T. Nguyen Wins PBA Championship in Second Tour Appearance, Credits Self-Focus

Vietnamese professional pool player Nguyen Tran Thanh Tu, competing under the name T. Nguyen, has achieved a stunning victory in the PBA, winning the championship in only his second tour appearance. The 29-year-old defeated seasoned Turkish player Semih Sayginer 4-3 in a dramatic final at the KINTEX PBA Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

Nguyen, who debuted in the PBA this season, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure under pressure. His victory makes him the third Vietnamese player to claim a PBA title, following in the footsteps of Ngo Dinh Nai and Nguyen Quoc Nguyen. The championship comes with a prize of 100 million won (approximately $72,000).

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I can't believe I won on the dream PBA stage. I believed in myself and focused only on my game, no matter who the opponent was, and that's how I was able to win.

The final match was a true test of endurance and mental fortitude. T. Nguyen found himself trailing 1-3 in sets against Sayginer, a formidable opponent. However, he mounted a remarkable comeback, winning the next three consecutive sets to clinch the title. A crucial moment came in the fifth set when he was down 8-9, but a run of 7 points turned the tide, propelling him towards a dramatic reversal.

Speaking after the match, T. Nguyen expressed disbelief at his win on the PBA stage. "I believed in myself and focused only on my game, no matter who the opponent was," he stated. He added that he hadn't yet considered how to spend the substantial prize money. Meanwhile, the runner-up, Sayginer, acknowledged his own missteps in the final but congratulated the young champion, emphasizing the positive impact of new talent on the sport's development.

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It's a mistake that I couldn't close it out when I was in a favorable position with a 3-1 set score. But I am happy that a young player won. It greatly helps the development of the sport.