“Next-Generation Billiards Queen” Jung Soobin Advances to Round of 16 with “Tournament Average of 1.407”… Kim Ga-young vs. Han Ji-eun Matchup Set [PBA Tour]

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Jung Soobin (27, NH Nonghyup Card) is making a powerful push toward back-to-back titles with an unstoppable upward momentum.

On the 20th, at the “How to Live Well Now zgm NH Nonghyup Card PBA-LPBA Championship,” the fifth tour of the 2026-2027 professional billiards season, held at the “Goyang KINTEX PBA Stadium” in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Jung Soobin secured a shutout victory over Park Ga-eun with a set score of 3-0 (11-0, 11-2, 11-10) in the LPBA Round of 32.

Jung Soobin, who claimed her first career title at the previous third tour, is continuing her ascent at this tournament.

She recorded a decisive 25-6 victory over Jung Hae-sol in the Round of 128, achieving an average of a remarkable 1.563. She displayed even more formidable momentum in the Round of 64, defeating Kim Do-kyung 25-11 with an average of 2.083.

This figure surpassed the 1.923 recorded by Kim Ga-young when she defeated Kim Seong-eun 2 in the Round of 128. It ranks second in this tournament, following the 2.273 recorded by Han Seul-ki (both with Hana Card) when she defeated Park Su-hyang 25-7 in the Round of 64.

Jung Soobin, who debuted in the 2022-2023 season with an average of 0.676, slowed to 0.641 the following year but grew to 0.858 in the 2024-2025 season. She then reached 0.969 last season and has now raised her average to 1.105 this season, drawing a steady upward trajectory.

In particular, at this tournament, she has played three matches with an average of 1.407, firmly securing third place behind Kim Ga-young (1.559) and Han Seul-ki (1.471), heightening expectations.

Kim Ga-young also advanced to the Round of 16 by defeating Hwang Min-ji (Breakers) with a set score of 3-1. She is set to clash with Han Ji-eun (S&Y) in the Round of 16, who advanced after defeating Hidari Ori (Breakers) in a deciding frame.

Kang Ji-eun (High1 Resort) and Kim Da-hee (Breakers) also secured their spots in the Round of 16 by defeating Lee Ji-eun and Lee Woo-kyung (S&Y), respectively, after deciding frames.

PBA’s top powerhouses all won to settle into the Round of 64 stage. Daniel Sanchez (Welcome Savings Bank), the recipient of the Grand Prize last season, defeated Park Nam-su with a set score of 3-0. Sanchez, who was eliminated in the Round of 64 at the previous tour (Crown Hite Championship), took a 12-2 lead in the third inning of the first set while trailing 1-2, sweeping up a total of 11 points including three bank shots. He filled in the remaining 3 points in the fourth inning to take the first set quickly at 15-2. After winning the second set 15-12 (13 innings) in a close contest, Sanchez hit two long-distance shots worth 7 points each in the third set to win 15-2 in just five innings, completing a 3-0 set score victory.

“Hulk” Kang Dong-gung (Huons) also won his first match of the tournament against Moon Ho-beom with a set score of 3-1. Kang Dong-gung took the first set 15-2 (7 innings), while Moon Ho-beom won the second set 15-5 (5 innings), tying the set score at 1-1. Kang Dong-gung then regained the lead by winning the third set 15-4 (9 innings) in the third inning, and finally defeated Moon Ho-beom’s pursuit to win the fourth set 15-11 (12 innings), advancing to the Round of 64.

“PBA Rising Star” Kim Young-won (Harim) also defeated Cha Gwang-su with a set score of 3-0. Kim Young-won started well by winning the first set 15-2 (5 innings), but a tense battle unfolded thereafter. Trailing 14-10 in the second set, Kim Young-won scored consecutively for 2 and 3 points in the 10th inning to turn it around and win 15-14 (11 innings). In the third set, after repeated lead changes, he won 15-14 (12 innings) to narrowly advance to the Round of 64.

“Defending Champion” Mori Yusuke (Japan, S&Y), who won with NH Nonghyup Card last season, advanced to the next round by defeating Lee Hae-dong with a set score of 3-0, successfully hitting long-distance shots in every set. Rupi Chenet (Turkey, High1 Resort), Eddy Lepeutens (Belgium, High1 Resort), David Sapat (Spain, Woori Financial Capital), and Oh Tae-jun (NH Nonghyup Card) also advanced to the Round of 64.

On the 21st, the fourth day of the tournament, the second day of the PBA Round of 128 schedule begins at 1 p.m. The second day of the LPBA Round of 32 matches will be held simultaneously at 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original