Billiards: Ma Minh Cam regretfully lost to the former world champion, missing the final

Ma Minh Cam played well and had the advantage of leading in terms of score, but in the end still received a regrettable defeat against veteran player Daniel Sanchez, in the semi-final round 6 of the Korean professional 3-cushion carom billiards tournament (PBA) season 2025 - 2026.

On the afternoon of October 28th, Ma Minh Cam took to the court in the semi-final match against Daniel Sanchez (Spain). This was a huge challenge for the Vietnamese player. Sanchez is a veteran name in the world of 3-cushion carom billiards. Before switching to the PBA, the player born in 1974 held 15 World Cup billiards titles and 4 World Championship titles of the UMB. When he came to South Korea, he also won a PBA tournament in 2024.

Ma Minh Cam took the lead twice.

Facing a formidable opponent, Ma Minh Cam played exceptionally well in the first half of the match. At many points, the Vietnamese player gave fans the feeling that every time he made a shot, a series of shots appeared. Minh Cam took the lead twice, 1-0 and 2-1 respectively. Conversely, Sanchez proved the mettle of a world-class player, playing without wavering and fiercely chasing the score, leveling it at 1-1 and 2-2.

Ma Minh Cam played brilliantly in the early games but unfortunately lost. To date, he remains the only Vietnamese player to have won a tournament at the PBA.

PHOTO: CMH

In the 5th and 6th games, Minh Cam still played well. However, at crucial moments, the Vietnamese player unfortunately missed several opportunities. Against a high-class player like Sanchez, every mistake has a price to pay.

In the end, Ma Minh Cam lost 2-4 to Daniel Sanchez. The scores in the sets were: 15/12, 11/15, 15/9, 10/15, 10/15, and 14/15. In this match (6 sets), Minh Cam scored three 9-point series and two 6-point series.

Sanchez showed his class, staging a spectacular comeback to reach the final.

PHOTO: CMH

Vietnam has two representatives in the semi-finals of 3-cushion carom billiards, but none of the players made it to the final. Earlier that morning, in a match, Nguyen Huynh Phuong Linh also lost 2-4 to 18-year-old South Korean player Kim Young-won.

The championship match of Round 6 of this season's PBA tournament was a showdown between veteran player Daniel Sanchez and young talent Kim Young-won, taking place on the evening of October 28th.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/billiards-ma-minh-cam-thua-nguoc-tiec-nuoi-cuu-vo-dich-the-gioi-lo-chung-ket-185251028161425409.htm