Mike Takayama Makes History at APPT Manila 2026

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Mike Takayama has finally added an APPT Main Event title to his résumé—and he did it in the biggest APPT Manila Main Event ever held.

Takayama defeated fellow Filipino poker veteran Florencio “Flo” Campomanes heads-up to capture the 2026 APPT Manila Main Event at Cove Manila, Okada Manila.

The victory earned Takayama ₱15,530,000, the APPT Shard Trophy and an APPT Championship package. The package includes an APPT Championship entry and four nights of accommodation at Okada Manila.

The tournament attracted 1,413 entries for the ₱80,000 buy-in Main Event, creating a massive ₱97,666,560 prize pool. The figure comfortably surpassed the original ₱60 million guarantee and established new APPT Manila records for both entries and prize money.

But the numbers tell only part of the story.

Takayama’s run included one of the most dramatic hands of the final table. With pocket queens against Yang Yung Mao’s ace-king, Takayama was ahead before a king appeared on the turn. With only one queen left that could save his tournament, the final queen arrived on the river.

The hand transformed Takayama’s position and helped propel him toward the title.

After reaching heads-up, Takayama faced a player with his own APPT Manila history. Campomanes was attempting to win the Main Event for a second time after his 2019 victory.

This time, however, the title belonged to Takayama.

After years of major results in Philippine and Asian poker, the APPT Main Event trophy was one of the major titles missing from his résumé.

Now it is no longer missing.

Mike Takayama is the 2026 APPT Manila Main Event champion.