Jomar Sapo-an, a humble tailor, emerged victorious in the GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup: September Arena.
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa lahat ng bumubuo ng GameZone. Kung hindi po dahil sa kanila, wala po ako rito,” he said.
This GTCC is the third Tongits competition held by GameZone. It is currently the most influential national-level competition in the Philippines and the Tong-its tournament with the largest prize pool in the country.
GameZone presented the “GameZone Tablegame Champions Cup (GTCC): September Arena,” a two-day offline tournament held from September 20 to 21 at the Filinvest Tent in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.
It brought together the top 36 seasoned players from across the Philippines to compete for the prestigious golden trophy and a ₱10,000,000 prize pool — the largest for a Tong-its competition in the country.
GameZone has committed a ₱10 million prize pool for each competition, aiming to showcase the skill, perseverance, and excellence of the Filipino people through professional competitive play.
All participants are selected through online games, giving everyone an equal chance to transform their lives and showcase their talents.
In addition, each competition allocates ₱1 million for public welfare projects and community development initiatives, reflecting GameZone’s commitment to not only provide entertainment but also promote responsible gaming and meaningful contributions to society.
As GameZone concluded the final day of the tournament, the top two players — Jomar and Erlinda — were both reserve players who only joined out of their love for the game, not expecting to face each other in the finals. Erlinda won the first round, leading with 10,600 points.
But momentum shifted when Jomar’s exceptional performance and mastery of the game allowed him to overtake her by 500 points, ultimately securing the championship. He endured to the very end, going all out in the final game to become the GTCC September Arena grand champion.
Jomar received the grand prize of ₱5 million and the golden trophy, which was presented by Mr. Rafael Jasper Vicencio, president of Gamemaster Integrated Inc.
In an exclusive interview, Sapo-an, still in shock after winning, raised his hands to the sky: “Nagpapasalamat po ako kay God at sa pamilya ko.”
Sapo-an and his family live in Rizal but are originally from Bohol. He shared that it was his wife — his number one fan — who encouraged him to join, even though he was nervous since it was his first Tongits tournament. Now as the grand champion, he said he felt overwhelming happiness.
“Inaalay ko po ang panalong ito sa pamilya ko, lalo na sa asawa ko, na number one fan ko at laging supportive. Siya ang nag-push sa akin na pumunta rito. Nag-pray lang din po ako kay God, na kung para sa akin, para sa akin.”
When asked about his plans for the prize money, he said: “Unang-una po sa lupa’t bahay para sa pamilya. Bibili po kami ng lupa at bahay. Sa ngayon po, hindi pa namin napag-uusapan kung sa Maynila o sa Bohol.”
With its trustworthy prizes and fair competition system, the event brought out the competitive spirit of the players. After winning, Sapo-an displayed sportsmanship by crediting his fellow competitors, stating that all of them were masters of the game and that it was not easy — leaving much of it to the luck of the cards.
He explained that his experience came from playing card games and practicing through the GameZone mobile application. This journey, he said, gave him an unforgettable experience that ended with him crowned as champion of the GTCC: September Arena. After the tournament, he planned to go home and embrace his wife and two children.
What sets GameZone apart is its commitment to creating memorable experiences both inside and outside the competition. Players were not only celebrated for their talent but also treated with hospitality rooted in Filipino values.
Each participant was allowed to bring one companion, who enjoyed an all-expenses-paid, five-day hotel stay with food and accommodations — a gesture that reflects GameZone’s dedication to making the experience unforgettable for both players and their families.
At the heart of GameZone is a mission to promote values that not only highlight the competitive nature of gaming but also inspire and uplift society. This year’s event has been dubbed the biggest Tong-its table game tournament in the Philippines.
The tournament opened with excitement, as 36 players from diverse backgrounds arrived to compete. They were grouped randomly and battled through long hours of elimination rounds and finals, each given the opportunity to shine.
All participants were recognized during the two-day tournament, which marked another milestone for the brand. A highlight was GameZone’s donation of ₱1 million to the Kalusugan Plus initiative, an effort supported by the community. BingoPlus Foundation’s Executive Director, Ms. Angela Camins-Wineke, accepted the donation on behalf of the chosen initiative.
Overall, GameZone achieved a milestone event, setting records and opening new opportunities while promising an exciting and entertaining platform for future players.
The tournament was more than just a card game — it fostered champions for change and proved that Filipino love for gaming and entertainment is as strong as ever.
This commitment to excellence, paired with a focus on public welfare, positions GameZone as a leader in the gaming industry, paving the way for even greater achievements in the future.
Above all, GameZone promotes responsible gaming. Play responsibly. Play for fun only. Gambling is not an acceptable way of livelihood and does not solve financial problems. For more information about the tournament, visit the official GameZone website: gzone.ph.
