PBA Playoffs Championship: Jesper Svensson vs. E.J. Tackett | PBA on FOX

Check out the PBA Playoffs Championship between Jesper Svensson and E.J. Tackett.

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PBA Playoffs Championship: Jesper Svensson vs. E.J. Tackett | PBA on FOX
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Kyle Troop 496,000 just a just a couple of grand shy of half a million dollars and uh EJ tack he could break that record the TOC champion this year Spencson starts us bat [Applause] 37 well Esper said, “Look, I came so close last year if I’m going to get this title. EJ Tacket’s a human being, too. He may be the best on the planet, but I feel pretty good about where I’m at right now, but this is the the big task of having to go through this monster, the best in the world. [Applause] That’s it. Best previous finish in the playoffs. Tied for fifth, seeking again his fifth title of 2025, the 28th of his career. And he’s only 32. As we tell you, if any of the pros on today’s show, bowl a perfect game. Everyone in America can receive a free game of bowling courtesy of Go Bowling. To pre-register, visit going.com and sign up for the Go Bowling Free America promotion. Randy, you’ve been around so many great. You’re a Hall of Famer yourself. First, let’s look at his arsenal. He is uh using the Tank Rampage Pearl on the left lane. I’ll get to the right lane in a second. Remember, dual patterns on the right lane. He’s using a subzero forge. Long pattern on the right, short pattern on the left. He prefers that right side. Said he can shape it more and doesn’t love urethane, but that’s what he’s gone with on the left as things have gone on. Yeah. And it’s not it it’s like uh he he does go to this ball that’s a micropolymer, but he’s not a huge urethane fan. And he even said as we take a look, Yasper’s Arsenal going with IQ Tour 78U on both lanes. But EJ saying that shorter pattern, the longer I stay on it, the worse it looks. Oh boy. A predicament for Spencson. Well, how do you navigate this? 1% the PBA tour average on 46710. Only made one time in the history of PBA bowling on television. That’s by the great Walter Ray Williams Jr. in Atlanta some years ago. With this young man when you saw him win the TOC, what impressed you the most? Well, he pretty much led it from start to finish and he just had a feeling of confidence from the start of the practice session on. and a seven for Spencer. And the key for Yesper for today is getting his ball to strike. He’s going to hit the pocket, but it’s getting all 10 to go down. We saw him have a lot of carry issues leading up to this point. And here we are in frame three. It’s his first seven pin. 2015 Harry Golden Pa Rookie of the Year. He was the youngest player to win the TOC when he was 20 years 357 days old back in 16 and making the second title earlier this season in Fairlon. So EJ Tacket using reactive resin on the right lane, the longer pattern, and he’s using that microcell polymer on the left lane. He’s on pace to break the single season average record of 229.39. Just the four, not the nine with it. That’s okay. And again, it’s a race to three. If we tie two games a piece, there’ll be a ninth and 10th frame roll off. See a look at poundfor-pound the strongest strike ball on EJ Tac at the bent wrist and elbow at the bottom of the swing and then just unleashing fury into the lane. Little different from our race to two last year in the final race to three. A little bit more breathing room as we take a look at our bowl TV highlights on Sunday’s semifinal action. EJ Tacket in Grand F. [Applause] EJ Tacket took game one 250 to 193. And then it’s a close one in game two, but still EJ comes out victorious 210 to 190. And a strike for the best on the planet. I want you to think of that ball he’s using that micro cells as like urethane light. He he he did he didn’t put it lightly yesterday. He didn’t put I’m going to look it’s I I I’m with you based on what he said about urethane to us yesterday on the left side. doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like it at all. No, he he just says he he’s never really matched up well with urethane. Hates it. Really does not like that at all. Same big forehit, but this time just the seven or excuse me, just the 10 pin. I think another interesting note about both players, EJ Tacket first came out on tour and signed his contract with Motive. He’s been with them ever since his entire career out here. And same with Yesper Spencson and Storm. In fact, I think Timmy Mack discovered Yesper when he was seven, like a seven-year-old. He’s 30 now. Tim Mack. Yesper was so complimentary of Tim yesterday. He said, “He knows he can finish my sentences.” Yeah, he knows my game. Knows everything about Yesper’s game. Let’s take a look at the old pattern, Johnny. Let’s do it. Powered by Kegle on the left, Bat 37 on the right. Hardwick 44. Longer pattern named after the Hall of Famer Billy Hardwick, 44 ft. On the right lane, the players are going to play closer to the track area. On the left, they’re going to use reactive or excuse me, non-reactive equipment and play a little bit farther to the outside part of the lane. We’re always trying to teach people things. Those who may not be as familiar, as locked in the sport, when you’ve got a dual pattern, makes that viewer at home that might be still learning bowling. Okay. How do they handle that? What’s the challenge of going back and forth? Well, the challenge is different equipment and then different angles of speed. Um, and but that’s what makes the greatest players in the world shine. They’re able to do just about anything they want. And um it was just a few years ago when the Wii Iceman Norm Duke won backto back weeks on dual oil patterns. Just once again showing his greatness. Norm Duke won a lot a lot. Nice shot there by EJ and the lead now 25 halfway through game number one. As you continue to bring up race to three. So if you do go down one- nothing, you can recover and be right back in it. You go down two nothing and you’re staring at a tough tough spot. Tack it getting past Anthony Simson and then grandfa. Yeah, the the playoffs are going to test you to the max. Oh, good shot, too. And by the way, Norm Duke, 40 career wins on this tour. Unbelievable. But what a run this guy’s been on, huh? EJ Tacket on his way to a third consecutive Chris Shankle player of the year honor. It It wasn’t that long ago we were having the same conversation about Jason Belmont and and that torch has been handed off to this man. But he said that bar still drives him. The Belmo bar drives him every single day. We’re going to talk more about that. living up to his standard. Tack it and Spencson. It’s hard to get to the top. EJ, explain to us how hard it is to stay there next. Welcome back to Stroble Arena. Randy Peterson, I know you’ve got something for us. I do, Johnny. Let’s go down lane side and talk to the Hall of Famer Tim Mack. Uh, Storm representative working with his man Yasper. Timmy, I know it’s early, but what’s going on with the Asper on the right lane? Lesson just got uncomfortable first couple of shots. I think he’s going to make a real good one here out of commercial. Get his hand in the right spot. We feel comfortable on both lanes. I’d expect some really good shots here coming from Yesper. All right. Thanks, Hall of Famer. Thank you. So, Senson finds himself down 24 in this race to three. $100,000 on the line. PBA playoffs final. Spenc a year ago in Florida. Fell just short. He needs that strong shot here. Timmy Matt called it. That was a good one. As you take a look at our Ball TV highlights in Sunday’s semiinal action, it was Jasper Spencson going up against Chris Vi. Yes. For guests by VI game one 207 186. It’s been game two all Spencson bowling his highest game in the playoffs. 248 172 clincher and his road beating Jacob Buttruff then Andrew Anderson and then sweeping Vi. Felt like he may have found something that second game against Vi and he’s finding something right now. Well, he’s been almost perfect on that left lane, but the one big open in the second for Yes, for the big four, but now trailing by just what is it? Four or five? I can’t see the scoreboard. Just four. Oh my. The 10 did drop. That was almost tough. Instead, it’s just the four. Well, it’s a great break here. Kicking the 10 out late. Big four looked like it was there for a minute. You see that motion that EJ just made with his hand? That means that he got around it early. Typically, when a player does that, it’s going to go high. the late arrival of the party for the 10. It did arrive and he’s able to clean that up. United States Open champion, the world champion for a third consecutive year. As we remind you, the winner of each game earns one point. It is a race to three. If we’re at two a piece after four games, it’ll be a ninth and 10th frame. A rolloff wins $100,000. That WWE belt [Music] beauty from EJ. Oh yeah, that was pretty. It was so nice. And it’s a clean wipe. Presented by Dude Wipes. Ah, nothing better than wiping the nine right there. Yeah, that facial expression says it all. And so does that. After trailing pretty much this entire game, the Esper Venson can take the lead for the first time here in the eighth. Yes, sir. for Yesper. And in the house is the twotime PBA playoffs champion Kyle Troop. That’s some friend surprising him last night. That is a That is a brother right there. Coming in Detroit having dinner with his best buddy, giving him a little advice. Yeah. Drives drive six hours. Yep. Saying, “Hey, could I have five grand if you win a 100? drive six hours of rooe on your pal. That That’s friendship. It sure is. Got it wide. Big time wide. And now he’s left himself a lot of work. The only way this gets back is if he throws it slower on that shorter bat 37 the left side here. Yeah. And and and see that’s the thing with the dual patterns on one lane. He’s trying to go a little bit more up the gut and on the left lane the shorter pattern he’s giving it some angle. Yep. You give it too much angle it leaves a bucket. Basically have to recalibrate your brain from one side to the other. you recalibrate your brain and your body at the same time, right? So, one motion could be completely different. If a player somehow able to kind of play the lane similar using just different equipment, then that’s a big advantage. But we haven’t seen that yet. EJ and Yesper playing the right lane completely different than they are the left. Yesper is using urethane on both lanes, but two different layouts. Three pins of difference right now. Dens unlucky. And look how quickly things change. Remember that dude wipe that you talked about. I do remember it. The nine pin getting shellacked. Watch the bowling ball go right by the nine pin on this shot here. This is not a good break. Watch this. You kidding me? polishes it off. But look at how much things have changed now. We’ve got drama in our opening game to the 10th. Both players working on spares. You can see the difference there. Just three. All coming down to the 10th here in game one. Big one for Tacket. Needed it and got it. Really that difference right now is the open in the second by Spenson. Tack it has not had an opening the world championship for a third consecutive year. Only Jason Belmont, Jason Couch, Narl Anthony had ever won a PBA major championship three consecutive times before this man. Soon to be three straight of the year. hated it. Lost his footing it looked like too. Yeah, some balance issues on that shot and got it wide just leaving. Gosh dang it the single pin. But you can see there loses his footing just the two pin. And now Spencson, if he just matches what EJ Tacket did in the 10th, he’s going to capture game one. Nine spare nine will do it. Tack it. You can tell upsetting himself right now because 18 for Spenson. Spenson’s going to take this opener on the right side to Quenson. Oh, the tank just got in the car in time. Did that Ken Bin just try to freeze the ice man? It tried and it failed. Good luck. The 10th thought. Watch how long this thing stands up for. Wow. It It’s like time stopped. Eight to win game number one. He told us, “Why not take on the best in the world for 100k?” I’m ready for this moment. Spenc strikes first. Finish strong with long drink. Finish strong with long drink. Sparkling refreshment. Real liquor. Please enjoy responsibly. And after that massive opening in the second, the Iceman has that late fouragger and then two of the prettiest shots in the 10th to win game one. He said, “I can’t be hovering around 198 199. I got to put together enough scoring. Got to get at least 215.” Well, he got 217 in game one, Randy. And he’s got a one- nothing lead. But this is a race to three. This is a marathon. It’s the ultimate back and forth battle to get a 100k, a WWE title belt, and playoff glory. Neither one of them has ever won the playoffs. That changes this afternoon. Spencing up [Music] one. Welcome back to PBA Playoffs finals on Fox. Back in 2022, Kyle Troop down in Jupiter won his second consecutive PBA playoffs as he defeated Tommy Jones three games to one. This was Troop’s ninth career title, his only title that year. And it made him playoffs king because he also won in 2021. He owned this event for a couple of years. One [Music] of five winners, four winners rather. above five after today with Chris Prader winning inaugural playoffs. Bill O’Neal, PBA Hall of Famer, Book Pro last year making a dream come true. And Kimberly is with the playoffs game. Mr. TR Kyle, they talked earlier about how you came in to surprise Yesper last night, but we just saw the video. You’ve won this event twice. What advice did you give Yesper? Uh, honestly, there was no advice needed, Kimberly. Uh, Yper’s been on a roll lately, you know, winning the TSC. He’s feeling himself through the playoffs. He’s confident. Uh so you know we just bring in the extra support and love uh like you mentioned especially bowling the best bowler in the world and EJ. So uh you know we’re here supporting and loving Esper. Well the fact that you mentioned coming here and supporting him. How important was it for you to come out and do that today? It’s very important. You know we’re we’re a family and uh you know I know he lives in Sweden but I feel like the uh the roles would be reversed if he did live in the States. So uh you know we got each other’s back and we’re excited to you know continue the match. Watch a good one. Thank you. Thank you. They are family. spent so much time with each other and they’re better halves as well. Yesper actually purchased a new house in Sweden. Congratulations. Him and his family. They’re moving in on Wednesday. Nothing more fun than moving. I’ll tell you what, you can really you can really tell who your real friends are when it comes time to move. It’s like, “Hey buddy, uh, I’m moving.” You doing anything on Saturday? Oh yeah, I’m busy. Oh my goodness. Seven for tack. So, what’s your thought process for him here down one- nothing? How does he bounce back? I mean, I if that’s even a thing after his first game. If you look at the ninth frame where he left the solid nine, you give him a hit there, he wins. It’s not like he’s bowling poorly. He left a 10 pin in the first, a four pin in the third, a 10 pin in the sixth. struck in the second, fourth, and fifth. I mean, again, you look at that that score sheet there, the solid nine in the ninth frame was the difference. Think about this for Spenc. He had an open. His first time on the right side in game one. Oh, a strike this time. The 10 provided some help for another clean wipe presented by Dude Wipes. Just a nice break here. Tripping that six late. A little slap in the back of the six pins noggin. Yeah, I’ll move that box for you. I know you’d come over and help me, too. 100%. Yeah, he’s dialed in. Sure is. And And you know what was interesting? When we talked with him yesterday, he said, “When I showed up to the TOC, I I said something to somebody that I never say. I said, I’m going to win this week.” I said that to his roommate, Kyle. Yeah. Said, “Kyle, I’m going to win this.” That was in practice session. And it’s not like him. I mean, it’s He’s normally not like that. He’s more a little more reserved at times. Attack it. Punches right back. It’s so hard to say that cuz it’s so hard to win. You could say you’re going to win. Yeah. No, I I mean, no, he really thought he was going to win in practice during the practice session as we take a look one more time at the beautiful powerful form of EJ Tacket. You know, as a player during practice session of an event, you get a feeling based on your ball reaction, what the lanes are giving you, and how you’re throwing it, if you have a chance. Messenger never came with the phone call and and there’s there’s times where you’re like, man, if the lanes stay the same and I keep throwing it like this, I got a pretty good chance. But have you ever showed up to a TV show and and you said to yourself, “I I know I’ve got this.” And then you catch a bad break. I mean, I I know that I know that you have. Of course. That’s just it, though. That’s my point of you you could say you could be bowling your absolute best and still get unlucky and and lose. Yes, that’s Yeah. I mean, that’s part of the game right here. Just be a couple left of that down. Maybe. So that one I felt like the first shot over there and then I burned them in front. So I took my pinky to get around it. So I I can just there. Okay. Caught a little bit of it. I’ll talk about it right after Yeser’s shot. Two time to champion, 13 time PBA tour toward the 20. Another good shot by Esper. Looks like he’s comfy now on that right lane. But a nice time to carry the seven pin because that would have given him three in a row a chance at four. 93.2% of the time the seven pin is converted. Where do you get that from? Look out. I got it. I get that from our good friends each and every week on the PBA tour, our dear friends at Lane Talk. For more information, head on over to lanealk.com and download the free app. It’ll make you a better bowler. I I promise. We’re going to finish your thought on Tacket. So, Tacket said that he tried tucking his pinky to get around it a little bit more the last time up on that left lane. Just trying to create a little bit different rotation. Yeah. And you can see by the tracer, it was just slightly inside of the last shot that he struck with on the left lane. Again, two different patterns. If you’re just tuning in, folks, the long pattern on the right, that’s the 44 ft Hardwick. And on the left, if you’re an animal lover, it’s the 37 ft bat. Spenson looking for back-to- back titles along with that TOC. Only players to have won back-to-back titles since him in 2020 are Tacket three times and Anthony Simson. pretty amazing company when you think about it. And then speaking of that company, wasn’t it interesting yesterday talking with EJ about greatness and he said, “Look, it was hard enough for me to get to the top.” He said, “But it is extremely hard. It’s even harder to stay on this level because you know every time you show up what you’re going to get from the competitor.” Beauty from Tacket. And these two have some title history. Flashback nine years ago, PBA swing, PBA open right in this building. It was EJ Tacket. They look a little younger here. My goodness. Jasper Spence. He beat him 212 to 199. Then his third career PBA title. He’s got 27 now. [Applause] Man, what I wouldn’t give to look 10 years younger. [Applause] Hey, back to back. And I give it back if I can be as good as these two players. It was funny when Yesper won after the TSC. I went out and I handed him the score sheet and I said, “Congrats, champ. Welcome back.” And he says, “Now I’m tied with you. 13 titles.” I thought that was pretty cool. That’s what we love about both these guys, Randy. And I know it’s important in this sport. These guys respect the history of Yes, they do. Yep. Very much so. [Music] Spencing counters. This is a duel in game two. It’s Fenson up one- nothing trying to take full control. Tomorrow, it’s the biggest day in motorsports as the greatest spectacle in racing. The 109th Indianapolis 500 comes to Fox with New Garden going for a historic three-piece dose of New Garden. Coverage will begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern tomorrow on Fox. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. could have been better. What happened? Looked like he he lost his footing halfway through his approach. Seen players do it that have their thumb in the ball. I’m not sure. I I can’t remember the last time I saw a two-hander pull back that deep into the approach. Remember Tacket on this left side came up a little gimpy. Yeah, he had a little footing issue on that left lane as well. Interesting. No issues there. Except that. Wow. Except that dude. So on target, too. Hey, and while we have a moment, I’d like to congratulate you and your wife and your family. You are a you’re a new father. Congratulations. Andrew came into the world what, two uh three, four weeks ago. About two and a half weeks ago. Shut up, boy. Congratulations. Congratulations, Johnny. Thank you. The credit goes to mom who was a champ. They’re back home. He’s watching his first show right now. Well done, my brother. Yeah. Thank you. 36 hours of labor, Randy. 36 hours. That’s That’s That’s almost as much time as it takes to move you. We got a battle here between Spencson and Tacket on Fox. That’s a good idea to stand up. Welcome back to Stroble Arena. PDA playoffs finals. CJ Tacket finds himself down one game to none. This is a race to three. John Fanta, Randy Peterson with you. Randy, I want to ask you this question before we get back in the action. When did it occur to you that this guy could be legendary? EJ. Yeah. When I first saw him. When was that? It was God, it was like 2016 when he first came out on tour. Mhm. You just knew right away. Oh, yeah. Shots like that. He’s been on tour for 13 years. trying to find where his first show was. But yeah, I mean, the first time I saw him throw a ball, I’m like, “Wow, this guy’s going to be good.” Now, of course, I didn’t know he was going to be this good. 2015 Le Sports Open was his first title and then he won four times in 16. Oh boy. Oh, boy is right. Oh no. And he paid for it. Damn it. Max just went from 270 to 246. Just a full yank right up the lane into the face and leaves the big four. He’s going to throw this one really hard. Try to bounce one out. Oh, only ever been converted once on TV. Wow, close. It’s a heck of an attempt, but look how much things just changed. Yeah, he got the 10 to come back out, but he needed it to go across obviously and got exciting there for a split second. And now look how the max scores have changed. Just like that, it’s Fenson retakes the lead. Race to three. Six. Yeah, just a pinch tight. You can see how he’s playing the longer pattern just inside of third arrow out to about 10. again more in that track zone or track area. Spencing got off to a slow start to his season. He said, “My mentality is you don’t quit.” It’s been his mindset the last couple of years. He said, “Just make the playoffs and then I like the one v1 setting.” And again, a reminder our format. It is a race to three. Winner of each game earns a points. Venson took game number one. If tied after four, we’ll have a ninth and tenth for a rolloff. Yes. For the Lucky Larson Masters champion, as you said, runner up the year prior. I was there. Called it. Beautiful Helenberg, Sweden. Myself and Dave Ryan called that. Spencson lives in Goththingberg. Oh, that one peeled. 16. That thing went sideways quick when it got about halfway down the lane. Just a little bit slower and that caused that big change of direction. As we take a look, his ball speed was just a bit softer on that shot. And a nice break tripping out the 47. He’s playing that left lane a good five boards to the left than he is the longer pattern on the right lane. I think EJ’s about nine different cleans it up. It’s funny because EJ Tacken actually told PBA.com he said the left-handed players have had trouble stringing strikes together at Strobble. He said I don’t think it’s execution or even ball choice. They just haven’t been able to get the corners to fall down. And yes, per said those corner pins, they weigh three times more. Yeah, they they the left-handers have over the years struggled in the Strobble Arena to strike or to carry. Tack it needs to find his groove and he’s not right now. Pretty good position at the Arrows in about a board and a half. A little bit farther right down lane. I don’t think this was very good out of his hand. And that’s why it didn’t pick up. You could see him making that motion again. He didn’t quite have the roll needed to have that ball pick up and get to the pocket. Think about it. He had four out of five strikes and he walked into the seventh with a max score of 270. Now he’s going in the ninth with a max score of 222. Come on. You make one mistake and in the seventh there there’s a look. second, fourth, fifth, sixth, big four for EJ in the seventh. Spence in game one had the big four in the second. EJR was still able to to come away with a victory. Can EJ do the same here in game two? It was better much. All right, he sets up the 10th if he if Excuse me. If Desper doesn’t strike here in the ninth frame, EJ can snatch game two in the 10th. And he’ll finish on the right side. We’ll tack it in this second game, which is the one that he prefers. Feels like he can shape things more. He has more control with it being the longer Hardwick. All right. And if he strikes here, he’ll need a double eight in the 10th to shut out EJ Tacket. Spencson has not had an open in this game in this 44. Spencing with a big time strike. Pressure applied. I think a little bit of pressure alleviated because he struck on that ball and now he has a chance to shut out EJ. If he didn’t strike there, he could have lost. Alleviated for him, right? Especially with a one- nothing lead, too. Tack needs this. You go down 20 in a race to three. Yeah. Not good. It went and a boom for the Iceman. A blizzard brewing for Yesper Spencson. Remember last time up on this lane, Yesper went high, avoided a disastrous split, only leaving the 610. This time just a little bit faster. Ball speed does the trick. And now a strike and eight away from claiming game two. Missed the big one. Said he’s as confident as ever. Feels really good about everything. felt like he grew as the playoffs went on. Went over VI. Now Spenc. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Wow. Man, did he give that shot the business, taking advantage of a couple of nice breaks, which is what you have to do to win in any sport. And Yesper does just that. Now needs eight to go up 20 in this race to three. Wow. Wow. Wow against the best on the planet. Coldblooded Spenc. We talked about at the top of the show, two of the most dynamic players on the tour. And this man, Yesper Spencson, he is not disappointing. Well, for EJ Tacket, it’s not that he is bowling poorly, but just a couple of mishaps in the in the seventh and open that proves to be the real difference. EJ looking at another ball there in the 10th frame, but he’s got to find something and find it quick. You know, we talk about the theater of sports. When the all-time greats that have proven so much find themselves in a a deep hole, there is some theater involved to, okay, how are they going to take out the shovel and attempt to dig out of it? Yeah. I mean, he’s doing that right now. He’s processing right now. He’s like, well, um, I’m going to make some kind of change. I’m going to leave it all out there, but I’m not going down without a fight. He’s got to find the right ball, pick the right line on both lanes, and then he has to out execute for Spencson. 225 to 220. The scoring went up in this second game. Spenson up for the task. And now EJ Tacket finds himself down two nothing. Kimberly is with Tacket who now finds himself in this hole. EJ, I see the frustration all over your face from your point of view. What’s happening out on the lanes? Well, the first game I bowled really well. Got an unfortunate break there in the ninth, but you know that’s bowling. That’s how it goes. Um then I shot myself in the foot the second game, threw a really bad shot in the seventh and uh ended up costing me that game and Yesper did what Yeper does and uh shut me out. So um plain and simple I got to throw more strikes. Well, you were down two, but you are not out. What adjustments do you make for the next game? Yeah, I think I’m going to make a ball change here in this right lane and um it looked pretty good there. Uh I think I’m going to go to the Venom Shock and uh then it’s all about execution after that and hopefully throw throw a few in a row here and uh apply a little bit of pressure. Thank you for your time. Thank you. a change to the venom shock because there may be some folks shocked that he finds himself down 20 because Tack’s been on fire all throughout this season, but he has found himself in an igloo courtesy of Spenson who’s up 20. Got a text from his wife Natalie. She said that uh EJ actually made his first ever telecast in Milwaukee 12 years ago today. Wow. 2013. What a 12-ear run it’s been. Spenc with a two nothing lead in this race to three. And this is not as smooth a start as he had in game two. That is for certain. Starts on this left side and cleans it up for the spare. That’s great cover. Well, take a look at the footwork of both of our players. It’s uh very different and also very unique. Yesper on the right lane, EJ on the left. And take a look at what they’re doing with their footwork. EJ much more traditionally, keeping the feet nice and close together as he goes through his approach. And then Yasper right before the pivot step, his feet spread apart. Very unique, very different. How was your footwork? I don’t know. Terrible. It was more traditional. More like EJ much closer together. Hated it. Way right. EJ made the ball change going to the Venom Shock. He felt that the other ball was kind of quitting on him a bit down lane. The Venom Shock much more responsive down lane. And it looks like EJ in order to get back into this needs to figure out a way to inject some venom into the Iceman. what you did there. Right now, he he’s also just got to focus on himself, too, because he turned around. He didn’t even look at that shot in his head a little bit. Needs to clean this up. Does John, if you if you put a curtain up after the ball left the player’s hand, if you put a curtain up just on the other side of the arrows, the player’s going to he’ll be able to tell you whether or not that’s going to hit the pocket. Maybe not strike, but good shot. You can feel it right out of your hand. You can see the location. she know whether or not it’s got a chance. He knew that was wide right and it had zero chance. Again, dual pattern, the Bat 37 on the left lane, the Hardwick 44 on the right. There’s the bat pattern. Oh boy. Fighting. Should have thrown that in the break. Gosh darn it. should come open. This ball checks very early for EJ going down the lane. Gets the nine out. That’s the good break. The 10 goes late. So now just the 36. I’ll get two, please. He asked for it in request granted. Attacking. He wanted a big start to his game. Three. Looked like he got that one to the dirt a little early. Back to the 30-year-old Spencson. And again, look how tight both game one and two coming down to the 10th frame. [Music] He is pure locked in. Again, you can see by Strike Track just just how much straighter up the lane he’s going on that longer pattern. A board and a half inside of third arrow to about 10 11 12 down lane. And that’s not a lot of belling. That’s not covering a lot of ground. That’s pretty straight through the front part of the lane. keeping everything in front of him on the long pattern. TOC champ, couple of top fives, Nevada Classic Shark Championship now bowling his best. He said, “Look, I there’s no way that you could fully duplicate week after week on tour.” He said, “So that’s why January, February, March, I can get off to slow starts. It’s it’s just how things sometimes go.” But he did reach a point this season where he thought during a little break he’s like, “I don’t know if I want to keep doing this this season. I’m goaling so poorly.” Yeah. You know, he didn’t mean that. I mean, at the time, you know, what he said, right? No. Yeah. And I heard the same thing, but my gut was like, well, yeah. Yeah. As a player, you go through the lulls and Yeah. You’re like, man, do I want to do this anymore? And then you come out of it and you’re like, you know what? and I’m going to work harder and I’m going to get out there and I’m going to kick their ass and I’m going to work harder to do that. That’s what Yesper has done. That’s what he’s been doing throughout his entire career. The 10 top fives for this man, a couple of majors and man oh man, he’s having himself a tough not good enough. Remember we talked about the ball change that he made going to the Venom shock that it was more responsive down lane and you can see it right there. It was so much more responsive right by the nine pin as he said not good enough three straight spares. You think about this guy on his way to a third straight player of the year honor. the last couple of people to win three consecutive player of the year honors. Jason Belmont 2013 to 15 Walter Ray 96-98. Then you have to go back to Earl Anthony 91 or 81 to 83. There’s a beauty. Earl also did it 74 to 76. Mark Roth from 77 to 79. kept the ball speed up on that shot and this time he gets it to go right through the front, hold its line and goes right through the one three. Perfect. In fact, Randy, from 1974 1984, only one year did Earl Anthony or Mark Roth not win player of the year. Yeah, they they were really good, Johnny. the 10. And for the first time in two and a half games, we’re starting to see that carry issue that the Esper’s had over here in the Stroble Arena as a Southpaw trying to get the corners out. Frame before on the left, he left that solid eight pin. This time it’s the Ripper 10. Yes, just one win, one game away from fighting an upgrade back to Goththingberg, Sweden. Registration for the 2025 PBA LBC National Championships is now open to bowlers of all skill levels. The PBA LBC National Championships is returning to the Chicago area. Includes a division for everyone. You can compete in singles as well as optional doubles and team events. Even combine your scores with the pros. Enter today at pba.com. He can hire three moving companies for his move on Wednesday with with this prize. Doesn’t have to move a thing. Go out golf, do whatever you want. Wow. It is his world on this Saturday. He got that one back a bit, John. That was a about as far left as you can get one back from. And Yesper just just got it back from that spot. So, he knows that’s a good piece of real estate right there to get his ball back to the pocket. Now, can EJ double up? Remember, last time on this lane, he left a solid nine. Can he start picking up steam? Yes, he can. Here comes Tack. That’s a pretty big move, too, with the ball change. More response, more angle, and this time all 10 down. He’s a busy man, too. Owning a bowling center, having a child. Work a lot. Being the best in the world in this sport, and that was far from ideal. You do that so you don’t have to throw it over there. God, your hand here so you can go more here. He doesn’t want his hand going around that ball there. more up the back so he can keep it more in front of him, meaning straighter through the front part of the lane. Yeah, big opportunity right there for EJ. Instead, it was an errand shot and just the two pin, but he finds himself ahead of Spencson having to win. Yes, for Spencson just a win away from the playoffs title. attack it trying to force a game four on Fox. Two bowlers blessed with championship DNA who know that momentum can shift at the snap of a finger. That this game demands everything you have to the last frame. Yespers Fenson EJ Tacket in the PBA playoffs Championship. Will the momentum shift in this championship showdown? Yes, for Spenc up two games to none on the best in the world and soon to be three straight years as the Chris Shankle player of the year. EJ Tacket Spencson finds himself down seven as he hits the sixth. John Fanta, Brandy Peterson, Kimberly Presler. Wishing all of you a good holiday weekend and start to your summer and glad that you’re starting a big Saturday on Fox with us for the lead. Oh boy. 47. Too much up the lane and he pays for it this time. It could be just the just the piece of oxygen or little bit of a a bit of a a break that EJ Tacket needs. 1.4%. open. Maybe, just maybe, just enough for Tac to get back into this. First real time this deep into a a matchup that we’ve seen Spenson blink. Spenson was down by as much as 25 early game one. As you said, that was early when he had that open, right? That was the biggest That’s the biggest deficit we’ve seen this afternoon. Haven’t seen it this late. Needs to respond and does go. Matt scores. Tack it at 246. All right. Since the ball change from game two, attack it has struck once on the right lane and that came the last time he was on the right lane. The right lane which is his preference between these two 44 Hardway attack it. Here he comes in here. This is a nice break here because this is a little bit more than high flush. I mean 479 was standing but he caves them all in. [Music] Tack it is starting to sizzle in Detroit. He’s playing the pair of just 13 boards difference. You can see the angles are completely opposite of one another. And that may have a tendency to throw off a little bit of rhythm. But the last two shots here, you can see when a player goes down to the floor like that, they love the shot they just threw. And this guy loves a new challenge. And this this is certainly a challenge. You’re down two nothing. You got to be thinking if you’re Spencer. Pretty big hill to climb, brother. Big big hill to climb. But if there’s anyone who can climb it. Well, either one of these players capable, best in the world. But I see what you’re saying. Yeah, if anybody could do it, you would think EJ Tack can do it. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Game three far from over. There’s a rev rate. And watch this. Just a collision. That was nasty. It’s a swipe across the face. Long walk. He liked it. and Spencson staying in it in game three. That was really big because that sets up the 10th, but not only that, it gives EJ just a little something something to think about. So, a triple for Senson since the open in the sixth. Got to execute on this right lane where he has struck the last two. [Music] He has struck the last three. Beautiful shot by EJ T. And now just striking six. It’s a capture game three. What a beauty. This is inside fourth arrow. You said it a strike and six to force a game four in this race to three. The US Open champion now three straight world championships for the seventime major champion and dies. Ain’t done yet. No, he’s not. Done yet, baby. Uh, I just want to say a little surprised yet, baby. [Applause] EJ Tacket, here he comes. America That is the moment of the match brought to you by Pilgrims. Chicken can be boring, but Pilgrims is turning chicken nuggets upside down. I love it. You love it. Put it in a nugget. Tack it. Still has a pulse in the playoffs. What a great finish for EJ Tack. took advantage of the opening and that’s what great champions that’s what they do. And the plot thickens to a game four partner. This is the theater that we came for. Yep. The world’s best have been punching back and forth. Spenson feeling as confident as he ever has coming in here as TOC champion with a two nothing lead. But you got to go through this mountain. Mount Tacket. Four titles this season. So now what are you thinking heading into game four besides the obvious tack can force a roll off. Yeah. So I think EJ’s got a really nice look on the left lane. He said during the break to his tour repler on the left lane it’s like the gutter is the fourth board. So I’ve got the fifth and sixth board and maybe be able to hit the seventh board to get to the pocket. Does his ball reaction hold up on the right lane? We’re in Mottown. Smokeoky Robinson once wrote that song. Get ready by the Temptations. America, get ready for game four. Here comes Tacket Spencson trying to hang on. Welcome back PBA Playoff Championship. EJ Tacket was down two nothing. He made some adjustments. He’s cut it to 2-1. We head to game four in our race to three. tack it. Eight out of the last nine strikes to finish game three. Keep it rolling here. He does. He said that he would make some adjustments. Told Kimberly that. We’re watching it all play out now. Randy Now, Ken Spencson, who’s typically got this demeanor, unfazed, unafraid of the moment, told us you can’t bowl afraid against EJ Tacket. Can he hang on? If we’re even at two after four, we go to a ninth and 10th rolloff. [Applause] Well, it’s just going to come down to execution. If you do make a bad shot, avoiding a big split is paramount. Trying to become the second bowler to win PBA playoffs after finishing second prior year. The real deal, Bill O’Neal, now PBA Hall of Famer. Yep, he did it. Lost to prey there. Came back and won. And that’s a good sign. I know it’s early, but anytime you see the four snap the seven out like that for Spencson, that is a good sign. Yeah, that that is just technique for son. 13 time champion. Between these two men, you get 40 PBA Tour titles. 40. Oh boy. The 10. Wasn’t a good shot. You’re fortunate here. Good that it hit the pocket though. Yeah, he just looked up as I was teleustrating that break point. I think he’s a bit surprised that it got back as far as it did. Yeah. But again, we talked about the ball change for him on that right lane. and going to the venom shot, which is much more aggressive, more angular. But I promise you, he wasn’t trying to get it to that spot down lane. Like he said though, avoiding the split, avoiding that big mistake. That’s what each of these games has come down to. Tack it beating Anthony Simson and Graham Faw to get here. Senson beating Jacob Butruff. Andrew Anderson and Chris Vine. Six. What do you say when you’re out on a bad first date and you want to get out of there? That’s exactly what this ball did early. It checked. How many bad first dates have you been on? Don’t stop. Seriously, just asked me that. Okay. Well, I mean, okay. Too many. You won 13 more more titles than than those. I have to, you know. All right. Moving on. Is that online? the uh it was it was one right through the front of the one that laid off on the shot before. It was fairly close. I mean, it’s probably just a one in one or something like that just to find a little through the front. Has to be. Has to be. Has to be. Spencson has regained momentum. Back to back lefts on the seven for the Iceman. looking to pick up his second $100,000 check of the 2025 season for a guy who finished 66th at the US Open, 33rd the Masters, 81st of the players. He is seventh on the points list and TOC title will change that when he beat Jacob Butler but he didn’t stop here. He has picked up ste bowling his best at the best time of year with his best friend Kyle Troop looking on. Doubles partners, best buds. Four men have won playoff titles. Fenson would join troop. They’d account for three of them. The doubles partners and best friends as Fenson wins. Attack ahead to get that one here in the fourth. Beats Fence in the blank. [Music] Well, it appears to me that EJ likes the right lane better than the left and Yesper likes the left lane better than the right. Be good. Be good. Be good. Yeah, it was great. So, with that being said, EJ is going to finish this game on the right lane and Yper is going to finish this game on the left lane, adding to the theater of this match. We told you coming on that we were in for a treat, that you were all in for a treat, and these two have delivered. Elite Bowling living up to the billing here as we hit the fifth. Spenson perfect through four. And again, this is an uninterrupted showdown. No commercial. Stay in your seat. Yeah, I was waiting for that. You could just kind of see that creeping in. He’s He’s playing such a tight line on that right lane. And if he misses target inside, there’s no way it’s going to hold its head. Does he mean to be playing as tight of a line? Yeah. Well, he’s playing it that line because it’s a longer pattern and he knows that he can’t create a lot of angles, so he can’t really give it up to the left. But you keep creeping in and in and in. He can create a little bit of dangle on that lane, but just a little. And the line knows that. So the tendency for a mistake would be to miss in, not out, because you know you can’t miss to to the left if you’re Yasper. Now on the left lane, he can miss a little bit to the left and get it back. It looked like his ball speed was a pinch slower that time, which is also not going to help it stay online. But again, I think that his best lane of the two is the left lane. and he gets the finish there, but he’s got to get through the right lane with enough strikes to have a chance when he gets to the 10th. As the season intensifies, I intensify what he told us. A major champion this year, the Sano That was a first date that ended with a kiss just shy of midnight. I feel like that’s when he looks early when I get it going. But okay, so then so then move one right one right so we get a little extra scoop. I mean looking move one. Yeah, just move one right. Timmy’s talking to Yesper about what to do on the right lane. He’s going to have it move aboard right next time up. That was so fun to watch. Spectacular. [Applause] Spectacular. Things are picking up in Mottown. And the number one player in the world fighting and clawing trying to get back in this just trails by nine and can take the lead for the first time here in game four. attacking leads. He’s got his lines really good now on that left lane. [Applause] Up the back with the hand and up the lane and it’s 10 in the pit. How good is this? Phenomenal. I mean, this is where for me, I just like to sit back and watch and drink it in [Applause] punch. Counter punch. by nine points this time. Keeps the speed up on that right lane and now back to the left where he has been perfect here in game four. and where he will finish. Oh, he loves this left side. He won the first two games. He dropped game three and he finds himself up trying to close it out. This is really high flush. I mean, the ball actually did go past the eight pin. And now tack it where he will finish this game on the side that he prefers. 44 hardware. Tack it. Good break. It was a little slow, a little grabby and inside a target and he avoids little hook over there. A disastrous split right there. Could have been a fivecount split instead just the 47. my opinion now. Yes. Spencson is one strike on the right lane away from winning this. Have a reck please. That’s for a rerrack. And this is the lane that tacket does not like as much. Damn it. DJ do as much ei right now going at 227. Yes at 248 go. Come on to have any chance must strike situation for [Applause] Tacket. the 10 HS the urethane 10. He got it into that flat 10 zone with the urethane light ball and it flat tended on him. This is the one monster that he has not conquered on to work. Just a pinch faster for him on that left lane on on that shot. That was just enough to leave the flat 10. If he strikes here, basically just needs seven pins. Well, be a strike. And just looking at the numbers, Johnny, I think nine spare with that shot is a really good thing. Prepped in again. Threw it harder and that was the only thing that saved that shot. [Music] And just a mark away now. What a month it’s been for him. Month and change once you win tournament of champions in Fairlon, beating Jacob Butruff, finding his stride and getting a second major. That last major had come in 2016. Now trying to win the belt, win $100,000. Just bought a house. He moves on Wednesday in Sweden. The Iceman. Easy. Six for Spencson. Make this and then stay behind the foul line and just hit pins. Just needs this and one. And he hasn’t missed a six pin since 2017. Okay, I’m guessing but I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him miss a six bin. Just needs one. And he’s going to put another $100,000 check in his pocket to go along with the one that he put in his pocket in April over at Riviera Lanes in Akran. How about 200k? A little over a month. It’s the Iceman’s time. [Applause] Yes. Spencson. You are the PBA playoffs champion. [Applause] Play of the year. Appreciate it. Good job. That celebration is presented by John’s Crazy Socks. Socks that make you happy. And that’s the reality of a lifechanging month and change for this [Applause] man, the man from Sweden who has found his best again. [Music] with his best friend Kyle Truth and Doubles partner. I can tell you over the years, our players, our competition have never disappointed on Fox. And what a way to close it out. Wow. Talk about a match for the ages with his family and Jolene has a daughter Meera. A special special moment. And for EJ Tacket, it’s always a pleasure to watch him. I love this city so much. Thank you guys. Thank you. Right here in Iconic Strug Arena in a city that just one of the greatest bowling cities in the world. You did get one. You got $100,000. Yes, we’re getting a little redemption here today. Last year, you were second in this event. What does it mean to you to finally be in the winner circle of the PBA playoffs? It’s just madness right now. I don’t know what to say. I’m uh so thankful for everybody coming out. I mean, it’s packed in here and uh this is what we all strive for and want to do. So, um, yeah, I got to thank, you know, everybody here, Kyle and them, obviously. I mean, they come here from, you know, uh, from Kentucky to to support me. So, I got a great support system and a second family over here. And, yeah, I’m thankful. And let’s talk about that support system. I saw you over there hugging your best friend, but you also have a ton of fans around the world and of course Jolene back home and Mera in Sweden. They’re watching you. What do you have to say to your supporters? Um, again, I’m just so thankful all the sacrifices they make for me to be able to live this life and um, you know, uh, I’m sure they enjoy this moment just as much as I am. But yeah, I’m I’m just forever thankful and to all my sponsors, Storm, Vice, Bify, and, uh, Gap Bowling, Patrick Bak. Um, without those guys, neither of this is possible. So, thank you so much. Long journey to get here throughout the season. What was your favorite moment through it all? Well, I I had it a little wrong. I thought I was going to end bold last in in the fourth game. So, I messed that up a little bit, but maybe that was for the good. So, uh um we did, you know, the first two games, uh I did what I’m supposed to do and then game three, EJ did what he’s supposed to do. And uh yeah, it was a great match and um I know EJ is disappointed right now, but just got to say he’s the best player in the world and uh he probably deserves all the titles we b for, but yeah, I’m glad I could steal this one. Well, you said it last week. You said to be the best, you got to beat the best. Congratulations on this hard-fought win. Now a 14time PBA Tour champion. For more information on the upcoming 2026 PBA Tour season and tournament schedule, log on to PBA.com. Randy Peterson, a final thought from you, my partner and friend. Well, you know, we we’ve all We’ve always known about his talent, his greatness, right? And then he kind of had a lull. And for him, a lull is maybe not going out and winning two, three, four tournaments in a year. But just, you know, he stayed strong throughout last year’s season, which was really tough on the south. found a way to win late and then he did what he did in Akan, winning the TSC for a second time.