Late additions Kang Yu-jin, T. Nguyen shine in round 4
Welcome Savings Bank rode strong performances from its newly signed players to win back-to-back matches in the Professional Billiards Association Team League.
The team defeated SY 4-1 on set score Monday at the PBA Stadium in Kintex, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on the third day of round 4 of the 2026-2027 Welcome Savings Bank PBA Team League season. Having lost to Hana Card in their round 4 opener, Welcome Savings Bank bounced back with wins over Huons and then SY to move to 2-1 with five points, placing fourth in the round standings.
The wins were fueled by late additions Kang Yu-jin and Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao of Vietnam, both signed ahead of round 4. Welcome Savings Bank dropped the first set — a men's doubles match in which Jo Geon-hwi and Daniel Sanchez of Spain lost to Burak Hashas of Turkey and Mori Yusuke of Japan 6-11 — but leveled the score in the second set when Choi Hye-mi and Kang defeated Han Ji-eun and Lee Woo-kyung 9-7 in women's doubles.
In the third set, Semi Sayginer of Turkey dominated Mori 15-6, and in the fourth set's mixed doubles, Sanchez and Yong Hyeon-ji beat Seo Hyeon-min and Lee 9-3. Nguyen Tran Thanh Tao then closed out the match in the fifth set, edging Hashas 11-10 in men's singles.
Welcome Savings Bank had sat eighth overall through round 3, but the squad has shown an upward trend in round 4 following the roster reinforcements. The team will go for three straight wins Tuesday when it faces the Breakers.
Crown Haitai swept Woori Financial Capital 4-0 to record three consecutive wins. NH NongHyup Card edged Hi1 Resort 4-3 in a full-set thriller to claim their first win of round 4.
Huons and Hana Card also each posted 4-0 sweeps. Huons defeated Harim on the strength of Kang Dong-gung's performance, while Hana Card's Murat Naci Coklu of Turkey won two matches to lead the team past the Breakers.
yjc@heraldcorp.com
