Mike Takayama captures Asia Poker Championship title and Php 6,000,000 (~US$ 113,230) top prize

Local and international tournament poker players have been greatly partaking in Manila, Philippines’ back-to-back live action the past few weeks with Covid-19 health regulations in the clear. Following PokerStars’ Asia Pacific Poker Tour in Okada Manila, Metro Card Club’s Asia Poker Championship held a prime spot on everyone’s schedule as its Main Event boasted a Php 20,000,000 (~US$ 378,600) guaranteed prize pool.

The week-long series ran from June 6 through 12 with Metro’s own Team Pro member Mike Takayama locking away the biggest payout of the season. Takayama bagged a whopping Php 6,000,000 (~US$ 113,230) in winnings in addition to the title after outlasting the 544-entry field. The local pro has been running hot across the tournament scene, having come from a runner-up finish in last week’s APPT festival for Php 1,964,600 (~US$ 36,840). To date, Takayama’s total live earnings has surpassed the $2 million mark with his best cash remaining to be a World Series of Poker win back in June 2018 amounting to ​​$198,568.

This month’s Main Event drew in a total of 544 entries across its five starting flights which was just enough to smash the guarantee and generate a Php 21,107,200 (~US$ 398,324) prize pool. Dubbed as the country’s largest poker room, Metro Card Club is known for its top heavy payouts, well-organized events and good structure overall. However, more than that, the card room’s partnership with Korean Mind Game Members (KMGM) brought in hundreds of Korean nationals joining in on the festivities for a truly international-level affair.

The final table of the recently concluded APC Main Event featured highly decorated players and seasoned pros including APT champion Moses Saquing, RVS champion Richard Marquez, and Day 2 chip leader Clyde Troy Morales. Takayama carried the chip lead to start the final day as the only contender with over 4 million in chips. The bracelet-winner cruised his way to the top after eliminating two players on the last level of Day 3. All players were guaranteed a minimum payout of Php 400,000 to begin with the first casualty being Moses Saquing recorded after nearly three hours of play.

With the heftiest stack on the table, Takayama used this greatly to his advantage, successfully knocking out all but one of his seven opponents. Six digit pay jumps and a skilled tournament pro leading the pack, it appeared as though the rest of the players were left with little room to maneuver their way to the trophy. By the sixth hour in, the heads up battle was set with Takayama holding a 4:1 chip advantage against Edgar Asehan Jr. in which he eventually secured the victory after trapping Asehan with a better Ace. Asehan brought an impressive fight and bagged a notable Php 3,377,200 (US$ 63,325) payout for his runner-up finish.

Dates: June 6-12, 2022
Buy-in: Php 44,000 (~US$ 833)
Guarantee: Php 20,000,000 (~US$ 378,600)
Entries: 544
Prize pool: Php 21,107,200 (~US$ 398,324)
ITM: 54 places

APC Main Event Final Table Results

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9urI58QHIE