Nguyễn Trần Thanh Tạo has joined South Korea’s Welcome Phoenix for the 2026-2027 PBA Team League season. — Photo courtesy of Thanh Tạo

Billiard

HÀ NỘI — Billiards player Nguyễn Trần Thanh Tạo has joined the Republic of Korea’s Welcome Phoenix for the 2026-2027 PBA Team League season, strengthening the team ahead of the fourth stage of the competition.

The Professional Billiards Association (PBA) confirmed the signing as part of its supplementary player selection process following the third stage.

Welcome Phoenix were the only team among the 10 participants to exercise their right to recruit additional players, selecting Tạo with their first pick and Korean female player Kang Yu-jin as their second. Both are set to make their Team League debuts when the fourth stage begins on October 31.

Tạo has made an impressive start to his PBA Tour career. After entering the Republic of Korea’s professional billiards circuit through a priority registration slot, he won the title at the third leg of the 2026-2027 PBA Tour. He defeated Turkey’s Semih Sayginer 4-3 in the final to claim the championship.

The move will see Tạo join forces with Sayginer and Spanish star Daniel Sanchez, two of the most experienced names in three-cushion billiards. Both have enjoyed success on the international circuit before moving to the PBA.

Sanchez has won 15 World Cup titles and four world championships under the Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB). Since joining the PBA in 2023, the Spaniard has added three PBA Tour titles. Sayginer, meanwhile, has seven World Cup titles and one UMB world championship to his name, as well as two PBA Tour titles since joining the Korean circuit in 2023.

Welcome Phoenix also have a strong lineup featuring Cho Keon-hwi, who has won two PBA Tour titles this season, and Kim Jong-won in the men's team. The women's lineup includes Jong Hyun-ji, Choi Bom-e and Choi Hye-mi.

Despite their experienced roster, Welcome Phoenix have struggled in the Team League this season. They sit eighth among the 10 teams after the third stage, with 10 wins, 17 losses and 36 points.

The signings of Tạo and Kang are expected to strengthen the squad as Welcome Phoenix seek to improve their standing in the remaining stages. The team will be looking to turn around their campaign after a disappointing first three stages.

The recruitment drive also forms part of the team's longer-term plans. Under PBA regulations, Welcome Phoenix must retain both Tạo and Kang through the end of the 2027-2028 season. The number of players teams must protect for the following season has also increased from three to five, with both new signings included in that group. — VNS