Determine the last 2 players to compete in billiards tournament with record prize

On May 29, the qualifying round of the SCTV Cup 2025 International 3-Cushion Carom Billiards Tournament with the last two tickets to the final round was determined.

Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao defeated experienced player Ngo Dinh Nai - Photo: SCTV

In the first semi-final of the SCTV Cup 2025 International 3-cushion carom billiards tournament, Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao faced Ngo Dinh Nai in a match that was considered evenly matched.

Thanh Tao started first and scored 2 points, but Dinh Nai quickly took the lead with a series of 5. However, the turning point came in the second turn when Thanh Tao suddenly launched a series of 8, thereby re-establishing the lead and ending the first half with a 15-12 advantage.

In the second half, while Dinh Nai had difficulty maintaining accuracy and only scored 7 more points, Thanh Tao played steadily and confidently. The player born in 1997 ended the match with a series of 8 in the 15th turn, securing a 30-19 victory and earning the first ticket to the final round in a worthy manner.

The second semi-final match between Mai Tan Huyen and Huynh Anh Tai brought different emotions. After the spectacular comeback in the quarter-finals against Dao Van Ly, Anh Tai continued to maintain his momentum, starting like a dream with a lead of 17-6 then 28-17.

Mai Tan Huyen got a ticket to the final round, competing for a prize worth up to 500 million VND - Photo: SCTV

However, the psychological pressure at the decisive moment caused the young player born in 2000 to lose his accuracy. Meanwhile, Mai Tan Huyen calmly shortened the gap with each turn, before ending the breathless chase with a 30-27 victory after 28 turns.

Thus, after 4 days of competition with the participation of 250 players, the tournament has determined the two players who passed the qualifying round and won the last 2 tickets to the main round: Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao and Mai Tan Huyen.

In the main round of SCTV Cup 2025, group A will be the place where Tran Quyet Chien, Heo Jung Han, Kim Jun Tae and Mai Tan Huyen will compete. Meanwhile, group B will gather names such as Tran Thanh Luc, Tayfun Tasdemir, Bao Phuong Vinh and Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao.

Except for the two qualifiers, the remaining six players are all top players in the world , ranked high on the UMB rankings.

On May 30, the final round will officially begin with the group stage matches, opening the journey to conquer the championship with a total prize value of up to 790 million VND, of which the champion will receive 500 million VND in cash. This is a record prize in the history of 3-cushion carom billiards tournaments held in the country.

The 2025 SCTV Cup International 3-Cushion Billiards Tournament will take place from May 26 to 31 at Ho Xuan Huong Stadium (District 3, Ho Chi Minh City), organized by Saigontourist Cable Television Company (SCTV) in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Billiards & Snooker Federation (HBSF).

With the goal of building a professional and competitive annual playground, the tournament carries the message "From unknown to legendary", creating opportunities for all players - from young players to experienced players - to compete and assert themselves.

The official round gathered 8 players (6 guests and 2 qualifiers), divided into 2 groups to compete in a round-robin, selecting 4 players for the semi-finals and finals.

DUC KHUE

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xac-dinh-2-tay-co-cuoi-cung-tranh-tai-tai-giai-billiards-co-phan-thuong-ky-luc-20250529211251462.htm