McCune Wins Four in Prelim, Reaches 2025 PBA Players Championship Finals

Kevin McCune | Picture credit: Professional Bowlers Association (PBA)

The stepladder finals of the 2025 PBA Players Championship are set, and Kevin McCune is back on the big stage. After a powerful run through Saturday’s preliminary matches, McCune will join four young contenders aiming for their first PBA title in Sunday’s championship round.

The action continues on Sunday, April 13, live on FOX at 12 p.m. ET, from JAX 60 in Jackson, Michigan.

McCune’s Path to the Finals

After finishing 9th in overall standings following 48 games of qualifying and match play, McCune entered the prelim stepladder with a chip on his shoulder. 2023 PBA Players Championship winner showed no signs of slowing down.

In the opening match, McCune took control early and defeated Nick Pate 240-186. He followed up with a dominant 246-194 win over Anthony Simonsen, then edged out Jason Sterner in a tight match by one single pin 190-189. In the final preliminary showdown, McCune outperformed Jason Belmonte — the sport’s all-time major title leader — 243-210.

Preliminary Round Results:

• Match One: No. 9 seed Kevin McCune def. No. 8 seed Nick Pate, 240–186

• Match Two: No. 9 seed Kevin McCune def. No. 7 seed Anthony Simonsen, 246–194

• Match Three: No. 9 seed Kevin McCune def. No. 6 seed Jason Sterner, 190–189

• Match Four: No. 9 seed Kevin McCune def. No. 5 seed Jason Belmonte, 243–210

Stepladder Finals Preview

McCune now faces a lineup of young, hungry players — all seeking their first PBA Tour title.

First up is No. 4 seed seed Tim Foy Jr., McCune’s close friend and doubles partner. The winner of that match will meet No. 3 seed Alec Keplinger, followed by No. 2 seed Ryan Barnes. At the top of the ladder sits No. 1 seed Ethan Fiore, who led all players through match play and is looking to claim his first career major.

Championship Round Schedule:

• Match One: No. 9 seed Kevin McCune vs. No. 4 seed Tim Foy Jr.

• Match Two: Winner vs. No. 3 seed Alec Keplinger

• Match Three: Winner vs. No. 2 seed Ryan Barnes

• Championship Match: Winner vs. No. 1 seed Ethan Fiore
  

With one of the PBA Tour’s biggest titles on the line, all eyes will be on 2023 PBA Players Chamopionship winner McCune to see if he can pull off another miracle run. But the road won’t be easy — every player left standing has shown elite form all week long.

Stay tuned to BowlingLife.eu for daily updates, highlights, and reactions as the action unfolds in Jackson! Live action will be livestreamed on BowlTV.com.