The Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila Championship 2025 has been nothing short of electrifying, as some of Asia’s most skilled poker players continue to battle for the prestigious title and the PHP 165,000 Championship trophy. Held at the luxurious Okada Manila, the festival has attracted a star-studded international field, reflecting poker’s ever-growing popularity across the region.
Heading into the final day of play, India’s very own Aditya Agarwal — one of Asia’s most consistent and respected poker professionals — is sitting comfortably among the top five chip stacks, signaling a serious bid for another major title in his illustrious career. With 2,380,000 chips (40 big blinds), Agarwal remains in contention alongside heavyweights from Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United Kingdom.
The Final Day Lineup: International Talent at Its Peak
The current chip leader is Minwoong Jeong from South Korea, who bagged a massive 4,880,000 chips (81 BB), displaying his trademark aggression and deep-stack composure throughout Day 3. Close behind is Thailand’s Waris Soontorn, who built a strong stack of 3,915,000 (65 BB) after dominating several key pots in the late stages.
Vietnam’s Van Sang Nguyen continues the nation’s strong APPT tradition with 3,105,000 (52 BB), while the UK’s Craig Daniel Jones and the Netherlands’ Ronald Haverkamp round out the top tier with 2,100,000 (35 BB) and 1,740,000 (29 BB) respectively.
Among these international contenders stands Aditya Agarwal, India’s longtime poker ambassador and a fan favorite. His deep run has once again put the spotlight on the growing presence of poker in India, especially at premier events like the APPT.
Aditya Agarwal: India’s Poker Pioneer Continues to Shine
For more than a decade, Aditya Agarwal has been at the forefront of Indian poker, consistently representing the country on the world stage. From making a mark at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas to grinding on top online platforms, his career reflects both longevity and excellence.
Known for his patient, analytical playing style, Agarwal’s ability to adapt to different field dynamics has been key to his success. In Manila, he navigated a tough field filled with international pros, showing discipline and elite-level decision-making during crucial all-ins and ICM spots.
Agarwal’s deep run also reinforces India’s growing influence on the Asia-Pacific poker scene. With Indian pros regularly featuring in events like APPT, APT, and WPT Prime, the region is fast becoming one of the most competitive poker circuits outside of North America and Europe.
A Field Packed With Global Stars
The APPT Manila Championship 2025 saw hundreds of entries from across Asia and beyond, including seasoned players from Japan, Australia, Vietnam, and Europe. Some of the well-known names who exited before the final day include:
- Michael Uguccioni (Italy)
- David Wang (Australia)
- Vincent Chauve (France)
- Alexander Puchalski (Canada)
- Tomoya Kakihara (Japan)
Their eliminations underscore just how competitive this year’s championship has been. The survival of a handful of elite players heading into Day 4 ensures a thrilling conclusion to one of Asia’s most prestigious poker tournaments.
What’s at Stake: The Road to the Championship Title
The APPT Manila Championship has long been one of the crown jewels of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour, known for its deep structures, international appeal, and generous prize pools. This year’s edition carries a PHP 165,000 buy-in and a massive guarantee that has drawn players from over 20 countries.
With the blinds rising rapidly and the average stack hovering around 40 BBs, strategic precision and mental resilience will define the final table. For players like Aditya Agarwal, who have years of experience under the bright lights, this is the kind of moment they thrive in — where patience and pressure merge into a single, decisive performance.
India’s Growing Footprint in Asian Poker
The rise of Indian poker talent in international tournaments has been remarkable. From Natural8 India qualifiers to Indian pros making waves at the Asian Poker Tour (APT) and World Poker Tour (WPT), the country’s poker ecosystem continues to evolve rapidly.
Agarwal’s success serves as inspiration for the next generation of Indian players — proving that with discipline, study, and perseverance, Indian players can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best.
As he heads into the final day at the APPT Manila Championship 2025, all eyes from the Indian poker community will be glued to the live updates, hoping to see Agarwal capture another milestone win for poker in India and poker India’s growing reputation on the global map.
Final Thoughts
With just a few players remaining and millions of pesos on the line, the APPT Manila Championship 2025 is poised for a dramatic finish. Whether Minwoong Jeong can hold onto his commanding chip lead or Aditya Agarwal stages a memorable comeback to lift the trophy, this year’s finale will surely go down as one of the most exciting chapters in the Asia Pacific Poker Tour history.
Stay tuned to BetterPokerNews for full coverage, live updates, and final results from the APPT Manila Championship 2025.
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