(openPR) - The Asian Poker Tour (APT) is set to combine forces with World Champion boxer and Philippine hero Manny Pacquiao to stage the Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event on December 7-12, 2011 at the Pan Pacific Hotel’s Asia Poker Sports Club in Malate, Philippines. In a deal signed last week, the tournament will become an official APT Accredited Event and be run with all the standards and practices of a regular APT event.

The Honourable Emmanuel Dapidran Pacquiao, better known as Manny Pacquiao, is a ten-time world boxing title holder, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and also a great supporter of poker in the region. This will be the very first staging of the Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event and is another example of a poker venue looking to ensure its tournament is professionally run through an APT accreditation.

Featuring a PHP 500,000 buy-in High Rollers, PHP 11,000 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha event and a PHP 50,000 buy-in Main Event, the large amount of money on offer over the six-day inaugural tournament looks set to attract a high-calibre field of players. Those wanting to secure a seat cheaply will be able to satellite their way in but will have to wait for further details on satellite tournaments to be posted on the APT website in the future.

Asian Poker Tour Tournament Director, Lloyd Fontillas, who will be running the tournament, said, “The APT is obviously proud to be ensuring its popular and trusted protocol is followed at the Manny Pacquiao World Poker Event. I’m sure it will be a pleasure working with such a respected personality as Manny and we’re looking forward to seeing a large turnout come December 7.”

More information will be posted on www.TheAsianPokerTour.com as it becomes available.

The Asian Poker Tour (APT) was founded in 2008 and after a string of successful tournaments, the APT seeks to continue positioning itself as the premier poker tournament in Asia. Its growing popularity as a highly respected poker tour is a testament to its goal of bringing world-class poker experience in Asia. As a result, the Asian Poker Tour continues to be highly anticipated by poker players and enthusiasts in Asia and all over the world.

This year, the Asian Poker Tour will once again be holding big events at Asia’s most popular poker destinations, including India and the Philippines. In line with its commitment to helping the growth of the game in Asia, the Asian Poker Tour is also providing assistance with the setting up of smaller, accredited events in different locations all over the region.

Asian Poker Tour
43/F Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave., Makati 1200, Philippines
Tel: +63 (2) 887 2525 loc.154
Email: monique.dejesus@theasianpokertour.com
Monique De Jesus