Daniel Lee claimed victory at the largest APT Main Event ever held in the Philippines, hosted at the City of Dreams Manila. Organized with Soul Poker, the event drew a record 1,081 players, with Lee taking home the prestigious 24K gold lion trophy and PHP 15,060,000 (around USD 256,020) in prize money.
Nine players returned for the final day, each securing at least PHP 1,345,000 (approximately USD 22,865). For many, including Lee, this tournament offered career-high earnings. Notable finishers included Jaejoong Kim from South Korea, Mongolia’s Sandagdorj Munkhbaatar, Ferdinand Lu from the Philippines, John Costiniano, and Edgar Antezana from South Africa, who took second place.
Lee’s path to the top was challenging. Although he led in chips at the final table’s start, he quickly dropped in rank as Costiniano seized control. However, Lee managed a comeback by eliminating three opponents, including Gab Yong Kim, Sandagdorj Munkhbaatar, and Ferdinand Lu, regaining the lead with just three players left.
Antezana gained the upper hand after knocking out Costiniano, narrowing the competition to the final two players. Lee and Antezana then made an unexpected adjustment, redistributing PHP 3 million (around USD 51,000) from the winner’s payout to the runner-up spot before beginning their heads-up match.
The showdown between Lee and Antezana spanned 53 hands, with each player taking the lead multiple times. Antezana held a 2-to-1 advantage at one point, but Lee turned things around with a flush against Antezana’s trip threes, giving him the momentum he needed to press forward and secure his first major poker title.
Reflecting on the win, Lee said, “It feels so surreal. I got pretty lucky,” in a conversation with APT host Greg Liow. Despite his modesty, his performance showed skill and adaptability.
At 27, Lee’s journey into poker is unique. A former software engineer, he left his tech job in San Francisco less than a year ago to pursue poker full-time. His interest in gaming and markets made poker a natural fit. “I love the game, I have a deep passion for it. This deep run makes it so worth it!” Lee shared.
Antezana also achieved a personal milestone, earning PHP 13,850,000 (roughly USD 235,450) for second place. The two players shared a handshake after the final hand, marking a sportsmanlike end to an eventful tournament in APT’s history.
The post Daniel Lee Wins Record APT Philippines Main Event appeared first on iGaming.org.