Japanese claims first WPT crown

MANILA, Philippines - Tetsuya Tsuchikawa of Japan had close to a dozen friends watching his every move the other night at the final table of the World Poker Tour National Philippines at the Solaire Resort and Casino.

When the 100th hand of play was won, Tsuchikawa and his friends let out a collective yell.

In his final battle with Malaysian Kevin Ang, the Japanese showed a pair of sevens against the former’s pair of sixes. That was all he needed to win it all.

From a total of 385 players and five days of action in the main event, Tsuchikawa was crowned champion in the first-ever WPT event to be played on Philippine soil.

The victory was worth $158,849 or roughly P6.9 million for Tsuchikawa, who also won his first WPT title.

“This is very memorable to me. This is my first title. I will never forget Manila,” said the Japanese poker player, who was fifth in the chips count heading to the final table of six players.

Ang wound up second with $109,794 followed by fellow Malaysian Mun Fei Chow with $70,582. The other Japanese, Yuichi Sumida, was fourth with $52,283 and Douglas Olsson of Sweden fifth with $39,212.

Andrew Gaw of the Philippines came in sixth and laughed his way out of Solaire’s elegant ballroom with $31,370 or almost P1.38 million.

After he was busted out, the 35-year-old Gaw called it right when asked whom he felt had the best chance to win from among the five remaining players.

“Tetsuya because of his experience,” said Gaw.