Ethan Fiore Captures First Career Title at 2025 PBA Players Championship

In a major showdown of youth and rising talent, 20-year-old Ethan Fiore claimed his first career PBA Tour title by winning the 2025 PBA Players Championship. Held at David Small’s JAX 60 in Jackson, Michigan, Fiore defeated 22-year-old Ryan Barnes in the final match, 232-179, taking home the $100,000 top prize and solidifying his place among the sport’s elite.

A Breakthrough Victory

Fiore entered the championship as the top seed and didn’t disappoint. His win not only marks his first PBA title but also earns him eligibility for the upcoming PBA Tournament of Champions presented by 1800 Tequila, and the prestigious PBA Elite League.

“When you put it in words, it just doesn’t sound real,” Fiore said after the win. “But we’re here and I’m happy I got the win.”

Fiore credited his strategic lane play and mental focus as keys to his success. Opting to play far left on the 37-foot Don Carter oil pattern, he stuck with his plan throughout the match. “About three frames in, we figured it out,” he explained. “We just attacked it head on.”

Barnes and the Road to the Finals

Ryan Barnes, making his third finals appearance of his rookie season, was formidable throughout the stepladder finals. He defeated Tim Foy Jr. 264-235 in the semifinal with an impressive 11 strikes out of 12. Despite the loss in the championship match, Barnes has proven himself as a rising star in the PBA.

“The kid bowled great all week,” Fiore said of Barnes. “He’s getting there. He’s close. I thought he was going to win before I was.”

Barnes acknowledged the areas he hopes to improve, saying, “I’m learning what my misses are and what my physical keys are during those moments.”

Stepladder Recap

The stepladder finals saw intense competition:

• Match 1: Tim Foy Jr. defeated Kevin McCune, 235-185

• Match 2: Tim Foy Jr. defeated Alec Keplinger, 247-215

• Match 3: Ryan Barnes defeated Tim Foy Jr., 264-235

• Championship: Ethan Fiore defeated Ryan Barnes, 232-179

Final Standings and Payouts

• Ethan Fiore – $100,000

• Ryan Barnes – $50,000

• Tim Foy Jr. – $30,000

• Alec Keplinger – $20,000

• Kevin McCune – $15,000

Looking Ahead

With one week remaining in the PBA regular season, all eyes now turn to the Tournament of Champions. This event will finalize points standings, determine the PBA Playoffs and Tour Finals fields, and conclude the regular season standings for the PBA Elite League.

For Ethan Fiore, the win is already a season-defining achievement. “I’m just going to go out there with one more week left of the swing and hope we bowl good,” he said. “Otherwise, I am content and happy with what I’ve done so far.”