Joseph Cheong

Joseph Cheong has made APT history yet again, becoming the first-ever two-time champion of the Superstar Challenge. Cheong started Day 2 with a commanding chip lead and turned it into an emphatic victory, capturing the PHP 8,002,500 (~$136,040) top prize in style.

The day began with fireworks as Cheong wasted no time, eliminating Mike Takayama in the very first hand. After that, he held his ground, playing with patience and precision before finally conquering Vamerdino Magsakay in a short heads-up battle to secure the title.

Already at the top of the APT All-Time Money List, Cheong’s win further extends his APT earnings to over $1.8 million, putting him within striking distance of the $2 million milestone. This cash also edges Cheong closer to $19 million in total live earnings, proving once again why he is one of the best players in the world.

The elusive Black Lion Silhouette trophy, awarded only four times in APT history, is set to return to Cheong's collection, where it will proudly stand alongside the one he earned by conquering the Superstar Challenge at APT Jeju earlier this year.

Final Table Results

Cheong entered the day with a massive chip lead, holding nearly four times the stack of his closest rival, Magsakay. Right out of the gate, the action kicked off with fireworks as Takayama shoved with queen-nine and was put at risk by Cheong’s ace-seven. The board favored the eventual champion, who flopped two pair to leave Takayama drawing thin. With that, Takayama’s run ended in third, earning him a well-deserved PHP 3,335,000 (~$56,695) for his podium finish.

Mike Takayama

As heads-up play began, Cheong held a dominant five-to-one chip advantage over Magsakay, putting him in prime position to close it out quickly. Early in the match, both players found themselves all-in holding king-queen, but with Cheong’s suited hand, he had a slight edge. Yet, the board ran out clean with no surprises, allowing Magsakay to survive — for the moment, and the battle continued.

As play went on, Cheong got a little frisky with seven-deuce and made a triple-barrel bluff against Magsakay, who eventually relented and folded his flopped pair of kings.

Magsakay’s comeback hopes got a much-needed boost on Hand #35 when his king-seven held strong against Cheong’s ten-four, closing the chip gap to around three-to-one. This crucial win breathed new life into Magsakay’s run, keeping him in contention as he battled to turn the tables on the formidable Cheong.

Vamerdino Magsakay

However, that momentum was brought to an abrupt halt on the final hand of the tournament, as Magsakay shoved with nine-seven and was dominated by the king-nine of Cheong. Both players flopped a pair, but Cheong's hand held up, which meant Magsakay had to settle for second and the PHP 5,335,000 (~$90,695) pay packet.

For the second time, Cheong emerged as the last man standing in the Superstar Challenge, etching his name in the APT history books once more. This repeat victory not only cements his legacy, but also solidifies his status as a force to be reckoned with in APT’s elite ranks.

Joseph Cheong celebrates with friends

Joseph Cheong

Joseph Cheong becomes the first-ever person to win the APT Superstar Challenge twice, and takes home the PHP 8,002,500 (~$136,040) top prize.

A full recap of the day's action will follow shortly.

Vamerdino Magsakay

Hand 46

Vamerdino Magsakay made it 425,000 and Joseph Cheong shoved. Magsakay called off his remaining few chips.

Vamerdino Magsakay: 9 7

Joseph Cheong: K 9

Cheong had his man right where he wanted him, and was a runout away from clinching the title. The flop of 7 5 K gave both players a pair, but it was Cheong who still held the lead.

A 5 on the turn was no help to Magsakay, who only had two outs to survive, but he couldn't find either of them as the 4 completed the runout, which meant Magsakay was eliminated in second.

Hand 44 Vamerdino Magsakay committed his stack with A 9 and Joseph Cheong folded K 2 .

Hand 45 Cheong shoved with Q T and won the pot.

Hand 39 Joseph Cheong shoved with K 9 and Vamerdino Magsakay folded

Hand 40 Magsakay picked up 2 2 and made a big raise, which got Cheong to fold.

Hand 41 Cheong shoved with 7 7 and Magsakay debated with K 4 before he folded.

Hand 42 Magsakay limped in with 7 5 and Cheong checked J 5 . On the Q 2 Q flop, which both checked to the A turn where Cheong check-called a bet of 40,000 from Magsakay. On the 8 river, both checked and Cheong took it down with jack-high.

Hand 43 Cheong limped with 6 4 and Magsakay shoved with 3 3 . Cheong folded.

Hand 36 Vamerdino Magsakay limped in with A 5 and Joseph Cheong called with A 6 . They went to a flop of 2 4 9 where Cheong check-called a bet of 40,000 from Magsakay.

A K fell on the turn, which both players checked to the J river, which again checked through. Cheong took it down with his flopped flush.

Hand 37 Cheong looked down at 4 3 and raised to 80,000, and Magsakay called with 9 6 . They went to a flop of 7 9 K where Magsakay check-called a bet of 40,000 from Cheong.

When the J fell on the turn, both checked to see the Q river. Magsakay checked, and Cheong bet 80,000. Magsakay took his time before he folded his nine.

Hand 38 Magsakay shoved with Q T and won the pot.

Vamerdino Magsakay

Hand 35 Joseph Cheong shoved from the button and Vamerdino Magsakay called for his stack of 365,000.

Vamerdino Magsakay: K 7

Joseph Cheong: T 4

Magsakay desperately needed to double up, and got off to a good start on the K A 8 flop, as he paired his king. Cheong needed to find some help, but was drawing dead by the time the 2 dropped on the turn. The 4 filled out the board, and Magsakay doubled up.

Hand 33 Joseph Cheong shoved with A 6 and Vamerdino Magsakay folded .

Hand 34 Magsakay looked down at A 4 and committed his stack. Cheong folded.

Joseph Cheong

Hand 29 Joseph Cheong raised to 60,000 with A J and Vamerdino Magsakay called with 9 6 . On the A 7 3 flop, Cheong took it down with a bet.

Hand 30 Magsakay looked down with K 9 and limped in, and Cheong made it 80,000 with 7 2 . Magsakay called to see the Q K A flop. Cheong fired 60,000, and Magsakay called.

The turn brought a 4 and Cheong continued to bluff with a bet of 100,000, Magsakay called. An 8 dropped on the river and Cheong shoved, which put Magsakay to the test for his last 315,000. Eventually, Magsakay laid it down.

Hand 31 Cheong limped in with 7 3 and Magsakay committed his stack with K 5 . Cheong folded.

Hand 32 Magsakay shoved with A 4 and took down the pot.

Vamerdino Magsakay

Hand 24 Vamerdino Magsakay looked down Q 8 on the button and limped in, then Joseph Cheong checked 7 :6s to see the flop of A 5 5 , which both checked. The 2 came on the turn and again both checked to the 7 river, where Cheong fired a small bet of 30,000 with his pair of sevens, and Magsakay called with queen-high.

Hand 25 Cheong opened the button with A 8 to 60,000 and Magsakay called with T 7 to see the 9 K 9 flop. Magsakay check-folded to a bet from Cheong.

Hand 26 Magsakay looked down at T 8 and limped in, then Cheong raised. Magsakay folded.

Hand 27 Cheong limped in with 8 7 and Magsakay checked 8 5 . Both checked the Q 5 2 to see the A drop on the turn. Magsakay check-called a bet of 45,000 from Cheong to see the Q river, where both players checked and Magsakay took it down with his pair.

Hand 28 Magsakay limped in with K 3 and Cheong checked 5 4 to the 6 Q 5 flop, which both checked. The turn brought a 9 , which again checked through to the K river. Magsakay bet 75,000, and Cheong called. Magsakay took it down with his king.