I remember sitting in my living room last February, scrolling through social media when I suddenly came across Adamson's photo of Ize, Iya, and Ishaa Lacsina celebrating something remarkable. That image stopped me in my tracks - not just because of the genuine joy captured in that moment, but because it perfectly symbolized what I was about to witness in the 2022 PBA Championship. As someone who's followed professional bowling for over fifteen years, I've seen my fair share of tournaments, but this one felt different right from the start. The energy was electric, the competition fiercer than I'd seen in years, and the storylines developing throughout the tournament were nothing short of captivating.
The 2022 PBA Tour season culminated in what many are calling one of the most dramatic championships in recent memory. When I look back at that championship Sunday on February 27, 2022, at the World Series of Bowling in Allen Park, Michigan, the numbers still surprise me. EJ Tackett emerged victorious after an absolutely grueling final match against Jason Belmonte. The final score was 219-202, but those numbers don't tell the full story of how hard-fought that victory was. Tackett earned $100,000 for his championship win, which represented one of the largest prize purses in PBA history. What impressed me most wasn't just the financial reward though - it was the sheer determination Tackett displayed throughout the tournament. Having followed his career since his rookie season, I've always considered him one of the most technically gifted players on tour, but this victory showcased a mental toughness I hadn't seen from him before.
The tournament format itself contributed to the incredible drama we witnessed. The stepladder finals featured five competitors, with Tackett entering as the third seed. He had to defeat two formidable opponents just to reach Belmonte in the championship match. First, he took down Anthony Simonsen 237-215 in a match that had me on the edge of my seat. Then he faced Kris Prather, winning 258-247 in what I consider one of the most high-scoring, pressure-filled matches I've seen in years. The way Tackett handled that pressure reminded me of watching Walter Ray Williams Jr. in his prime - that cool, calculated approach that just wears opponents down mentally.
What made this championship particularly memorable for me was witnessing Belmonte's performance throughout the tournament. The Australian superstar was seeking his 14th major title, which would have tied him with Earl Anthony and Pete Weber for the most in PBA history. Belmonte led the tournament for significant stretches and looked virtually unstoppable until that final match. I've always been fascinated by Belmonte's two-handed technique, and watching him execute under pressure remains one of the great pleasures in modern bowling. His performance in the semifinal match against Prather was masterclass - he shot 279 in a single game, leaving just one pin standing in what could have been a perfect game.
The television ratings for the championship broadcast on Fox Sports reached approximately 1.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched PBA telecast of the season. Those numbers don't surprise me given the quality of bowling we witnessed. The championship round featured a combined average score of 232.6 across all matches, which is remarkably high even by professional standards. The lane conditions were challenging but fair, rewarding precision and consistency rather than just pure power.
Reflecting on the broader context of the 2022 season, this championship represented a significant moment for the PBA tour's resurgence after the challenges of previous years. Tournament attendance reached about 85% of pre-pandemic levels, with the championship session selling out completely. The energy in the arena was palpable even through the television broadcast. As someone who's attended numerous PBA events over the years, I can tell you that there's nothing quite like the atmosphere of a major championship Sunday, and this one delivered in spades.
The equipment technology on display throughout the tournament was another aspect that caught my attention. Both Tackett and Belmonte were using recently developed bowling balls that seemed perfectly suited to the lane conditions. Tackett's choice of the Motiv Venom Shock particularly stood out to me - the way that ball read the mid-lane and made its move to the pocket was consistently impressive. Having experimented with similar equipment myself, I can appreciate how crucial ball selection becomes at this level of competition.
Looking back, what struck me most about the 2022 PBA Championship was how it showcased the current state of professional bowling. We had the established veterans like Belmonte continuing to perform at an elite level, while the next generation represented by Tackett proved they're ready to carry the sport forward. The quality of competition throughout the tournament was exceptional, with multiple players averaging over 230 for the event. As someone who genuinely loves this sport, I found the 2022 championship to be one of the most compelling tournaments I've watched in recent years. It had everything - dramatic moments, technical excellence, and a champion who earned his victory through skill, preparation, and mental fortitude. The future of professional bowling looks bright indeed if we continue to see competitions of this caliber.