Nopparut Piyatassakorn

On the penultimate day of the 2025 APT Manila Classic, Day 1 of the APT High Roller wrapped up with 127 entries (90 unique) building a PHP 21,945,600 (~$380,370) prize pool. After an intense day on the felt, only 35 players remain, each vying for the prestigious Bronze Lion Trophy and the PHP 5,360,600 (~$92,107) top prize. However, before they can dream of victory, they must first survive the money bubble, with only 17 spots guaranteeing a payout.

Thailand’s Nopparut Piyatassakorn ended the night as the chip leader, bagging an impressive 990,000 chips. The Thai grinder is in prime position to claim his first APT title, and he’ll be eager to build on his career-best score—a third-place finish at APT Hanoi Billions 2023 for $84,661.

Scott Margereson

Not far behind is the UK's Scott Margereson, who stacked up 774,000 chips. Margereson has been a force in the High Roller events at this festival, having already reached two final tables—finishing 4th in the APT Super High Roller and 7th in the High Roller - Superstack. Leon Sturm from Germany rounds out the top three with 758,000 chips.

Several notable names navigated their way through the tough Day 1 field, including top Filipino pros John Matsuda (518,000), Florencio Campomanes (478,000), William Ysmael (119,000), and Kim Enriquez (112,000).

From the international ranks, two-time APT champion Thanisorn Saelor (467,000) remains in contention, alongside Matthew Belcher (385,000), Vlada Stojanovic (361,000), and Daniel Smilijkovic (187,000).

Top Ten Chip Counts

For a full APT High Roller Survivors List: Click Here.

Final Table Payouts

For a full APT High Roller Payout List: Click Here.

Day 2 resumes Sunday, February 16th, at 11:15 AM local time, with all eyes on the money bubble and the chase for the title. A feature table will be live-streamed across all Asian Poker Tour social media channels, while full live updates from the outer tables will be available here. Stay tuned for all the action as the APT Manila Classic High Roller plays down to a champion!

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Pongsapak Himathongkom

John Matsuda raised to 20,000 from early position and Pongsapak Himathongkom defended the big blind.

Both were treated to a flop of 3 6 7 , but checked it through the turn 4 and the river 4

Himathongkom bet 45,000. Matsuda thought about it and called.

Himathongkom showed K Q while Matsuda showed a better hand of A Q which was good enough to win the pot.

Himathongkom remarked, "Why do you always call?".

Matsuda just smiled.

Daniel Smiljkovic opened to 20,000 and was called by Sung Jin Yun in the cutoff and Jimin Lee in the small blind, sending the players to the flop.

Lee checked the 4 T 6 flop, giving Smiljkovic the chance to continue with an 18,000 bet. Yun responded with a raise to 42,000, and Lee called, while Smiljkovic opted to fold.

Both players checked down the runout of 9 A , keeping the pot controlled.

At showdown, Yun mucked after seeing Lee’s K T for a flopped pair of tens, allowing Lee to scoop the pot with a smile.

Thijs Hilberts

Emilien Pitavy raised to 20,000 from under the gun. Thijs Hilberts called and Zhen Chen defended the big blind. The flop came 4 3 Q

Chen and Pitavy checked to HIlberts who fired 30,000. No one called and Hilberts improved his stack a little bit.

With the last 7 hands announced, players are slowing down to make it to the Final Day of the APT High Roller.

Yohei Kitazato

We arrived at the table on the turn where in a blind versus blind situation Yohei Kitazato bet 65,000 into a pot of around 75,000. He left himself 30,000 behind and the board was Q 6 4 5 . His opponent in the small-blind used a couple of time banks, before deciding on a call.

Yohei Kitazato: 6 5

William Ysmael: A 4

The river was the 7 , giving the Japanese player a full double-up shortly before the end of day 1.

Action was picked up in a three-way all-in on a completed board, with Thanisorn Saelor covering both Kenshiro Koseki and Marc Rivera.

Kenshiro Koseki: 6 6

Marc Rivera: T T

Thanisorn Saelor: A J

Board: J 7 A 4 Q

Saelor flopped two pair and held the lead through the runout, eliminating both opponents in one hand and raking in a significant pot as the day neared its end.

Florencio Campomanes

Action was picked up with Naohiro Matsuda firing a 41,000 bet from late position and Florencio Campomanes responding with a raise to 191,000 on a board of 3 Q 9 K .

Matsuda took his time, tossing in two time bank cards before ultimately moving all-in. Campomanes snap-called for his tournament life.

Florencio Campomanes: J T

Naohiro Matsuda: K Q

Matsuda had turned two pair, but Campomanes had already completed his straight. The river 4 was a blank, securing Campomanes the massive pot.

Zihao Wang

With only a tiny stack remaining Zihao Wang was automatically all-in, in the big-blind. Andrija Robovic opened from the button and Matthew Belcher went along for the ride, from the small-blind.

The flop was K 9 4 and both players checked with Wang being forced to watch and await the showdown.

The turn was the A and Robovic bet 30,000 into a 20,000 side pot. Belcher made the call and the river brought the K .

On this Belcher went into the tank and after about a minute of thinking time, decided to go all-in. Robovic quickly got out of the way, and the two remaining players tabled their cards.

Zihao Wang: A 4

Matthew Belcher: K 9

"I hate this river" Wang shouted out. Unfortunately, for him, the second king on the river forced him to vacate his seat.

There was around 60,000 in the pot beside a flop that showed 3 2 A

In the hand were small blind Naohiro Matsuda, big blind Leon Sturm and cut-off John Matsuda. Everyone checked to open a 6 on the turn.

N. Matsuda checked his option to Sturm , who bet 50,000. J. Matsuda made the call and N. Matsuda stepped out of the way.

The turn came 6 and both checked.

Sturm showed K 5 for a busted straight and a king-high hand.

Matsuda showed A 9 for a pair of aces.