Wakeman Rises Above in Superstar Challenge; Aussie Pro Beats Out Fellow Superstars for First APT Title

Wakeman Rises Above in Superstar Challenge; Aussie Pro Beats Out Fellow Superstars for First APT Title

Wakeman Rises Above in Superstar Challenge; Aussie Pro Beats Out Fellow Superstars for First APT Title

posted by Matthew Ooi

Results for Side Events: #63, #67, #72-#77, #79-#81

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

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, February 14, 2025– Australian pro Matthew Wakeman showed he is amongst the elite in the APT field after claiming victory in Event #63: Superstar Challenge, clinching his first-ever APT title along with a PHP 12,512,125 (~USD 212,705) payday. The two-day event, featuring the highest buy-in of the APT circuit at PHP 1.5 million, saw 21 of the field's high rollers battle for their share of the PHP 29 million prize pool.

Singapore’s Bao Qiang Ho, who already had a victory in a Single Day High Roller event earlier in the series, continued his strong form, finishing runner-up for PHP 8,342,000 (~USD 141,814). Germany’s Tobias Schwecht, the APT Super High Roller champion, took third place, earning PHP 5,362,000 (~USD 91,154). Meanwhile, Natural8 ambassador and Thai poker superstar Punnat Punsri completed the payouts in fourth place, walking away with PHP 3,575,000 (~USD 60,775).

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

SUPERSTAR CHALLENGE FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stMatthew WakemanAustraliaPHP 12,512,125 (~USD 212,706)
2ndBao Qiang HoSingaporePHP 8,342,000 (~USD 141,814)
3rdTobias SchwechtGermanyPHP 5,362,000 (~USD 91,154)
4thPunnat PunsriThailandPHP 3,575,000 (~USD 60,775)

For Event #63: Superstar Challenge Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #63: Superstar Challenge Results please CLICK HERE

You can follow all the exciting Final Day action as it played out via the APT Blog

All tournament information can be found on the Event #63: Superstar Challenge tournament page

Jung Secures Third APT Title in Event #67: NL Hold'em - Freezeout

Event #67 NL Hold'em - Freezeout Seungmook Jung 3.jpg

Jung claims his third APT title

South Korea’s Seungmook Jung proved once again why he is one to look out for by, capturing his third APT title in Event #67: NL Hold'em - Freezeout. The highly accomplished pro, who boasts over USD 1.6 million in live earnings, outlasted a 96-entry field to take home PHP 653,320 (~USD 11,106).

Thailand’s Nopparut Piyatassakorn made a deep run but ultimately had to settle for second, collecting PHP 458,000 (~USD 7,786). Meanwhile, Russia’s Aleksandr Diudiaev locked up third place, earning PHP 302,000 (~USD 5,134).

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

NL HOLD'EM - FREEZEOUT FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stSeungmook JungSouth KoreaPHP 653,320 (~USD 11,106)
2ndNopparut PiyatassakornThailandPHP 458,000 (~USD 7,786)
3rdAleksandr DiudiaevRussiaPHP 302,000 (~USD 5,134)
4thTsun Hin Barry WongHong KongPHP 238,000 (~USD 4,046)
5thPaul ZehetleitnerAustriaPHP 192,000 (~USD 3,264)
6thGyumock JoSouth KoreaPHP 149,000 (~USD 2,533)
7thYohan ChoiSouth KoreaPHP 118,000 (~USD 2,006)
8thTakumi MondenJapanPHP 92,000 (~USD 1,564)
9thStephen Andrew FreestoneUnited KingdomPHP 70,000 (~USD 1,190)

For Event #67: NL Hold'em - Freezeout Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #67: NL Hold'em - Freezeout Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #67: NL Hold'em - Freezeout tournament page

Watanabe Secures First APT Title in Event #72: NL Hold'em Heads Up

Event #72 NL Hold'em Heads Up (32 Cap) Hajime Watanabe 2.jpg

Watanabe's first APT title comes in the heads up event

Japanese player Hajime Watanabe claimed his first-ever APT title in Event #72: NL Hold'em Heads Up. The 28-entry field, capped at 32 players, featured a single-elimination, best-of-three format. With this victory, Watanabe not only secures PHP 259,800 (~USD 4,416) but also surpasses USD 100,000 in total live earnings.

Singapore’s Collin Ho fell just short in the final match, taking home PHP 163,000 (~USD 2,771) as the runner-up. Meanwhile, Russia’s Vladimir Egorov and Japan’s Daiki Aoki both bowed out in the semi-finals, splitting PHP 91,000 (~USD 1,547) each for third place.

The top four players cashed, with the final table payouts as follows:

NL HOLD'EM HEADS UP (32 CAP) FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stHajime WatanabeJapanPHP 259,800 (~USD 4,416)
2ndCollin HoSingaporePHP 163,000 (~USD 2,771)
3rdVladimir EgorovRussiaPHP 91,000 (~USD 1,547)
4thDaiki AokiJapanPHP 91,000 (~USD 1,547)

For Event #72: NL Hold'em Heads Up (32 Cap) Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #72: NL Hold'em Heads Up (32 Cap) Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #72: NL Hold'em Heads Up (32 Cap) tournament page

Townsend Captures Third APT Title in Event #73: 7 Card Stud Masters

Event #73 7 Card Stud Masters Dale Townsend 1.jpg

Townsend takes his second APT title of the series

Australian Dale Townsend is showing his prowess in mixed games by securing his third APT title and second of the series by taking down Event #73: 7 Card Stud Masters. Townsend beat out a skilled field to claim the PHP 398,440 (~USD 6,773) top prize.

American Timothy Frazin put up a strong fight but ultimately had to settle for second place, earning PHP 265,000 (~USD 4,505). Fellow American mixed-game specialist David Nathaniel Wortham Sr rounded out the podium in third place, taking home PHP 166,000 (~USD 2,822).

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

7 CARD STUD MASTERS FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stDale Andrew TownsendAustraliaPHP 398,440 (~USD 6,773)
2ndTimothy FrazinUnited StatesPHP 265,000 (~USD 4,505)
3rdDavid Nathaniel Wortham SrUnited StatesPHP 166,000 (~USD 2,822)

For Event #73: 7 Card Stud Masters Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #73: 7 Card Stud Masters Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #73: 7 Card Stud Masters tournament page

Kramer Secures First APT Title in Event #74: NL Hold'em / PL Omaha

Event #74 NL Hold'em   PL Omaha Killian Kramer 5.jpg

Kramer proves his versatility by winning his first APT title in the hybrid format event

Germany’s Kilian Kramer made his mark on the APT circuit by winning his first-ever APT title in Event #74: NL Hold'em / PL Omaha. The hybrid format tested players across two poker formats. Kramer proved his versatility and earned himself PHP 326,600 (~USD 5,552).

Hong Kong’s Tsz Chung Yip finished as the runner-up, securing PHP 218,000 (~USD 3,706), while local Terry Gonzaga, who already claimed an Omaha title earlier in the series, added another deep run to his résumé, finishing in third place for PHP 140,000 (~USD 2,380).

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

NL HOLD'EM / PL OMAHA FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stKilian Konrad KramerGermanyPHP 326,600 (~USD 5,552)
2ndTsz Chung YipHong KongPHP 218,000 (~USD 3,706)
3rdTerry GonzagaPhilippinesPHP 140,000 (~USD 2,380)
4thChe-Li LinChinaPHP 93,000 (~USD 1,581)

For Event #74: NL Hold'em / PL Omaha Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #74: NL Hold'em / PL Omaha Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #74: NL Hold'em / PL Omaha tournament page

Natural8 India Ambassador Patni Clinches His Second Title of the Series in Event #75: Single Day High Roller

Event #75 Single Day High Roller Kunal Patni 2.jpg

Patni's dream run continues

India’s Kunal Patni captured his sixth APT title in Event #75: Single Day High Roller. Outlasting 85 entries, the Natural8 India ambassador claimed PHP 3,030,000 (~USD 51,510)—his second title of the series after winning Event #9: Mystery Bounty Hunter. Patni had self-professed that he was on a "dream run" for months now; and he proves it with this victory.

The bubble was burst by Hong Kong pro Sparrow Cheung, who bowed out of the tournament in some of the cruelest ways possible in poker. Cheung, who had a short stack, raised all-in with A A while Patni called with AQo, but eventually folded when the big blind reshoved with K K . The flop showed 2 J A , giving Cheung top set with almost no way out for the big blind. The K on the turn made it a sweat for Cheung and as fate would have it, the case K fell on the river, sending Cheung home with the big blind making runner-runner quads.

Nopparut Piyattassakorn of Thailand fought hard but settled for runner-up honours, earning PHP 2,154,000 (~USD 36,618). Rounding out the podium, Sung Jin Yun of South Korea claimed PHP 1,410,000 (~USD 23,970) for his deep run.

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

SINGLE DAY HIGH ROLLER FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stKunal PatniIndiaPHP 3,030,000 (~USD 51,510)
2ndNopparut PiyattassakornThailandPHP 2,154,000 (~USD 36,618)
3rdSung Jin YunSouth KoreaPHP 1,410,000 (~USD 23,970)
4thJames MendozaPhilippinesPHP 1,085,000 (~USD 18,445)
5thChaoui Roqai MehdiMoroccoPHP 859,000 (~USD 14,603)
6thMinsup SongSouth KoreaPHP 672,000 (~USD 11,424)
7thKei OkudaJapanPHP 529,000 (~USD 8,993)
8thScott MargeresonUnited KingdomPHP 413,000 (~USD 7,021)
9thMartin FingerGermanyPHP 314,000 (~USD 5,338)

For Event #75: Single Day High Roller Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #75: Single Day High Roller Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #75: Single Day High Roller tournament page

Nishioka Clinches First APT Title in Event #76: Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix

Event #76 Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix Yoshitaka Nishioka 3.jpg

Nishioka first APT title comes in a mixed game

Japan’s Yoshitaka Nishioka captured his first-ever APT title in Event #76: Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix. The Japanese amateur outlasted a 23-entry field, walking away with PHP 165,024 (~USD 2,805).

China’s Chuning Tan finished in second place, taking home PHP 110,000 (~USD 1,870), while Kelvin Leung from Hong Kong rounded out the podium, earning PHP 71,000 (~USD 1,207) for third place. Yu Tang Wang, a renowned mixed-game player and multi-time APT champion, settled for fourth, taking** PHP 47,000 (~USD 799)**.

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

LIMIT TRIPLE DRAW - LOWBALL MIX FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stYoshitaka NishiokaJapanPHP 165,024 (~USD 2,805)
2ndChuning TanChinaPHP 110,000 (~USD 1,870)
3rdKelvin LeungHong KongPHP 71,000 (~USD 1,207)
4thYu Tang WangTaiwanPHP 47,000 (~USD 799)

For Event #76: Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #76: Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #76: Limit Triple Draw - Lowball Mix tournament page

Tanpichai Wins Back-to-Back APT Titles with Victory in Event #77: Women's Event

Event #77 Women's Event Wisinee Tanpichai 1.jpg

Tanpichai's series just keeps getting better and better

Thailand’s Wisinee Tanpichai is on an absolute tear this series, capturing her second APT title in as many days with a victory in Event #77: Women's Event. Coming off her win in Event #69: Tick Tock BOOM!, Tanpichai has now secured three cashes and two titles this series.

She walked away with PHP 138,091 (~USD 2,347), while fellow Thai player Titirasm Charoenpukdi put up a solid fight heads up but had to settle for second place, earning PHP 96,000 (~USD 1,632). Ferlyn Cabaling of the Philippines rounded out the podium, taking PHP 61,000 (~USD 1,037) for third place.

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

WOMEN'S EVENT FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stWisinee TanpichaiThailandPHP 138,091 (~USD 2,347)
2ndTitirasmi CharoenpukdiThailandPHP 96,000 (~USD 1,632)
3rdFerlyn CabalingPhilippinesPHP 61,000 (~USD 1,037)
4thTsubasa MendozaPhilippinesPHP 44,000 (~USD 748)
5thSaori TokunagaJapanPHP 36,000 (~USD 612)

For Event #77: Women's Event Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #77: Women's Event Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #77: Women's Event tournament page

Seremet Finally Breaks Through in Event #79: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo 5 Card (Big O) - Bomb Pot

Event #79 Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo 5 Card (Big O) - Bomb Pot Antonio Seremet 4.jpg

Seremet breaks his series duct and takes home his seventh APT title

After multiple final table finishes this series, Antonio Seremet has finally secured his first APT title of the series, taking down Event #79: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo 5 Card (Big O) - Bomb Pot. The Aussie mixed-games pro battled through a field of 51 entries, emerging victorious and pocketing PHP 80,571 (~USD 1,370) for his triumph. This victory also marks his seventh career APT title.

Geoffrey Phillip Tomes of the United States put up a strong challenge but had to settle for runner-up, earning PHP 58,000 (~USD 980). Aleksandr Elizarov from Russia rounded out the podium, taking PHP 37,000 (~USD 630) for his third-place finish.

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

TURBO - PL OMAHA HI-LO 5 CARD (BIG O) - BOMB POT FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stAntonio SeremetAustraliaPHP 80,571 (~USD 1,369)
2ndGeoffrey Phillip TomesUnited StatesPHP 58,000 (~USD 986)
3rdAleksandr ElizarovRussiaPHP 37,000 (~USD 629)
4thRex Hunt AiAustraliaPHP 28,000 (~USD 476)
5thKaga TamHong KongPHP 22,000 (~USD 374)
6thRobert WilliamsCanadaPHP 17,000 (~USD 289)
7thTsz Chung YipHong KongPHP 13,000 (~USD 221)

For Event #79: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo 5 Card (Big O) - Bomb Pot Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #79: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo 5 Card (Big O) - Bomb Pot Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #79: Turbo - PL Omaha Hi-Lo 5 Card (Big O) - Bomb Pot tournament page

Soontanont Secures First APT Title in Event #80: Hyper Turbo - High Roller - Win the Button

Event #80 Hyper Turbo - High Roller - Win the Button Nattawat Soontanont 5.jpg

Soontanont takes home his first APT title

Thailand’s Nattawat Soontanont has claimed his first-ever APT title, conquering Event #80: Hyper Turbo - High Roller - Win the Button. The Thai player outmaneuvered 28 other contenders in the 29-entry field en route to securing the PHP 278,680 (~USD 4,737) top prize.

The runner-up spot went to fellow Thai player Pussacha Nonsing, who secured PHP 192,000 (~USD 3,263) after a strong performance. Joshua Darnel Figuerres of the Philippines rounded out the podium in third place, adding PHP 122,000 (~USD 2,074) to his tournament earnings.

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

HYPER TURBO - HIGH ROLLER - WIN THE BUTTON FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stNattawat SoontanontThailandPHP 278,680 (~USD 4,737)
2ndPussacha NonsingThailandPHP 192,000 (~USD 3,264)
3rdJoshua Darnel FiguerresPhilippinesPHP 122,000 (~USD 2,074)
4thRishi Ashok KaramchandaniIndiaPHP 88,000 (~USD 1,496)
5thMike TakayamaPhilippinesPHP 71,000 (~USD 1,207)

For Event #80: Hyper Turbo - High Roller - Win the Button Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #80: Hyper Turbo - High Roller - Win the Button Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #80: Hyper Turbo - High Roller - Win the Button tournament page

Suzuki Completes Hat-Trick with Victory in Event #81: Super Hyper Turbo

Event #81 Super Hyper Turbo Kohei Suzuki 5.jpg

Suzuki is on a heater this series with a total of three trophies and two cashes to his name

Japan’s Kohei Suzuki has continued his amazing series, clinching his third title of the series in Event #81: Super Hyper Turbo. Outlasting 58 entries, Suzuki took home PHP 130,974 (~USD 2,226), and now has three trophies and two cashes in this series.

Shuzo Sekine, also of Japan, fell just short of the title, securing PHP 95,000 (~USD 1,615) for a strong second-place finish. Rounding out the top three, Oliver Charles Guillame Komarnicki from France claimed PHP 61,000 (~USD 1,037) after a deep run.

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

SUPER HYPER TURBO FINAL TABLE RESULTS

PlaceNameCountryPrize
1stKohei SuzukiJapanPHP 130,974 (~USD 2,226)
2ndShuzo SekineJapanPHP 95,000 (~USD 1,615)
3rdOliver Charles Guillaume KomarnickiFrancePHP 61,000 (~USD 1,037)
4thVic PenaPhilippinesPHP 46,000 (~USD 782)
5thEdward Chun Ho YamHong KongPHP 36,000 (~USD 612)
6thSparrow CheungHong KongPHP 28,000 (~USD 476)
7thKatsuya TamuraJapanPHP 22,000 (~USD 374)
8thGene Jin-I ChanCanadaPHP 17,000 (~USD 289)

For Event #81: Super Hyper Turbo Player List please CLICK HERE

For Event #81: Super Hyper Turbo Results please CLICK HERE

All tournament information can be found on the Event #81: Super Hyper Turbo tournament page

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