The 2026 PDC Asian Tour’s third stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, proved to be a historic moment for Filipino darts. After failing to secure a title in earlier events, the Philippines erupted with two victories. Aris Quijano claimed the first win, but it was Paolo Nebrida who stole the show, securing an impressive double victory, including a sweet revenge win, making him the standout performer of the weekend. League leader Haruki Muramatsu also continued his dominant run, adding another title to his tally.
The 2026 PDC Asian Tour continued its exciting journey, making its third stop in the vibrant capital of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Following thrilling events in the United Arab Emirates and Japan, this leg promised intense competition across four separate tournaments, and it certainly delivered a spectacle.
Filipino Breakthrough: Quijano Claims Historic First Title
The Malaysian leg marked a significant turning point for the Filipino contingent. Having been unable to secure a title in the previous two tour stops, the pressure was on. The breakthrough came on the long opening day with the ninth event of the season.
It was **Aris Quijano**, a 38-year-old talent and recognized Master by the National Darts Federation of the Philippines, who etched his name into the history books. Quijano demonstrated exceptional skill, navigating a challenging path to the final:
- He overcame **Paolo Nebrida** in a tough quarter-final match.
- He then eased past **Ryuta Arihara**, a previous title winner this season, in the semi-finals.
- In the final, Quijano delivered a commanding performance to defeat fellow countryman **Christian Perez**, securing the first Filipino title of the 2026 campaign.
Nebrida’s Swift Revenge: A First Title and a Statement
No sooner had Quijano celebrated his victory, than another Filipino star stepped up. **Paolo Nebrida**, clearly motivated by his earlier exit against Quijano, was determined to make amends. The 31-year-old ‘Pow’ showed incredible resolve in the very next event (Event 10).
Nebrida’s journey to his first title was impressive:
- He smoothly progressed through the early rounds.
- He defeated **Eduardo Largo** in the quarter-finals.
- He then overcame **Christian Perez** in the semi-finals, setting up a highly anticipated final.
- In a thrilling climax, Nebrida gained swift and sweet revenge, defeating **Aris Quijano** in the final to claim his own title. This set the stage for an even more memorable weekend for the Filipino star.
Muramatsu Maintains Dominance with Third Season Title
Sunday saw a familiar face return to the winner’s circle. League leader **Haruki Muramatsu** of Japan continued his phenomenal form, securing his third title of the season in Event 11. Muramatsu, who had already won the first two events of the campaign, completed his hat-trick with a truly dominant display.
He recorded a commanding victory over China’s **Lihao Wen** in the final, dropping a mere **five legs** throughout the entire tournament – a testament to his consistent excellence. Three of those legs were conceded in a challenging semi-final against Motomu Sakai.
Double Delight for Nebrida: A Weekend to Remember
The high-quality weekend of darts was rounded off spectacularly by **Paolo Nebrida**. Demonstrating incredible consistency and skill, Nebrida returned to claim his **second title in as many days** (Event 12), marking his **eighth career accolade** on the Asian Tour.
His path to this double victory was nothing short of dominant:
- He reached the semi-finals conceding just a single leg.
- He comfortably defeated **Motomu Sakai** in the semi-finals.
- The four-time PDC World Darts Championship qualifier then secured the title with a **5-3 victory** over another of Japan’s top talents, **Yuta Hayashi**, cementing his status as the star of the Malaysian leg.
The Road Ahead: Tour Heats Up
With twelve events now successfully completed, the 2026 PDC Asian Tour is fast approaching its halfway point, and the Order of Merit standings are beginning to take definitive shape. The darting world’s attention now turns to the exciting upcoming stops, which include Mongolia, Singapore, a return to the Philippines, and finally concluding in China by mid-September. The competition remains fierce as players vie for crucial ranking points.
Source: Based on an article from Darts World Magazine.
