By NOLAN HUGHES
PBA Communications
On Sunday, top seed EJ Tackett will meet Graham Fach in the first semifinal match of the PBA Playoffs before Chris Via and Jesper Svensson square off in the second.
The semifinals air at noon Sunday on FS1.
Tackett and Fach’s stellar seasons earned them each a bye to the quarterfinals, where they handled business against two of the game’s postseason risers. Though their matches featured vastly different scoring paces, Tackett and Fach demonstrated a clear vision to get the ball to the pocket.
In the PBA Playoffs, Via and Svensson continued to do what they have been doing all season. The veterans fought for every point and put themselves in position to advance by thriving under pressure. Three of Via and Svensson’s four combined wins this postseason have come via roll-off, setting the stage for a thrilling semifinal.
With historic seasons and career-defining opportunities on the horizon, it’s time to take a step back and revisit what these four players have achieved this season.
EJ Tackett — No. 1 seed
Simply put, Tackett is in the midst of one of the best seasons in PBA Tour history. The PBA Player of the Year front-runner has won four titles, including two majors, and finished top-five in 10 of 15 title events.
Tackett is on pace to break the single-season average record of 229.39 and a win in the PBA Playoffs, securing the $100,000 top prize, would put the single-season earnings record within his reach as well.
Top 2025 Finishes
- 1st place: U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling, PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic, PBA Shark Championship, PBA World Championship
- 2nd place: PBA Mike Aulby Nevada Classic presented by Pilgrim’s, PBA Viper Championship
- 3rd place: PBA Scorpion Championship
- 4th place: PBA Chameleon Championship, PBA Tournament of Champions
Playoffs Experience (since 2019, no event in 2023)
- Six appearances: 2019-2025 (T-1st)
- Six top-16 finishes: 2019-2025 (T-1st)
- Three top-eight finishes: 2021, 2024-2025 (T-5th)
- One top-four finish: 2025
Previous Matches
- Round 1: bye
- Quarterfinals: defeated No. 9 Anthony Simonsen, 2-1 (211-236, 258-201, 48-38)
- Average: 234.50 (two games)
Graham Fach — No. 4 seed
For years, Fach has been a popular choice for the distinction of ‘most underrated player’ on the PBA Tour. The Canadian southpaw has shed the label for good this season while proving his supporters to have been correct all along.
Fach ended his near-nine-year title drought by winning the season’s first tournament, ultimately finishing the season fourth in competition points.
Top 2025 Finishes
- 1st place: PBA Delaware Classic
- 3rd place: PBA Tournament of Champions
- 5th place: USBC Masters
Playoffs Experience
- Two appearances: 2024-2025
- Two top-16 finishes: 2024-2025
- One top-eight finish: 2025
- One top-four finish: 2025
Previous Matches
- Round 1: bye
- Quarterfinals: defeated No. 12 Kyle Troup, 2-1 (210-226, 206-205, 40-28)
- Average: 208.00 (two games)
Chris Via — No. 6 seed
There’s a monumental difference between “Remember when Player X won that tournament?” and “How has Player Y only won one title?” — and it is approximately the size of Via’s biceps. The 2021 U.S. Open champion nearly captured his second career title earlier this season, earning consecutive top-three finishes in Indiana and Illinois.
Looking past his first five frames of the PBA Playoffs, perhaps no player has looked more comfortable in Strobl Arena than Via.
Top 2025 Finishes
- 2nd place: PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic
- 3rd place: U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling
Playoffs Experience
- Four appearances: 2020-2021, 2024-2025
- Three top-16 finishes: 2021, 2024-2025
- One top-eight finish: 2025
- One top-four finish: 2025
Previous Matches
- Round 1: defeated No. 11 Ryan Barnes (188-279, 234-185, 59-40)
- Quarterfinals: defeated No. 3 Jason Belmonte (217-199, 226-175)
- Average: 216.25 (four games)
Jesper Svensson — No. 7 seed
Svensson may be known as the Iceman, but there may not be a more feared player as the temperatures rise in April and May.
This season, Svensson parlayed his second PBA Tournament of Champions triumph into his second PBA Playoffs semifinal berth.
Top 2025 Finishes
- 1st place: PBA Tournament of Champions
- 5th place: PBA Mike Aulby Nevada Classic presented by Pilgrim’s, PBA Shark Championship
Playoffs Experience
- Six appearances: 2019-2025 (T-1st)
- Six top-16 finishes: 2019-2025 (T-1st)
- Three top-eight finishes: 2022-2025 (T-5th)
- Two top-four finishes: 2024-2025 (T-3rd)
- One runner-up finish: 2024
Previous Matches
- Round 1: defeated No. 10 Jakob Butturff, 2-1 (192-200, 199-197, 60-39)
- Quarterfinals: defeated No. 2 Andrew Anderson (205-196, 192-213, 48-40)
- Average: 197.00 (four games)
PBA Playoffs TV Schedule
Semifinals — airing May 18 at noon ET | FS1
No. 1 EJ Tackett vs. No. 4 Graham Fach
No. 6 Chris Via vs. No. 7 Jesper Svensson
Championship — airing May 24 at 2:30 p.m. ET | FOX (live)
Tackett/Fach vs. Via/Svensson