Alexander Keating
Day 1 of the PHP 15,000,000 GTD Zodiac Classic - Sponsored By Natural8 has concluded. With a buy-in of PHP 125,000, this highly anticipated event saw 226 entries (157 unique) today, bringing the total prize pool to PHP 24,662,250 (~USD 419,260), easily crushing the guarantee. Out of the 63 players surviving the thirteen 40-minute levels, 31 players will make it into the money.
The USA's Alexander Keating finished the day on top of the chip count leaderboard, bagging 388,100. He will look to continue the amazing run he is having here at APT Manila, already having won two titles, in Event #32 High Roller Double Stack, and Event #52 Single Day High Roller. In total, he has already cashed for over PHP 3,500,000 (USD 60,000) in this series.
Following him closely in chips is Korea's Kim Kiyoung with 377,400. In the (almost) last hand of the day, he took more than 100,000 chips from Paulius Plausinaitis, which catapulted him into second place after Day 1, and will find himself in a great starting position for the final day.
Trong Ngo
Trong Ngo also has a successful day on the felt and he could be seen battling in many pots today, always putting pressure on his opponents. His aggressive play style certainly helped to accumulate 352,400 chips.
Another player to be reckoned with on the final day will be Daniel Neilson, who will be trying to finish his fantastic 2024 in style with a title here at APT Manila. Neilson will be returning with 325,400 chips.
Other notable players to make it through the day are Abraham Ceesvin (208,600), who finished 2nd last month in the APT Taiwan Main Event, Japan's Jun Obara (205,000), the Philippines William Ysmael (148,700), Moses Saquing (106,000), and Canada's Benjamin Leblond (43,800).
Korea's Youngshin Im is the only woman to secure a spot for the final day and will start with 86,000, which equals to almost 30 big-blinds, with players coming back to Level 14 - 1,500/3,000 with a 3,000 big-blind ante.
Youngshin Im
Below can be found the top ten chip stacks. The full survivor list can be found here
And here are the final table payouts, with full payouts to be found here.
Join us for the Final Day which will kick off at 11:15am on Tuesday, Nov 5. Live updates will be posted here.