Raju Jaruplavath

India’s Raju Jaruplavath successfully claimed the coveted Gold Lion Silhouette Trophy in the PHP 12,000 Philippines National Cup, securing the top prize of PHP 797,765 ($13,707) after a final heads-up duel with Singapore’s Zhi Xiang Png, who finished as the runner-up and took home the runner-up prize of PHP 503,000 ($8,643).

After an intense Day 1 the field of 398 entries, generating a prize pool of PHP 4,034,765 (~$69,326), was whittled down to just 58 survivors. The Indian player maintained his momentum, eliminating four players at the final table to achieve his ultimate goal and take home his first APT Lion Trophy.

Jaruplavath showcased his stellar psychological play with a daring bet without showing hesitation against China's Mingchen Zhang, and managed to rake in a sizable pot with nine-five offsuit.

Philippines National Cup Final Table Results

Flight C frontrunner Katsuyuki Kondo of Japan narrowly missed out on making his maiden APT final table appearance, his tenth place exit at the hands of Thailand's **Sarawoot Ratanatabtim** setting up the nine-handed finale.

It took close to a cagey two hours and three levels of play before the first final table elimination, Thailand's Suprachaicharoen Prachaya losing a pre-flop all-in coin flip with pocket nines against the ace-ten of the Philippines' David Erquiaga who spiked his ace on the runout to send Prachaya to the rail in ninth place for a payout of PHP 75,000 (~$1,289).

Japan's Atsushi Takeuchi followed Prachaya to the rail shortly afterwards, open-shoving with eight-five only to be looked up by Zhang holding pocket threes. It was another coin flip, but unlike Erquiaga, Takeuchi didn’t receive any help sending him to the cash desk to collect PHP 94,000 (~$1,615) for his eighth place finish.

David Erquiaga

The pace of eliminations slowed, and the remaining seven players exchanged chips for over an hour until Erquiaga shoved with pocket tens, unfortunately, the Filipino ran into Zhang’s cowboys to exit in seventh place for PHP 132,000 (~$2,273).

Later that same level with slightly over one big blind, Thailand's Chayathon Wongpipatchai had no choice but to call a raise from compatriot Ratanatabtim, with Jaruplavath also coming along for the ride.

In the three-way hand, both Wongpipatchai and Ratanatabtim improved to top pair with queens; however, Jaruplavath continued his strong run and completed a Broadway straight, to send Wongpipatchai to the rail and take a big bite out of Ratanatabtim's stack. Wongpipatchai took home a payout of PHP 176,000 (~$3,024).

China's Zhang departed in fifth a level later after open-jamming with queen-ten and receiving two callers from the blinds, hoping for a double elimination.

However, small blind Jansen Tiu folded on the flop, leaving Zhang in a heads-up showdown against Jaruplavath’s pocket fives. The board provided no help for either player, and Zhang made his way to the cash desk to collect his reward of PHP 225,000 (~$3,875).

Mingchen Zhang

Ratanatabtim was the next elimination, departing minutes after Zhang; holding nine-eight, the Thai called a towering shove from Tiu, who held a dominating ace-eight. The runout favored Tiu, improving him to a top pair of aces, sending Ratanatabtim to the rail in fourth for PHP 287,000 (~$4,931).

However, Tiu did not get to enjoy his win for long and the Filipino player became embroiled in a raising war with Jaruplavath with all the chips going in pre-flop – Tiu’s ace-jack facing off against Jaruplavath’s pocket sixes. A six on the turn dashed Tiu's chances, giving Jaruplavath a set and bring play heads-up. Tiu collected PHP 361,000 (~$6,217) for his third-place finish.

In the final battle, Png played aggressively for a few hands before moving all-in with ace-three over the top of a Jaruplavath button raise, with the Indian player calling with a superior kicker holding ace-jack. The board did not improve either player, sealing the runner-up position for Png, who took home PHP 503,000 (~$8,643).

Congratulations to Raju Jaruplavath!

Zhi Xiang Png

Raju Jaruplavath raised to 900,000 on the button and Zhi Xiang Png shoved all in for around 1,530,000 in the big blind. Jaruplavath snap-called.

Zhi Xiang Png: A 3

Raju Jaruplavath: A J

Jaruplavath was ahead pre flop with a better kicker and a clean board of 7 2 T 7 6 , sealed Png’s elimination in second place for a payday of PHP 503,000 (~$8,643).

We are down to our final two players at the 2025 Manila Classic Philippines National Cup. It all looks like Raju Jaruvaplath will take down this tournament, as he is going into the heads-up match with a commanding chip lead.

Jansen Tiu

Zhi Png folded on the button and Jansen Tiu completed from the small-blind and the chip leader, Raju Jaruplavath, made it 560,000.

At this point, it was a bit unclear as to whether Tiu wanted to announce a raise, as he seemed like he intended to call. However, Tiu did say "raise" before putting in the calling chips, so the decision of a raise persisted and he had to put in a minimum raise to 940,000. Jaruplavath responded with an all-in, covering Tiu's around 2,000,000 chips, who, at this point, was priced in and threw in his remaining chips.

Jansen Tiu: A J

Raju Jaruplavath: 6 6

The board ran out 8 4 3 6 T , busting Tiu in 3rd place, which made him PHP 361,000 for his great run.

With three players remaining, the action is being played at a lightning pace.

Not long ago, Raju Jaraplavath raised the button to 320,000 and Zhi Png called from the small blind, playing a stack of just over 2,000,000.

Jansen Tiu was in the big blind and shoved for around 2,600,000, which earned him the pot as both of his opponents folded.

Jaruplavath still remains in command with over half of the chips in play.

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim

Jasen Tiu shoved all in on the button for 2,225,000 and Sarawoot Ratanatabtim called off his remaining 600,000.

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim: 9 8

Jansen Tiu: A 8

Tiu was ahead pre flop, and improved to top pair on the flop of 2 7 A , leaving Ratanatabtim a slim chance to win.

A runout revealed 2 4 , ending Ratanatabtim’s tournament run in fourth place for a payday of PHP 287,000 (~$4,931).

Mincheng Zhang

Short-stacked Mingchen Zhang open-jammed his remaining 340,000 from the button and got a chance for a triple-up, as both blinds called.

The flop came down 6 6 3 , and Jansen Tiu, in the small-blind, checked, Raju Jaruplavath put out a bet of 500,000, which was enough to make this a heads-up pot.

Mingchen Zhang: Q T

Raju Jaruplavath: 5 5

The A turn and 8 did not bring any help for Zhang who busted in 5th place, good for PHP 225,000 (~$3,875)

With only 5 players left at the table Jansen Tiu opened to 450,000 from under the gun. Raju Jaruplavath immediately shoved from the cutoff with the chip lead. When the action got back to Tiu, he put his head in his hands.

"Why bro, why?" cried Tiu.

Some time went by and eventually, Tiu tossed his cards face up in the muck, showing Q Q .

"I promise, I had you beat," said Jaruplavath when he saw the cards of his opponent.

"You swear?" replied Tiu.

Jaruplavath didn't reply.

Big, big fold from Tiu!

With only 245,000 remaining, Mingchen Zhang moved all-in from the cut-off and got called by Sarawoot Ratanatabtim in the big blind.

Minchen Zhang: A 9

Sarawoot Ratanatabtim: Q 7

The board did not help either player, as it ran out 6 5 3 3 T , giving Zhang a much-needed double up with ace-high.

The remaining five players are on a 15-minute break.