Chris Via Dominates PBA Strike Derby, Defeats Top Contenders for Victory

A Stunning Finish to the 2023 PBA Season

Chris Via ended his 2023 PBA Tour campaign in spectacular fashion, defeating some of the sport’s biggest names to claim victory in the PBA Strike Derby. The Ohio native outlasted Jason Belmonte, defending champion Kyle Troup, and EJ Tackett to secure the win and take home the $20,000 top prize.

How the Strike Derby Works

The Strike Derby is a fast-paced competition where players have two minutes to roll as many strikes as possible on the 42-foot Mark Roth oil pattern. If there is a tie, the round is decided by a one-ball roll-off, with a strike required to advance.

Via’s Path to Victory

In the opening round, Via comfortably surpassed 15-time major champion Jason Belmonte, who managed only seven strikes. Via posted 11 strikes and moved on with time to spare.

“I got into a pretty good rhythm after like the first 20 or 30 seconds,” Via said. “From then on, I felt like I had a really good chance to win it all.”

The semifinal saw Via take on top-seeded Kyle Troup, the 2022 champion. While Troup managed just nine strikes, Via delivered a dominant performance with 15 strikes, securing a spot in the finals.

In the championship round, Via faced EJ Tackett, the 2023 PBA Chris Schenkel Player of the Year favorite. Tackett had expended significant energy in a high-intensity semifinal against Matt Ogle, winning 16-14.

“I definitely didn’t throw as good of shots as I did the match before. I’m gassed,” Tackett admitted. “It seemed like every good shot I threw was either a ring-10 or stone-9. I tried to dig down deep, but it was Chris’ day.”

Via stayed strong in the final, posting 15 strikes to Tackett’s seven, clinching the title with confidence.

Strategy and Execution

Unlike standard PBA matches, the Strike Derby’s rapid pace makes it difficult for players to make traditional lane adjustments. Instead of moving left as the oil pattern broke down, Via opted to throw the ball harder to maintain his effectiveness.

“I was just trying to find that balance between going insanely quick and making terrible shots while still getting a good number of shots off,” Via explained. “The lanes weren’t terribly difficult, so if I could increase my shot count, I felt my strike percentage would be around 50-60%.”

A Special Moment for Via

After securing the win, Via hoisted the trophy before handing it to his mother, Angie.

“The only other PBA trophy I have is the U.S. Open, and unfortunately, that was during COVID, so no one was able to be there,” Via said. “Obviously, this isn’t a title, but it’s still fun to win, and it was cool that she was here to see it.”

Tournament Highlights and Results

The tournament featured top PBA players, with invitations based on their 2023 season strike totals. Troup earned the top seed as the defending champion, while Marshall Kent replaced an injured Jakob Butturff.

Final Scores:

• Quarterfinals:

  • No. 1 Kyle Troup def. No. 8 Marshall Kent (11-11, X-X, X-9)
  • No. 5 Chris Via def. No. 4 Jason Belmonte (11-7)
  • No. 3 EJ Tackett def. No. 6 Jesper Svensson (12-12, X-X, X-8)
  • No. 7 Matt Ogle def. No. 2 Anthony Simonsen (15-13)
    
    

• Semifinals:

  • No. 5 Chris Via def. No. 1 Kyle Troup (15-9)
  • No. 3 EJ Tackett def. No. 7 Matt Ogle (16-14)
    
    

• Finals:

  • No. 5 Chris Via def. No. 3 EJ Tackett (15-7)

Final Standings and Prize Money:

1. Chris Via – $20,000
2. EJ Tackett – $12,000
3. Kyle Troup – $7,000
4. Matt Ogle – $7,000
5. Anthony Simonsen – $4,000
6. Jason Belmonte – $4,000
7. Jesper Svensson – $4,000
8. Marshall Kent – $4,000

Chris Via’s victory in the 2023 PBA Strike Derby showcased his ability to adapt, stay composed, and execute under pressure. With this win, he ends the season on a high note, cementing his status as one of the top competitors on the PBA Tour.