PBA Slam 2019: Complete Tournament Results and Championship Highlights
I remember sitting in the stands during the 2019 PBA Slam finals, feeling that unique mix of nervous excitement that only professional bowling can create. The air in the arena was thick with anticipation, and I couldn't help but think about how these athletes must be processing their own emotions backstage. That's when Jason Belmonte's quote from earlier in the tournament came to mind - "I'll take that pain and I'll take that regret anytime." Little did I know how prophetic those words would become throughout this incredible competition that brought together the sport's biggest names in a spectacular display of skill and mental fortitude.
The tournament format itself was particularly brutal this year, featuring 16 of the world's top bowlers competing in a single-elimination bracket across two days of intense matchups. What made the 2019 edition special was the introduction of the new lane conditioning pattern that averaged about 42 feet in length with a ratio of approximately 3.5:1, creating conditions that challenged even the most experienced professionals. I've been covering bowling tournaments for over fifteen years now, and I can tell you this was one of the toughest oil patterns I've seen in recent memory. The first round saw some surprising upsets, with defending champion EJ Tackett barely scraping through against Tom Daugherty with a final score of 258-241. What impressed me most was watching Tackett adjust his approach mid-match, something that takes incredible mental flexibility under pressure.
Saturday's quarterfinals brought even more drama, particularly in the match between Wes Malott and Jakob Butturff. Malott, who I've always considered one of the most consistent players on tour, was down by nearly 30 pins going into the eighth frame when he staged what I can only describe as one of the most remarkable comebacks I've witnessed live. He threw five consecutive strikes to close out the match, finishing with a 279 against Butturff's 268. The crowd erupted in a way that reminded me why I fell in love with this sport - those moments of pure, unscripted excitement that you just can't replicate. Meanwhile, on the adjacent lane, Jason Belmonte was demonstrating why he's won so many major titles, dismantling Shawn Maldonado with a near-perfect 289 game. Belmonte's unique two-handed style seemed perfectly suited to the lane conditions, and his ball reaction was consistently stronger than anyone else's throughout the early rounds.
Sunday's semifinals created what many are calling the most dramatic moment in PBA Slam history. Jason Belmonte faced EJ Tackett in a rematch of last year's final, and the match lived up to every bit of the hype. Both players traded strikes through the first seven frames before Tackett left a devastating 7-10 split in the eighth frame. The gasp from the audience was audible - you could feel the collective disappointment. But what happened next was pure magic. Tackett, showing the heart of a true champion, converted the nearly impossible split, keeping his hopes alive. The energy in the building shifted instantly. I found myself standing alongside other reporters, all of us equally stunned by what we'd just witnessed. Belmonte would eventually win the match 268-259, but it was that split conversion that everyone kept talking about hours later.
The championship match pitted Jason Belmonte against Wes Malott in what turned out to be a classic battle of contrasting styles. Belmonte's high-rev game against Malott's powerful, straightforward approach created a fascinating tactical duel. Malott started strong with four consecutive strikes, while Belmonte struggled slightly with carry in the early frames. I remember thinking Malott might run away with it, but then Belmonte found his rhythm, stringing together six straight strikes from the fifth through tenth frames. The turning point came in the ninth frame when Malott, needing a strike to stay in contention, left a 10-pin that he barely converted. The final score read 267-258 in Belmonte's favor, earning him his third PBA Slam title and the $75,000 top prize. Watching Belmonte celebrate, I thought back to his quote about embracing pain and regret - he certainly experienced both throughout this tournament, but ultimately turned them into victory.
What made this tournament particularly memorable for me wasn't just the incredible bowling, but the way these athletes handled both triumph and disappointment. There's something raw and human about watching professional bowlers navigate the mental game, and the 2019 PBA Slam showcased this better than any tournament I've covered recently. The final statistics tell part of the story - Belmonte averaged 246.7 for the tournament, Malott finished at 241.2, and Tackett posted 239.8 - but numbers can't capture the emotional rollercoaster these players experienced. Having followed these athletes throughout their careers, I've developed a particular appreciation for Belmonte's ability to perform under pressure, though I'll admit I was secretly rooting for Malott to get one more major title before he retires.
Reflecting on the entire event, the 2019 PBA Slam demonstrated why professional bowling remains one of the most compelling sports to watch. The combination of technical precision, mental toughness, and those unpredictable moments of brilliance creates a viewing experience that's both intellectually satisfying and emotionally engaging. Belmonte's victory speech perfectly encapsulated the tournament's spirit when he acknowledged how close he came to defeat multiple times, yet emphasized that he wouldn't have wanted it any other way. As I packed up my notes and headed out of the arena, I couldn't help but feel grateful for having witnessed such an outstanding display of athletic excellence. These players don't just throw bowling balls - they navigate complex physical and mental challenges that test their limits, and in doing so, they create moments that remind us why we love sports in the first place.
