Another action-packed day unfolded at the 15th Edition of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour – APPT Manila with multiple events once again filling the grand Cove Manila at Okada.
Setting the tone was the Charity Event, featuring the billiards GOAT, Efren “Bata” Reyes, also known as “The Magician.” This truly special moment allowed players and fans to meet the legend, and for some, enjoy the thrill of playing poker alongside him.
Also garnering plenty of attention were the big buy in events – the APPT Super High Roller which resumed with 10 players remaining and the APPT One Million Challenge, the most expensive tournament in the festival roster.
Malaysia’s leading player Michael Soyza and Filipino Vamerdino Magsakay clinched those events while Filipino ace Mike Takayama finished runner-up at both. Amazingly, these were Takayama’s fifth and sixth final tables this series. Here are the highlights.
APPT Manila – Super High Roller Events
Michael Soyza Wins The APPT Super High Roller
One of Malaysia’s most highly revered player Michael Soyza added another victory to his immense portfolio after rising above the 38-entry star-studded field of the APPT Super High Roller. At heads up, Soyza kept the hot running Mike Takayama at bay to hoist the APPT shard trophy and collect PHP 6,168,100 (~USD 105,564), the largest first prize of the festival to date.
Read up on the action via the LIVE UPDATES.
Event Recap
Kicking off with 10 players, it opened Gary Thompson in command. Within minutes, Marc Rivera got very lucky with 
against William Teoh‘s 
on a board 
{ts}
.
The final table was formed after short stack Ngo Khoa Anh was eliminated, and was later followed out by Teoh and Quang Huy Nguyen who couldn’t stop their stacks from draining. The bubble burst on short stacked Vamerdino Magsakay who jammed with 
only to run into Thompson’s 
. Despite the loss, Magsakay would make up for it later by taking down the APPT One Million Challenge.
Edgar Asehan couldn’t keep up to lock up the first cash in 6th place, Alfie Poetra joined next with his stack unable to gain leaving the final four, deemed the toughest in the lineup.
Thompson continued to reign until his 
fell flat to Soyza’s then busted shortly after in 4th place also to Soyza. This boost in chips sent the Malaysian pro at par with Rivera while Takayama was looking for a spot to match up.
Soyza began to pull away claiming consecutive pots then built a massive lead after finishing off Rivera in 3rd place with 
out-kicking 
on a board 
. Rivera shoved the flop.
Heads up was lopsided with Soyza nearly 4:1 in chips. Soyza closed it out with 
two pair over 
on a board 
.
Date: August 1, 2024
Buy in: PHP 500,000 (~USD 8,665)
Entries: 38
Prize pool: PHP 17,877,100 (USD 306,125)
ITM: 6 places
| Place | Player | Flag | Payout in PHP | Payout In USD |
| 1 | Michael Soyza | Malaysia | 6,168,100 | 105,564 |
| 2 | Mike Takayama | Philippines | 4,022,000 | 68,835 |
| 3 | Marc Rivera | Philippines | 2,771,000 | 47,424 |
| 4 | Gary Thompson | Ireland | 2,056,000 | 35,187 |
| 5 | Alfie Poetra | USA | 1,609,000 | 27,537 |
| 6 | Edgar Asehan | Philippines | 1,251,000 | 21,410 |
Vamerdino Magsakay Redeemed at APPT One Million Challenge
The APPT One Million Challenge, the most expensive tournament in the roster got off to a late start taking three hours before it kicked off. The jaw-dropping PHP 1,000,000 (~USD 17,160) price tag drew 10 entries for a pot of PHP 9,409,000 (~USD 161,420).
Leading up to the bubble round, Michael Soyza and Mike Takayama held command. Soyza dropped to half stack after losing a flip against William Fasano with 
completing a straight on a board 
to survive 
.
Fasano’s newfound boost however didn’t last with Vamerdino Magsakay barrelling every street on a board 
with Fasano calling 46 bb out of his 48 bb stack. Magsakay opens 
set that dusts Fasano’s 
.
Following that hand was a four-way cooler that opened with Magsakay raising, Takayama three-betting, Soyza all in (19 bb), Fasano all in (1 bb), back to Magsakay all in with the biggest stack, Takayama joining in for 16 bb.
Magasakay 
Takayama
Soyza
Fasano
The board runs 
. Fasano quadruples up with the full house, Takayama ships the bigger side pot for the nut flush, Magsakay wins the smaller side pot, and Soyza is eliminated. Shortly after, Fasano doubles up then loses it all to Magsakay on the bubble.
Magsakay then finishes off hort stacked Mehdi Roqai Chaoui Mehdi in 3rd place with 
holding against .
Heads up opens with Magsakay ahead of Takayama nearly 2:1. Takayama quickly doubles up and takes the lead with 
spiking a pair on a board 
. to survive . Magsakay answers with a double up back to command holding pair over with a five finding the river.
Magsakay closes it out with pair over on a final board 
. Despite the loss for Takayama, he is still the most profitable player with six final tables of which four were 2nd place finishes.
Date: August 1, 2024
Buy in: PHP 1,000,000 (~USD 17,160)
Entries: 10
Prize pool: PHP 9,409,000 (~USD 161,420)
ITM: 3 places
| Place | Player | Flag | Payout in PHP | Payout In USD |
| 1 | Vamerdino Magsakay | Philippines | 4,709,000 | 80,592 |
| 2 | Mike Takayama | Philippines | 2,820,000 | 48,263 |
| 3 | Mehdi Chaoui Roqai | Morocco | 1,880,000 | 32,175 |
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