Justin Ong Makes Poker History with Two Major APPT Titles in Manila

“It’s one thing to grind cash games, but winning not one, but TWO major tournament titles? That’s next level!” – Justin Ong’s victory at the PokerStars Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila festival proves that sometimes a cash game grinder can come out and dominate the tournament scene too.

At the APPT Manila, Justin Ong switched gears from cash games to tournament play, and the result was nothing short of spectacular. Let’s dive into the thrilling story of his back-to-back triumphs.

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The Rise of a Tournament Titan

Known primarily for his skills on the cash game tables, Justin Ong didn’t have a lot of tournament experience. But that didn’t stop him from buying into the PokerStars Red Dragon tournament for ₱65,000 (approx. $1,164). Ong took a break from grinding the cash tables and decided to test his skills in a live tournament environment. It didn’t take long before Ong emerged victorious, bagging the coveted Red Dragon trophy and a cool ₱4,711,000 (~$81,605). That win gave him the confidence boost and the padded bankroll to tackle the biggest event of the festival — the APPT Manila Main Event.

The APPT Manila Main Event: A Bigger Challenge

After winning the Red Dragon, Ong’s poker ambitions soared. He entered the APPT Manila Main Event, a massive tournament that obliterated its ₱58,000,000 ($1 million) guarantee, ultimately awarding over ₱87,000,000 ($1.5 million) in prize money. With 1,246 players to beat, the odds were stacked high. But Ong was unfazed.

By the time the final day arrived, Ong found himself holding a commanding chip lead over the final 20 players. But as the tournament progressed, the action heated up quickly, and Ong’s journey to victory was anything but easy.

High Drama at the Final Table

The final table started with intense action, and it didn’t take long before Ong was knocked off his perch. The first hand saw Oliver Lirio eliminate Someshekar Nahdeva with a rivered quads, sending the table into a frenzy. Lirio was on fire, knocking out players left and right, including Katushito Kawai, who fell victim to Lirio’s pocket fives.

But Ong wasn’t backing down. With the chip lead slipping through his fingers, he started to turn up the aggression, eliminating Sungmin Oh and Ryan Tan, regaining the chip lead in the process.

Chase Cokaliong continued to put pressure on Ong, eliminating Kim Enriquez in a crucial coin flip. Cokaliong then made a bold move, calling all-in with a king-high flush. Unfortunately for him, Lirio had an ace-high flush, knocking him out and giving Lirio a commanding two-to-one chip lead going into the heads-up battle.

The Heads-Up Showdown: Justin Ong’s Triumphant Return

It was all coming down to the final heads-up match between Ong and Lirio. With Lirio in control, it seemed like he was on his way to victory. But Ong, with relentless aggression, clawed his way back into the match, levelling the playing field and then seizing the lead.

The final hand came down to Ong moving all-in with pocket eights. Lirio, holding the jack-nine of diamonds, made the call. But Lirio’s cards couldn’t connect with the board, and Ong’s pocket eights held strong, sealing his victory.

Back-to-Back Wins and a Huge Payday For Justin Ong

In a feat that many thought would be impossible, Justin Ong secured back-to-back tournament wins in the span of a few days, earning a combined total of more than $335,000. On top of that, he also banked a ₱210,000 package to the APPT Championship later in the year, adding to his already impressive run.

With these victories, Ong not only added two prestigious titles to his resume, but he also proved that his skills on the cash game tables can translate seamlessly into tournament success.

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Conclusion: From Cash Games to Tournament Domination

Justin Ong’s meteoric rise at the 2025 APPT Manila festival is nothing short of remarkable. His impressive back-to-back wins at the Red Dragon and Main Event show that even seasoned cash game grinders can conquer the tournament scene with the right mindset and a bit of poker magic. For Ong, this is just the beginning.

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Content Courtesy: Pokernews