Welcome Savings Bank PBA Team League Recruits Nguyen Tran Thanh Thao and Kang Yu-jin to Boost Standing in Second Half

Professional billiards team Welcome Savings Bank has set its sights on climbing the standings in the second half of the season by acquiring Vietnamese player Nguyen Tran Thanh Thao (registered as T. Nguyen) and LPBA player Kang Yu-jin.

The Professional Billiards Association (PBA) announced on the 27th that Welcome Savings Bank selected the two players through the additional player selection system for the 2026-2027 season ahead of the fourth round of the Team League.

Among the 10 teams, Welcome Savings Bank was the only club to exercise its drafting rights in this additional selection held after the conclusion of the third round.

Welcome Savings Bank selected T. Nguyen in the first round and Kang Yu-jin in the second round.

T. Nguyen, who will now wear the Welcome Savings Bank uniform, is a talented player who debuted on the PBA stage this season and lifted the championship trophy in just her third tour.

Kang Yu-jin has also been praised for reaching her peak form, posting consistent results including a runner-up finish at the 3rd tour and reaching the quarterfinals at the 5th tour this season.

Welcome Savings Bank, currently sitting in 8th place (10 wins, 17 losses, 36 points) at the end of the third round, aims to shake off its slump and lay the groundwork for a rebound through these new player acquisitions.

Under the additional recruitment regulations, Welcome Savings Bank is required to retain both players through the 2027-2028 season, and its minimum protected player quota for the next season will increase from the previous 3 to 5 (including T. Nguyen and Kang Yu-jin).

The two players will make their debut matches as members of Welcome Savings Bank in the fourth round of the Team League, which resumes on the 31st at the Goyang Kintex PBA Stadium.

(Photo: Provided by PBA, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.