The PDC Asian Tour has passed its halfway mark, with tournaments 13 through 16 recently concluded in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. This action-packed weekend saw a strong performance from Japanese players, with Haruki Muramatsu, Yuya Fukuchi, and Motomu Sakai each claiming titles. Filipino darting talent Alain Abiabi also secured a victory. Muramatsu maintains his lead in the Order of Merit, while Sakai’s impressive Sunday surge propelled him to second place. Christian Perez had a standout weekend, reaching two finals and provisionally securing a spot for the prestigious PDC World Championship, a goal for the top five players after 24 tournaments.
Japanese Dominance and Filipino Flair in Ulaanbaatar
The fourth set of four tournaments on the PDC Asian Tour delivered high drama and exceptional darts in Mongolia. With the season now past its halfway point, every leg and every victory becomes crucial for players vying for a spot in the PDC World Championship.
PDC Asian Tour 13: Muramatsu’s Masterclass
Leading the Order of Merit coming into the weekend, Haruki Muramatsu of Japan proved why he’s considered a top contender. He navigated a challenging field, including a tense 4-3 first-round victory over Aris Quijano and wins against three Mongolian players, to reach the final. There, he faced Christian Perez of the Philippines.
- Perez mounted an incredible comeback in his semi-final, turning a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 win against Lok Yin Lee.
- The final itself was a nail-biter, going to a decisive ninth leg.
- Perez had two match darts on double 11 but narrowly missed.
- Muramatsu seized the opportunity, hitting his sixth match dart to claim his fourth title of the year.
PDC Asian Tour 14: Abiabi’s Triumph
The second tournament of the weekend saw an all-Filipino showdown in the final between Alain Abiabi and Paolo Nebrida. Nebrida, a strong favorite after securing two titles in Malaysia the previous weekend, was expected to dominate.
- Abiabi defeated Lok Yin Lee 5-3 in his semi-final, while Nebrida overcame Mongolia’s Ganzorig Lkhagvasüren 5-1.
- Despite Nebrida winning the opening leg, Abiabi took complete control, winning five consecutive legs.
- He showcased superb finishing, including checkouts of 81 and 101, to secure his second career title on the Asian Tour.
PDC Asian Tour 15: Fukuchi’s Breakthrough
Sunday’s action kicked off with an all-Japanese final in Asian Tour 15, featuring Motomu Sakai and Yuya Fukuchi. Fukuchi had an impressive run to the final, eliminating several big names:
- He surprisingly knocked out Haruki Muramatsu (4-2), Tomoya Gota (4-2), and Man Lok Leung (5-2) on his way.
- In the final, Fukuchi surged to a 4-1 lead.
- Sakai fought back valiantly, forcing a deciding leg.
- Sakai then had two match darts of his own but missed them.
- Fukuchi remained composed, hitting a 17-dart leg to clinch his very first PDC Asian Tour title.
PDC Asian Tour 16: Sakai’s Redemption and Dominance
The final tournament of the weekend saw Motomu Sakai make amends for his earlier final loss, delivering an absolutely stunning performance. He defeated Christian Perez, who was making his second final appearance of the weekend.
- Sakai’s path to the final included a 4-3 win over Tomoya Gota in the Last 16 and a 5-2 victory against compatriot Ryusei Azemoto in the semi-finals.
- Perez also had a strong run, beating tour winner Yuya Fukuchi 4-3 in the Last 16 and Alexis Toylo 5-2 in the semi-finals.
- However, the final was all Sakai. He recorded the highest average of the entire weekend in a dominant 5-0 victory.
- His performance included legs in 12 (130 checkout), 14, 14, 17, and 12 (121 checkout) darts, culminating in an astonishing 108.91 average! This was a truly world-class display.
Updated PDC Asian Tour Order of Merit and World Championship Race
After 16 of the 24 scheduled tournaments, the race for the coveted PDC World Championship spots is heating up. The top five players in the Asian Tour Order of Merit will qualify for the upcoming World Championship.
Here’s a look at the current top contenders:
- Haruki Muramatsu maintains his strong lead, solidifying his position with another title this weekend.
- Motomu Sakai surged into second place thanks to his exceptional Sunday performance, including his dominant Asian Tour 16 victory.
- Man Lok Leung holds third position.
- Paolo Nebrida is currently in fourth.
- Christian Perez rounds out the top five. His impressive weekend, reaching two finals, was crucial in securing this provisional World Championship spot.
With eight tournaments remaining, the competition is fierce, and every point will count as players battle for their chance on the biggest stage in darts.
Source: Based on an article from Darts Actueel.
