattanaThailandPHP 199,000 (~USD 3,383)
4thMirko StojkovAustraliaPHP 161,000 (~USD 2,737)
5thJaejoong KimSouth KoreaPHP 130,000 (~USD 2,210)
6thApisit AnanThailandPHP 102,000 (~USD 1,734)
7thVytautas LaurinaitisLithuaniaPHP 80,000 (~USD 1,360)
8thRyusei TakaokaJapanPHP 61,000 (~USD 1,037)
9thStephen Andrew FreestoneUnited KingdomPHP 45,000 (~USD 765)

For Event #35: Turbo - Double Stack Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #35: Turbo - Double Stack Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #35: Turbo - Double Stack tournament page

Tan Wins Fourth APT Title in Event #37: Turbo - NL Triple Draw Mix

Event #37 Turbo - NL Triple Draw Mix Chuning Tan 2.jpg

Tan kicks off his series with his fourth APT title in a mixed game

China’s Chuning Tan has added another trophy to his growing collection, securing his fourth APT title in Event #37: Turbo - NL Triple Draw Mix. The mixed game specialist navigated through a 28-entry (21 unique) field, earning the top prize of PHP 105,852 (~USD 1,765).

Japan’s Katsunori Nakamura came close but had to settle for second place, pocketing PHP 70,000 (~USD 1,190). Rounding off the podium was Kin Tung Chan from Hong Kong, taking home PHP 46,000 (~USD 850).

Five players were paid, with the final table results as follows:

TURBO - NL TRIPLE DRAW MIX (A-5, 2-7) FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stChuning TanChinaPHP 105,852 (~USD 1,765)
2ndKatsunori NakamuraJapanPHP 70,000 (~USD 1,190)
3rdKin Tung ChanHong KongPHP 46,000 (~USD 850)
4thLi Ta HsuTaiwanPHP 33,000 (~USD 510)
5thTakara NishimuraJapanPHP 27,000 (~USD 510)

For Event #37: Turbo - NL Triple Draw Mix (A-5, 2-7) Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #37: Turbo - NL Triple Draw Mix (A-5, 2-7) Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #37: Turbo - NL Triple Draw Mix (A-5, 2-7) tournament page

Matthew Belcher Wins First APT Title in Event #38: Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em

Event #38 Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em Matthew Belcher 2.jpg

British pro Belcher finally gets hold of his first APT title

The United Kingdom’s Matthew Belcher has secured his first APT title, outlasting 31 entries (25 unique) in Event #38: Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em. The British pro, with over USD 400,000 in live earnings, was imperious in the fast-paced format to claim PHP 176,755 (~USD 3,004). En route to victory, Belcher’s KQQs knocked out Natural8 ambassador and Thai pro Punnat Punsri’s JT9s for the chiplead, propelling him to the title.

Meanwhile, Thomas Anthony Teresi III from the United States came in second, and took home PHP 122,000 (~USD 2,074). Bringing up the podium was Junghyun An from South Korea, who earned PHP 77,000 (~USD 1,309).

Five players were paid, with the final table results as follows:

HYPER TURBO - SUPER HOLD'EM FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stMatthew Paul BelcherUnited KingdomPHP 176,755 (~USD 3,004)
2ndThomas Anthony Teresi IIIUSAPHP 122,000 (~USD 2,074)
3rdJunghyun AnSouth KoreaPHP 77,000 (~USD 1,309)
4thWisinee TanpichaiThailandPHP 56,000 (~USD 952)
5thJansen TiuPhilippinesPHP 45,000 (~USD 765)

For Event #38: Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #38: Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #38: Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em tournament page

Kim Wins First APT Title in Event #39: Super Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em

Event #39 Super Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em Junyoung Kim 3.JPG

Kim has seen great results in recent times, and now takes home his first APT title

South Korea’s Junyoung Kim secured his first APT title in Event #39: Super Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em. The rising talent bested a 49-entry (39 unique) field to claim the top prize of PHP 128,323 (~USD 2,181).

King Chun Horace Leung from Hong Kong put up a strong fight but ultimately settled for second place, earning PHP 80,000 (~USD 1,360). Meanwhile, fellow South Korean Sung Joong Yun rounded off the podium with a third-place finish, taking home PHP 50,000 (~USD 850).

Seven runners were paid, with the final table payouts as follows:

SUPER HYPER TURBO - SUPER HOLD'EM FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stJunyoung KimSouth KoreaPHP 116,323 (~USD 2,181)
2ndKing Chun Horace LeungHong KongPHP 84,000 (~USD 1,360)
3rdSung Joong YunSouth KoreaPHP 53,000 (~USD 850)
4thKaito MoriJapanPHP 41,000 (~USD 680)
5thShun YamauchiJapanPHP 21,000 (~USD 510)
6thCheng Yen LoTaiwanPHP 24,000 (~USD 340)
7thKippei OkazakiJapanPHP 19,000 (~USD 340)

For Event #39: Super Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #39: Super Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #39: Super Hyper Turbo - Super Hold'em tournament page

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