04/14/2026
Dramatic Scenes from the TABABA Pro-Am Invitational. Part One!!!
The TABABA Pro-Am Invitational delivered far more than expected, from dramatic upsets to thrilling comebacks, the event unfolded with intensity and unforgettable moments from start to finish.
🔥 Early Rounds Shake Up the Field
The tournament saw major surprises right from the preliminary rounds.
One of the top-favored teams, featuring “Jiang Jiang” Pearl Chiang and top local player John Gayaban, was unexpectedly eliminated after a stunning 0–4 loss to Bean Hong and Somya Shah who’s an APA Skill Level 3 player and one of the least experienced participants in the field.
Another strong contender, the “talented shotmaker”Amber Chen paired with Chris Le, also fell short. After being sent to the loser’s bracket by Sakura Muramatsu and Kevin Bui, they were later eliminated 4–1 by Wan-Ling Wang and Ming Chao.
With two major favorites knocked out early, the entire tournament landscape was reshaped.
⚔️ Semifinals — Momentum Shifts
As the tournament progressed into the final four, pressure began to build.
Sakura Muramatsu and Kevin Bui jumped out to a commanding 3–0 lead, appearing to be in full control. However, former World No.1 Rita Chou, aka Big Eyes, paired with Daniel Yang, mounted a powerful comeback, ultimately winning 5–3 to secure a spot in the finals.
In the other semifinal, another upset unfolded. Wan-Ling Wang and Ming Chao, considered strong title contenders, were defeated decisively 5–0 by Bean Hong and Somya Shah.
Ming, known for a more conservative style, shifted to an aggressive approach during the match, leading to unforced errors. In contrast, Somya, guided by Bean, stayed composed and consistent, executing a clean and disciplined game plan to advance.
🏆 Final — Experience vs. Breakthrough
The championship match featured Rita / Daniel against Bean / Somya.
Bean and Somya started strong, with Bean demonstrating exceptional shot-making and control. In a key moment, Bean executed a difficult shot on the 8-ball under pressure, helping the team take an early 2–0 lead.
The momentum shifted once again as Rita, leveraging her world-class experience, accelerated the pace and won two consecutive racks, a break-and-run & a table run, to even the score.
In the end, composure and experience made the difference. Rita Chou and Daniel Yang completed the comeback to win 5–3 and claim the title.
👏 More Than a Tournament
For many amateur players, the experience went far beyond competition.
“Playing alongside a professional taught us things we could never learn otherwise,” several participants shared.
From strategy and rhythm to decision-making under pressure, every rack became a valuable learning opportunity.
🔥 The Essence of Pro-Am
This is what the game is truly about.
Beyond winning and losing, it is about connection, growth, and pushing boundaries together. The TABABA Pro-Am Invitational created a unique platform where players could share, learn, and elevate their game.
This is just the beginning, and the foundation of something much bigger to come.
🏆 Final Results
Champion
Rita Chou/ Daniel Yang
Runner-up
Bean Hong / Somya Shah
3rd Place
Wan-Ling Wang / Ming Chao
Sakura Muramatsu / Kevin Bui
Participating Teams
Pearl Chiang / John Gayaban
Venus Lim / Clara Kwong
Xin-Yu Hong / Felix Jan
Amber Chen / Chris Le
Bravo to all of you — amazing effort from everyone!!! 🫣🥰🤗
