2025 PBA Tour Finals: Anderson Defeats Tackett in Thrilling Championship

Andrew Anderson clinched the 2025 PBA Tour Finals title, defeating EJ Tackett in a dramatic championship match on June 8, 2025, at Steel City Bowl & Brews in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This victory marked Anderson’s second title of the season, both against Tackett, intensifying their rivalry. With a $35,000 prize and his sixth career PBA Tour title, Anderson solidified his comeback as a top-tier bowler. Explore how Anderson triumphed in this high-stakes bowling tournament and what it means for his legacy.

Intense Group Stages Set the Stage

The 2025 PBA Tour Finals showcased the top eight point earners from the 2024 and 2025 seasons, split into two groups based on cumulative points. Group 1 featured EJ Tackett, Bill O’Neill, Kyle Troup, and Graham Fach, while Group 2 included Anderson, Anthony Simonsen, Jason Belmonte, and Marshall Kent. The event used dual oil patterns—46-foot Petraglia and 40-foot Monacelli—challenging bowlers’ precision and adaptability.

In Group 1, Tackett led the positioning rounds with a 488 series (266, 222), earning the top seed. Fach followed with 460, while Troup (450) and O’Neill (452) battled in the stepladder opener. Troup, a two-time PBA Tour Finals champion, outscored O’Neill 227-214 by switching to reactive equipment, but Fach defeated Troup in the next round to advance.

Group 2 saw Anderson dominate with a 279 in Game 1 and 206 in Game 2, securing the top seed. Kent earned the second seed with a 235 in Game 2, while Belmonte and Simonsen lagged. Anderson edged Kent 193-191 in a one-game match, and Belmonte surged through the stepladder, scoring 269 and 278 to defeat Simonsen and Kent. However, Anderson overcame Belmonte in a tense roll-off, striking decisively to reach the finals.

Anderson vs. Tackett: A Championship Battle

The championship match pitted Anderson against Tackett in a Race-to-Two format on fresh lanes. Tackett opened with four strikes but faltered with splits in the seventh and ninth frames, allowing Anderson to seize Game 1 with a 212-200 score. Anderson maintained his momentum in Game 2, striking consistently to win 212-189 and claim the 2025 PBA Tour Finals title.

This victory highlighted Anderson’s strategic prowess and resilience, as he navigated challenging lane conditions to outmaneuver a formidable opponent. Fans can watch the full match on BowlTV to relive the excitement.

A Comeback for the Ages

Anderson’s 2025 PBA Tour Finals win marked his first singles title since 2018, reinforcing his status as the 2018 PBA Player of the Year. “This season’s two titles show I’m back at my best,” Anderson said. “Losing to EJ at the U.S. Open motivated me to push harder, and beating him here feels incredible.” His rivalry with Tackett has elevated both bowlers, captivating PBA fans.

The PBA Tour Finals, aired live on CBS Sports Network, featured only four previous champions—Tackett, Simonsen, Belmonte, and Troup—making Anderson’s victory as the fifth champion a historic milestone. Learn more about past PBA Tour Finals winners on the PBA’s official website.

What’s Next for PBA Fans

Anderson’s triumph caps a thrilling 2025 PBA Tour season, showcasing the sport’s competitive depth. Fans can catch highlights on BowlTV or follow @PBATour on X for updates. For schedules, player stats, and more, visit PBA.com. Stay tuned for the 2026 season to see if Anderson can continue his dominance in professional bowling.

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