Mann: “Expect a very good week of poker”

L-R: Lloyd Fontillas – APT Tournament Director, Arturo Basa – RWM Director for Gaming Operations, Hakan Dagtas – RWM Chief Gaming Operations Officer, Raymundo De Guzman – PAGCOR Casino Shift Manager Poker Division / Gaming Department, Jeff Mann – APT CEO, Jeff Evora – Senior Director for Gaming Events and Promotions, Jason Morris – APT General Manager

With a decent turnout on opening day of the 2013 Asian Poker Tour (APT) Philippines, APT CEO Jeff Mann believes that this is a sign that poker enthusiasts will come in droves to the Resorts World Manila (RWM) this week.

61 players joined the first side event of the day—the Mix Max 10-6-4 and 29 buy-ins and 28 add-ons were collected for the Charity event. According to Mann, the numbers for the Mix Max event is second highest all-time for an opening event in APT history. 64 players joined the first side event in the most recent APT Macau.

This year’s APT Philippines was formally opened with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Mann with other RWM, APT and PAGCOR officials.

Dauren Aitmukhamet from Kazakhstan won the Mix Max 10-6-4 event and took home $4,100 for his efforts. The Kazakh outlasted Korean Sim Jae Kyung who settled for 2nd place ($2,530) and Canadian Lionel Denis at 3rd place ($1,850).

APT Philippines 2013 Mix Max 10-6-4 Champion, Dauren Aitmukhamet

APT Philippines 2013 Mix Max 10-6-4 Champion, Dauren Aitmukhamet

Meanwhile, Yoichi Fujiya from Japan took the Add-on Charity title earning $2,490. Francisco Calanoc was at 2nd place ($1,570) and Kim Soo Jo finished at 3rd ($990).

APT Philippines 2013 Charity Event Champion, Yoichi Fujiya

APT Philippines 2013 Charity Event Champion, Yoichi Fujiya

Poker action at the Resorts World Manila continues April 18th Thursday with the new event, the 2 Man Team Heads Up at 1PM and the special event sponsored by Resorts World Manila and PokerAce, the Manila Millions with a huge buy-in of HK$ 1,000,000 at 4PM.

Among the popular international pros expected to vie for the Manila Millions crown are defending champ Allan Le, Sam Trickett, Joseph Cheong, Joe Hachem, Nam Le and JC Tran. PokerAce will cover this super high rollers event with live reporting and blogging at PokerAce.tv.

Two satellites to the main event are on tap as well starting at 3PM and 6PM. Click here for full schedule of the APT Philippines 2013 set from April 17 to 24, 2013.