SEOUL - The first trophy and the main prize of 100 million Korean won (75,000 euros) in the PBA Tour goes to 36-year-old Greek, Filippos Kasidokostas. In the billiard arena in Seoul, where the first event of the new organization was played, the former world champion and European champion defeated 38-year-old unknown Min-gu Kang in the final 4-3 in sets, 11-8 in the decisive seventh set. The Greek jumped in the air, showing his joy after his winning point.
Filippos Kasidokostas is a startling winner of this first tournament. Three years ago, he made his comeback in the global circuit after physical problems with his shoulder and arm. He explained after his victory in front of the camera's: ''I had to change my hand, because it was shaking all the time when I tried to play and it was not easy to play with the other arm. But I love my sport and I had no other chance to continue my career.'' In those three years, Kasidokostas has made a miraculous metamorphosis. This year, Filippos already played a final in a World Cup, with his victory in this PBA tournament he is definitely back at his high level.
Kasidokostas became world champion in Lausanne at the age of 26 in 2009 in a final against Eddy Merckx, three times second in a world championship three cushion (2003, 2004, 2013) and three times world champion juniors. "I am very happy with this PBA victory," the Greek said in his comment after the final. ''The format and playing system are very attractive, but also a challenge and the level was very high."
Min-gu Kang, the surprising finalist, was a relatively unknown Korean until today, who's only success was a place in the last 16 at a World Cup in Korea two years ago.
The PBA tournament started with a total of 128 participants, including some fifteen Europeans, American Pedro Piedrabuena and Colombian Robinson Morales. In the first phase, the preliminaries were played according to the Survival system, in the last 32, knock-out was played in a set system. The Turks Savas Bulut and Birol Uymaz were the best Europeans in the shadow of Filippos Kasidokostas. Pedro Piedrabuena eliminated Savas Bulut in the quarterfinals 3-2, the Korean Sung-uk Oh, who had outplayed Frédéric Caudron in the decisive set with 15-0, also won bested Birol Uymaz 3- 0.
The most attractive prizes:
1 Filippos Kasidokostas 75,000 euros
2 Min-gu Kang 25,000 euros
3/4: Pedro Piedrabuena and Sung-uk Oh 7,500 euros
5/8: Savas Bulut, Jae-Guen Kim, Birol Uymaz, Gyeong-soop Jung 3,750 euros.
Filippos Kasidokostas on his way to his PBA victory
Korean player Min-gu Kang, the revelation of the PBA event