HomePASAY CITY, Phlippines – What began as perhaps the most decorated Final Table in Asian Poker Tour (APT) history turned into a dominating display of poker savvy as twelve-time tour champion Lester Edoc of the Philippines took down the APT 2022 Philippines VIP High-Rollers by defeating fellow Filipino poker legend John Tech en route to his first APT title in four years at the Grand Wing Casino, Newport World Resorts here.
It was a Final 8 to remember as five of the Top 10 in the all-time Philippine money list battled it out, but in the end Edoc (seventh on that exclusive list) took out local bet David “Dave Spade” Erquiaga (ninth on the list) and brought in a humungous 4-1 edge over Tech (fifth on the list) at 848,000 to 202,000.
It came down to a battle between two Philippine poker icons: Edoc vs. Tech
Within fifteen minutes, the 41-year-old Edoc went for it all by shoving his stack. He was promptly called by Tech who was at risk but ahead preflop with Ad4c versus his opponent’s KdTc.
The flop of QhTh9c instantly turned the tide in favor of Edoc via pairing his T. Tech now needed an ace or running cards to stay afloat. The turn card was a 5s and when the Qc arrived on the river, the two buddies exchanged handshakes as Edoc celebrated hi first APT victory since capturing the 2018 APT Manila Main Event.
The Baguio City native also won PhP1,922,700.00 (US$33,734,00) while Tech became richer by PhP1,068,700.00 (US$18,749.00) for his second place finish. Erquiaga took home PhP621,100.00 (US$10,897.00) and William Fasano of Great Britain ended up in fourth for PhP391,200.00 (US$6,863.00).
Edoc celebrating his thirteenth APT title
In Day 1A of the Main Event, the number of entries has now breached the 100 mark as (Event #4) the PhP16,500.00 (US$289.00) Pot Limit Omaha (PLO) tourney and the first PhP65,000.00 (US$1,140.00) single-day High-Rollers (Event #5) trudges on. The ongoing satellite for Day 1B of the Main Event is still happening with now seven seats guaranteed making this the busiest day thus far in the APT 2022 Philippines opening week.