Alex Lee presumed chip leader as Day 2 concludes

It's all over the place here for tonight. Another eight levels done and dusted and a horde of eliminations. Roughly 39 players made it through to tomorrow and it seems that Alex Lee is prior to the pack with 672,000 in chips.

We'll confirm everything once we will be able to in a whole wrap up of today's proceedings here at the PokerStars Blog. -- BK

10:05pm: Final five tablesLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/1,000 (1,000 ante)

We've just reached the overall five tables of the tournament here on Day 2.

Only 45 remain in quest of the following APPT Main Event title! Who is going to outlive the night? Stick with us to determine. -- BK

9:55pm: Yen departsLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/1,000 (1,000 ante)

Yau Shern Yen was super short and got the last of it in preflop before picking up calls from Gab Yong Kim and Patty Pei Yu Lai.

The flop was 4♥3♠T♦ and it was checked around to the A♦ turn. Kim checked again but Lai fired for 3,000 but Kim quickly gave it up and both Lai and Yen revealed their hands.

Yen: Q♣J♦Lai: 3♥3♣

Yen was drawing thin to a gut shot with Lai holding bottom set. The 9♠ river signalled the tip of Yen's run and he headed for the payout desk. -- BK

9:40pm: Joy for JoLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Hangdon Jo just faded danger to stick alive here within the penultimate level of the day. He got his last 85,500 within the middle against Linh Tran.

Jo: A♣Q♦Tran: A♦J♣

Jo had the most productive of it and it stayed that way because the cards fell 8♠3♣7♥9♣3♦.

He climbs to 180,000 while Tran is knocked back to 270,000. -- BK

9:35pm: Top five stacksLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

As the last level of the day is immanent, listed here are the highest five stacks from the rest 48 players:

Chip leading

Gab Yong Kim - 720,000Seongsu Kong - 680,000Siong Boon Heng - 610,000Ying Lin Chua - 595,000Alan Lau - 595,000--MC

9:25pm: Li holdsLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

The action went three-handed to a flop of Q♣3♠J♠ with Jen-Yen Chien, Ang Li and Jack Wu among it.

It was checked twice to Li who made it 26,000 to head. Chien called from the massive blind but Wu desired to play for more, popping it as much as a complete of 86,000.

Back on Li he turned to have a look at the tournament clock before announcing he was all in for 86,000. Chien quickly got out of ways but if Wu confirmed it was only 54,500 more he matched the bet.

Li: A♣Q♠Wu: K♠Q♦

Li was in front and he held that lead because the 4♥ turn and 8♥ river made things official. He climbs to 310,000 in chips. -- BK

9:19pm: Ang gets tripped up by ShashankLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Kevin Kar Wai Ang was unlucky to bust after his queens were cracked by A-3.

The action folded around to him within the hijack where he moved all-in for his last 33,000. Rathi Shashank was within the big blind and made the call.

Ang: Q♠Q♣Shashank: A♣3♥

The board ran 9♣3♥T♥3♠T♠ to make the Indian a whole house along with his three. --MC

9:10pm: Chua chips up ChienLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Jen-Yen Chien added an enormous addition to his stack after catching out Ying Lin Chua's bluff with a perfect river call.

It was 4♣J♦A♥Q♣T♣ face up at the table and Chua made it 85,000 within the big blind.

With four to a straight on board Chien had a difficult decision holding Q♦J♣ but after cutting out a choice he eventually slid it into the center to look the great news.

Chua flipped up 7♦5♠ for a whole air ball and Chien took down the pot along with his two pair.

Chien moves as much as 445,000 in chips while Chua is struck right down to 280,000. -- BK

9pm: Zhinning Chen the primary player out within the moneyLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Fifty-fourth place and a min cash for Zhinning Chen. He was just a little unlucky to bust too as he got his chips in dominating his opponent.

He moved all-in for his last 25,000 from middle position and was called by Travers Tan within the small blind.

Chen: A♥K♦Tan: A♣Q♦

The board ran 5♠5♥Q♠6♦T♥ to make Tan two pair. -- MC

8:45pm: One-outer sends Larsen home at the bubbleLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

The bubble just burst in a sickly fashion after Thomas Larsen couldn't delay against Ying Lin Chua.

After a cutoff open from Chua, Larsen moved all in excessive for 57,000 and was called before the 2 of them tabled their hands.

Larsen: A♣A♦Chua: A♠8♠

The remaining players from other tables all huddled around to look in the event that they were about to fasten up a payday. Larsen was in pretty good condition to outlive however the doorway for a foul beat was open at the 8♦7♣5♣ flop when Chua paired his eight. The T♣ turn was a perfect card for Larsen as he improved to a flush draw and only had to fade one card.

He couldn't do it, however, because the 8♥ peeled off at the end and the entire room erupted. A brutal solution to end a tournament run - unlucky Larsen. -- BK

8:25pm: Direct money bubble at final break of night

It's time for the last scheduled daybreak 2 and we're currently sitting at the money bubble with 55 left. Let's examine who'll be eliminated one in need of a payday.

We'll be back in 10 minutes. -- BK

8:20pm: Huang halted just shy of the moneyLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

The last Team PokerStars Pro has just been eliminated now after Bryan Huang found himself at the wrong end of a cooler.

"Guys, I AM GOING home" Huang called out to the media desk as we raced over to sweat the action.

He had all his chips in with Q♠Q♥ and was in bad shape against Kim Teng Jong's K♣K♦. Players from nearby tables gathered around to look if Huang could survive but he didn't improve at the J♠5♣9♣3♥A♠ runout. -- BK

Only just missing out at the money - Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang

8:15pm: Lau picks off a bluffLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

With the board reading 4♥9♠J♠4♠K♥ Yul Angel Maravilla bet 19,000 into Alan Lau.

Lau looked torn between calling and folding, taking his time and scrunching up his face. After a couple of minute within the tank Lau committed the chips to peer he'd made an excellent call.

"Ten high" Maravilla confessed tabling T♦2♦

Lau's A♣K♦ well in front as he moved as much as across the 450,000 mark. -- BK

8:10pm: Updated chip countsLevel 15 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Here's how probably the most remaining players are faring.

Gab Yong Kim - 515,000Seongsu Kong - 510,000Alan Lau - 415,000Sam Razavi - 285,000Markus Garberg - 240,000Piyush Gupta - 235,000Gary Pepper - 160,000Patty Pei Yu Lai - 130,000Bryan Huang - 110,000

-- BK

8:09pm: Chien gets heroedLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Huge start of day chip leader Jen-Yen Chien remains to be within the tournament but has dropped back off the sphere as other have passed him. Keiju Murata made an ideal call against him today to peer his stack drop to 132,000.

The two players made it to the river where a Q♥Q♠J♣7♦9♦ board rested. Chien led for 35,000 and Murata tank-called with A♠K♠ for A-K high, and it was good too as Chien could only muster A♥2♦. --MC

8pm: Huang doublesLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Bryan Huang has a super chance of constructing the money after doubling through Zhinning Chen.

The Team PokerStars Pro raised to 10,500 from the cutoff after which four-bet all-in for added 36,000 after Chen three-bet to 25,000 from the button. Chen tank called.

Huang: K♠K♦Chen: A♦Q♦

The board ran 5♣4♠Q♦K♥9♥ to make Huang a suite. -- MC

7:50pm: Ristivojevic railed after three-way all inLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/5,000 (500 ante)

The bubble is fast approaching but that hasn't stopped the chips flying. We just witnessed a three-way all in between Nikola Ristivojevic, Thomas Larsen and Sang Yong Lee.

All the money went in preflop with both Ristivojevic and Lee in peril as players revealed their hands before sweating the runout.

Lee: J♥J♦Nikola Ristivojevic: 8♣8♦Larsen: A♦K♦

The 9♣3♦6♥ didn't change anything and while the 6♦ turn gave Larsen a flush draw, the T♥ river bricked off and Lee's pocket jacks held to eliminate Ristivojevic and take a bit of chips from Larsen.

Lee now has 82,000 to play with. -- BK

7:30pm: There is a new sheriff in town...Level 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

and his name is Seongsu Kong. Or King Kong as he's now calling himself. He won two big pots of former chips leader Ang Li. Kong moved as much as 630,000 whereas Li dropped to 215,000. Way to Kunal Patni for filling the blog in on one of the most details.

The first pot saw Kong raise from under the gun and a player flat call before Li squeezed to 200,000 from the small blind. Kong four-bet jammed for 200,000 and Li called after the third party folded. Li opened A-K but couldn't hook up with a board to overcome Kong's pocket nines.

King Kong

Kong celebrated so loudly that everybody checked out him. He looked to the heavens and made his thanks be known.

Shortly once they tangled again. Li raised from early position before Kong three-bet from two seats along. Kong then got bets of 50,000 and 100,000 called before the river was checked. The board ran ten high and Kong opened queens that were good as Li mucked. --MC

7:20pm: Ang and Garberg chop it upLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Kevin Ang just caught a lucky break to stick alive after being in peril of elimination by Markus Garberg.

It folded to Ang within the cutoff and he moved all in for his final 37,500. Garberg was at the button and he rotated to have a look at the tournament clock while thinking on his decision. Garberg did make the decision and when the players within the blinds quickly folded the cards went at their backs.

Ang: A♥3♠Garberg: A♦J♠

Ang needed help but found none on the T♦Q♠7♦ flop. The 7♠ turn arrived to bring some potential chopportunities and the Q♥ river meant the players would only play their ace kicker with the two-pair on board to cut the pot.

Their bets were returned as Ang and Garberg split the blinds and antes. -- BK

7:10pm: Double PattyLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Patty Pei Yu Lai has gotten the double up she's been needing, and craving.

Seongsu Kong opened to 7,000 from second position and was called by Michael Galang within the hijack before Lai squeezed all-in for 65,500. Kong was the one caller.

Kong: A♠J♠Lai: T♠T♣

The board ran Q♥3♣3♠T♦4♦ to make her a whole house and she or he clapped in delight. -- MC

7:00pm: Patty pushes Galang aroundLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

The action folded around to Michael Galang within the small blind and he raised it as much as 7,000. Patty Pei Yu Lai was within the big blind and he or she decided to transport all in excessive for 78,000.

Galang looked frustrated while he contemplated the verdict. He threw it away face up in any case to expose K♣Q♣. Lai raked within the pot and stacked up her newly acquired chips. -- BK

6:50pm: What a polite bustout!Japanese individuals are known for being polite and Tamon Nakamura just proved that. Upon busting he went around his table fist-pumping every player while wishing them luck, and the entire time he was smiling.

He had three-bet all-in with 8♥8♥ after Yul Angel Maravilla opened from under the gun with Q♠Q♣. Maravilla called and survived a 9♥4♥2♣A♣7♦ board. -- MC

6:40pm: Razavi bashes IshibashiLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

The board was complete and skim Q♠2♦A♥6♠J♦ after we arrived to the table. Tsuyoshi Ishibashi had checked and Sam Razavi moved all in with enough to hide Ishibashi's 76,000 in chips.

Ishibashi went into the tank but ultimately couldn't commit for his tournament life. He folded and Razavi let loose a sigh of relief.

"Good fold, good fold" Razavi comforted Ishibashi.

"Really?" came the query from another tablemate.

"No" Razavi quipped back with a laugh.

-- BK

6:35pm: Danger zone!Level 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

With 76 players remaining the primary Event is simply 22 places off the money. The are seven players with fewer than 50,000 chips, and most in peril of missing out at the money. They are:

Azusa Maeda - 49,000Bryan Huang - 48,000Sebastien Clot - 47,000Hisashi Ogi - 42,000Chunbao Jia - 36,000Chin Wei Lim - 28,000Christian Rafael Ortanez - 14,000--MC

6:15pm: Break o'clock

It's that point again. Play resumes in 10 minutes. -- BK

6:10: Pepper pushing forwardLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Gary Pepper scored himself a double up after finding two-pair against Kejie Ye.

The board read 6♦K♠7♠3♣ and Pepper led for 12,500 from the small blind. Ye called from the cutoff and the 8♦ river rolled off. Pepper paused momentarily before creating a triangle along with his hands to suggest he was all in.

With the verdict back to Ye he waited about 30 seconds before flicking in one chip to name. Pepper tabled K♥7♥ for a flopped two-pair and moved as much as around 130,000. -- BK

6:00pm: Ang Li crushingLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Ang Li has a commanding chip lead over the sphere with an important 580,000. It isn't hard to look why after a hand he just played out with Patty Pei Yu Lai.

Bit jelous of Ang's stack Mr Razavi?

She opened to 5,500 from middle position and was called in a single spot before Li squeezed to 25,000 from the button. Lai was the one caller and both players went directly to check a J♦J♣3♠ flop. The turn and river ran out 9♠8♦ with Lai checking to stand bets of 60,000 on each street. She called both times with pocket kings but Li opened J♥7♦ for flopped trips. Lai dropped to around 45,000. -- MC

5:50pm: More eliminationsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

The field continues to thin as we push deeper into the night here.

Those who won't be making it to Day 3 include Hongyi Chen, Handong Jo, Paul Neville, Alain Alinat, Kai Sheng Yang, Komoi Kyoko, Chye Wei Soh, Dean Aldred, Dennis Gamboa, Bart Luyckx, Tatsumune Miyata, Thomas Labouchardiere, Kenji Kurashina, Yasuchika Kayano, Petter Karlsson, Masaya Hayami, Yifan Zheng, Shin Takahashi, Perry Michael and Seung Soo Jeon.

5:40pm: Lin bouncedLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Bryan Huang remains the one PokerStars Team Pro left within the field after the elimination of Chen-An Lin. Way to Sam Razavi for filling us in at the details.

Razavi himself opened to 5,500 before Lin three-bet to 15,000 from two seats along. Seongsu Kong was yet another seat along and four-bet jammed for 35,000 with pocket queens. Razavi folded but Lin snap called all-in with A-K. Kong flopped a collection and filled up by the river. --MC

Lin flipped bad

5:30pm: Lau at the warpathLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Alan Lau continues to grow his stack, this time taking from Azusa Maeda.

Lau opened from the hijack seat to 5,800 before Maeda played back at him from the cutoff with a raise to 16,500. Lau flicked in a decision they usually went to a flop of 2♠3♥J♠.

After a check from Lau, Maeda continued for 22,000 and with a decision from Lau the dealer turned the T♠. The actiat then went check-check and the 9♦ arrived on the end.

Lau thought for roughly a minute before reaching deep into his stack and bombing it for 60,000. Maeda gave it up and Lau moved up over the 300,000-chip mark. -- BK

5:20pm: Patni gets himself a Sun TanLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Komori Kyoko had busted the former hand (no details) within the big blind, so Sun Chin Tan was the lone big blind when he faced an under-the-gun raise from Kunal Patni. He called and both players checked a 7♣K♦6♥ flop. The turn was the 2♥ and Tan led for 5,500. Patni called and the board completed with the A♣ which was checked through.

Tan showed a 6♠ however it was no good as Patni opened J♣J♥ and moved as much as 54,000. --MC

5:10pm: Chip count updateLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

We've just dipped under the 100-player mark with over 70 players already finding the exit within the first few levels here. Only two of the Team PokerStars Pro contingent remain with Chen-An Lin and Bryan Huang still a few of the action.

Here's how one of the survivors stack up.

Piyush Gupta - 220,000Alan Lau - 186,000Sam Razavi - 180,000Chen-An Lin - 106,000Bryan Huang - 94,000

-- BK

4:55pm: Just over 100 leftLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

A little over 100 players are left typically Event however the following don't seem to be in that crew: Richard Kim, Gregory Lane, John Tech, Namhun Kim, Leon Li-ta Hou, Chanryok Park, Vinod Megalmani, Lester Edoc, Simon Burns, Jeremy Chee, Walken Li, Junhyung Kwon, Navkiran Singh, Renato Torno Jr and Kitamura Makoto. -- MC

4:45pm: Enquiry from EnriquezLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Kim Enriquez was just spotted checking out a brand new technique on the table. He moved all in preflop for 18,400 before posing an issue to Siri on his iPhone.

"Siri, will I win this hand?" He asked. "Siri says yes" he continued.

It turned out Siri was right because the remainder of the table folded and Enriquez collected the blinds and antes. -- BK

4:35pm: This tournament aint large enough for the 2 of usLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Kim Michael Enriquez and Shin Takahashi were the 2 shortest stacks on the table - certainly one of them needed to go. The previous moved all-in from the cutoff and was followed quickly in by the latter one seat along.

Enriquez: 8♥8♣Takahashi: K♠K♥

The board ran 6♥4♥9♥A♦J♦ and after a count of the stacks, Enriquez was confirmed out and Takahashi's stack grew to 47,000. --MC

4:30pm: Punisher PohLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

"This is the action table" Marcuss Liow assured us as he waved us over.

It appeared like he was right, with two players all in and a call at the third for all his chips.

From what lets gather, Samuel Ho had installed a preflop reraise to 29,500 from the small blind and Siong Boon Heng moved all in excessive. Clarence Poh called off for his own tournament life and the verdict was back to Ho.

Ho looked torn but eventually flashed J♣J♦ and tossed it within the muck. It turned out to be an even fold as Poh was sitting pretty with A♠A♥, prior to Heng's T♠T♥.

The cards came down 6♠5♥8♠5♠8♦ which did not change anything and Poh won himself a healthy pot. He moved as much as a complete of 182,000. -- BK

4:20pm: Lin value bets himselfLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Chen-An Lin has dropped to 41,000 after value betting with the second one best hand in a pot with Taehyung Kim.

Around 35,000 lay within the middle by the point the board rested as 3♣4♥4♣Q♥A♥. The Team PokerStars Pro led for 26,000 from the small blind holding J♦T♥ and Kim called from the cutoff with the upper Q♠J♣. -- MC

4:02pm: Break downLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Drop down and provides me a 10-minute break everyone. --MC

3:58pm: Patty gets to 150kLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Patty Pei Yu Lai's stack has reached to 150,000 milestone after she won a pot out of position and with no need to showdown.

Seongsu Kong opened to 4,500 from the cutoff and Lai peeled from the massive ignorant of see a 4♠3♥5♥ flop. She then led out for 6,000 and called after Kong raised to 13,000. Both players went directly to check the T♣ turn before Lai led for 20,000 at the 6♦ river. Kong did not have the products and folded. --MC

Patty pounds on Kong

3:50pm: Team Pro hits the rail; other recent eliminationsLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu just left us. Joining her at the rail are David Evans, Yves Sy, Joachim Chia, Hwee Nam, Steven Cowley, Bertrad Ortiz, Rohit Bhalla, Jhana Hale, Gerald Goh, Henrik Tollefsen, Jasper van Putten, Seitaro Aso, Roger Spets and Jongmin Lim. -- BK

3:40pm: Lau gets the most efficient of Jo againLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

It wasn't way back that we reported Alan King Lun Lau taking down a pot against Handong Jo and it was almost déjà vu as Lau just did it again.

It was at the river this time with the community cards showing J♦4♠T♥4♥3♣ and Lau barrelled for 11,500 from the large blind.

Jo didn't think on it long before surrendering his hand as another pot was pushed Lau's way. -- BK

3:25pm: Nam bam thank you, mamLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Hwee Nam found a great place to get his stack in but Hung Sheng Lin came from behind to ruin his day.

The action folded around to Lin at the button who raised to 3,100. Nam was within the small blind and three-bet all-in for 17,700. Lin tanked, made the decision after which winced when he saw Nam's hand.

Nam: 9♥9♠Lin: A♥7♦

The board ran J♥2♥7♥5♠A♦ to make Lin two pair. --MC

3:15pm: Lau lifting his stackLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan King Lun Lau is accumulating chips. He just won a pot from Handong Jo.

On a flop of 5♠A♣3♥ Jo checked his option before Lau bet 6,700. Jo made the decision and the dealer turned the 4♦. Another check from Jo saw Lau fire for 14,000 and Jo went into the tank.

He stared on the board but after considerable thought Jo tapped the table and tossed his hand within the muck. Lau raked within the pot and moved as much as 108,000. -- BK

3:10pm: Level 11 underwayLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

The first level of the day has concluded and around 25 players were eliminated. The most recent to head included: Jose Boloqui, Manuel Iii A. Mascunana, Paul John Elliott, Michael Bueza, Chyuan Seng Wee, Thanh Ha Duong, Douglas Hill Ming Chan, Julian Lagman, Misaki Satouchi, Carlos Chang and Vitalii Gorbunov. -- MC

Carlos Chang

3:00pm: Chua chops down SinghLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Ying Lin Chua just put the pressure on Navkiran Singh, putting him to a call for his tournament life with a turn check-raise.

It was a board of T♣K♦6♠2♦ at the table and after Chua checked, Singh made it 22,000 to head. Chua then moved all in with enough to hide Singh who started to deliberate.

"I've got an excellent hand" Chua announced.

Singh decided to fold and Chua offered to turn a card. Singh picked one that was revealed to be the T♦ meaning Chua had a minimum of middle pair.

After that hit Singh drops to 48,000. -- BK

2:54pm: First Team Pro downLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Kosei Ichinose came into Day 2 short and couldn't turn it around. Kim Teng Jong and Jin Hwang Yong kindly filled the blog in at the details.

Ichinose moved all-in with Q-T suited and was called by Yves Sy who held A-K. Ichinose flopped a 10 to take the lead but it surely was short lived as an ace appeared at the turn to seal his exit. --MC

2:50pm: Zhu crippled, Wee gone and Gupta at the riseLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

We arrived on the table to look the board reading K♠3♠3♦5♦, Chyuan Seng Wee with an all-in triangle in front of him but his chips already raked in from a prior street, and the action on Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu.

Zhu led for 18,000 into the one other active player Piyush Gupta who made the decision to look the 7♣ river. Zhu emptied the clip moving all in with enough to hide Gupta and he snapped it off with K♣K♦ for a flopped full house.

Zhu had just A♣Q♦ for ace high and was knocked right down to around 11,000 while Wee's 6♥6♦ was also no good and he exited the tournament area. -- BK

2:38pm: The early fallersLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Day 2 is moving day at the APPT. For individuals to transport up within the counts though players need to bust, and people who have fallen already are:

Kazuhiro Shirasawa, Terry Gonzaga, Junyeob Song, Aaron Lim, Per Douglas Olsson, Kinam Kim, Van Sang Nguyen, Rogelio Paca, John Niko Costiniano, Naoto Saito, Michael Tchong, and Joseph Sia. -- MC

2:35pm: Aso moves inLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Seitaro just added a significant portion of chips to his stack with no need to visit showdown.

After an open to 2,900 from Daniel Benor, Chin Wei Lim three-bet to 7,800 from the small blind. Seitaro then risked all of it moving in for exactly another 20,000 on top.Benor and Lim both tossed their hands within the muck and Seitaro raked within the pot. -- BK

2:25pm: Hsu happy to lose a potLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

That could appear like a wierd title but Leon Li-ta Hsu tanked for several minutes at the river before deciding to check, and he banged the table in delight that he didn't bet as his opponent had trap-checked with the nut flush.

Hsu had raised to 13,500 on a J♠7♣T♣ flop after his opponent - Hyunsik Nam - had bet 3,000. Nam called the raise and check-called another 17,000 at the K♣ turn. The river was the 4♠ and Nam opened A♣3♣ when his opponent checked behind. -- MC

2:15pm: Heng hits PepperLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Siong Boon Heng just took down a pot within the first orbit here, much to the disappointment of Gary Pepper.

Heng raised to 3,500 from early position before Pepper repopped it to 9,500 from the button. Heng stuck around and the flop landed 9♠6♠Q♣.

The action went check-check and when the 7♥ turn arrived Heng led for 8,100. Pepper made the decision and the 5♥ completed the board.

Heng then opted to test before Pepper fired for 16,000. The move was met with a handy guide a rough raise to 35,000 from Heng and after on reflection at his cards Pepper relinquished his hand. With that Heng climbs to 138,000 in chips. -- BK

2:05pm: It's go time!Level 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Cards are actually within the air and play is underway.

We're in for eight one-hour levels today and it's expected that we are going to make the cash today. Stick with us for one more exciting day from PokerStars LIVE Manila. -- BK

1:44pm: Welcome back to Day 2Level 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

The APPT Manila Main Event looks like it's starting proper today. There are not any more re-entries allowed and all of the remaining players are within the same room for the primary time. All of the 168 returning players can have one eye on making the highest 54 and securing a min cash of ₱110,600.

Four of our Team PokerStars Pros might be back today: Bryan Huang (101,500), Yaxi Zhu (86,600), Chen-An Lin (54,000) and Kosei Ichinose (16,300). Cards may be within the air at 2pm local time so join us back here then. --MC

Huang is the most efficient placed Team Pro

PokerStars Blog reporting team in Manila: Brad Kain and Marc Convey. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography.

The APPT Manila festival at PokerStars LIVE on the City of Dreams runs until Monday, August 8. Full details can be found at the official APPT website or via the PokerStars Manila page.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Asia Pacific Poker Tour]