Triumphant Victories for Justin Ong: Cash Game Contender wins Two APPT Manila Championships
In the bustling poker scene of the Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Manila 2025, a new star emerged. Justin Ong, a cash game specialist from the Philippines, made a splash by winning not one, but two major titles - the PokerStars Red Dragon event and the APPT Manila Main Event [1][2][3][5].
Ong's journey to stardom began with a ₱65,000 buy-in (around $1,164) for the Red Dragon event. His victory in this tournament earned him ₱4,711,000 (approximately $81,605) and a shard trophy [1][2][4]. Just when the poker world was still buzzing about his first win, Ong captured the main event crown in a large field of 1,246 players with a prize pool exceeding ₱87,000,000 ($1.5 million). He walked away with approximately ₱14.8 million (about $256,370) plus a ₱210,000 package to the APPT Championship later that year [1][2][3][5].
These back-to-back tournament victories at APPT Manila were historic, elevating him from relative obscurity to local poker legend and marking a career-defining achievement. His combined winnings from the festival surpassed ₱19 million (approximately $326,000) [2][3].
Entering the APPT Main Event final as the chip leader, Ong notably outlasted significant rivals like Oliver Lirio, ultimately winning through aggressive play and crucial bluffs [3]. This string of wins has made Justin Ong one of the most talked-about emerging poker talents in Asia.
The final hand saw Ong move all-in with pocket eights, and Lirio call with jack-nine of diamonds, but Lirio couldn't connect with the board. Ong's victory marked the end of an intense heads-up battle where Ong increased his aggression and forged a lead [1][3].
Oliver Lirio, who finished as the runner-up, earned ₱9,250,000 ($160,230). Chase Cokaliong placed third, earning ₱6,600,000 ($114,330), while Kim Enriquez finished in fourth place, earning ₱5,100,000 ($88,345) [1][3].
The APPT Manila Main Event had a field of 1,246 players, causing the ₱58,000,000 ($1 million) guarantee to be surpassed, with more than ₱87,000,000 ($1.5 million) awarded to those who navigated into the money places [1][3].
Justin Ong initially competed in cash games but also entered the APPT Manila Main Event. On the final day of the tournament, he held a chip lead over the final 20 hopefuls [1][3]. The road to his victories was not always easy, as shown by a coinflip win against Kim Enriquez, but he was eliminated shortly after [1].
These impressive wins have solidified Justin Ong's position as a force to be reckoned with in the Philippine poker scene and beyond. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring poker players, demonstrating that with determination and skill, anyone can rise to the top.
Amid the buzzing sports news and casino headlines, Justin Ong's recent successes at the APPT Manila 2025 have caught the attention of the poker world. As a cash game specialist, Ong took home not just one but two major titles, the PokerStars Red Dragon event and the APPT Manila Main Event, setting new records and landing him a spot among Asia's rising poker talents.
