The Taom Arena Open Semifinals are officially set in Malaysia, with two Filipino contenders, Jeffrey Ignacio and Sean Mark Malayan, successfully advancing to the final four. The tournament has showcased highly competitive matches, leading up to the critical semifinal clashes scheduled for Monday, May 18.
Quarterfinal Results and Journey to the Semifinals
Jeffrey Ignacio secured his semifinal berth with a decisive 10-3 victory over Ponco Klinton Manurung in the quarterfinals. He will face Liu Ri Teng, who has maintained a formidable winning streak against Filipino athletes throughout this tournament.
Liu Ri Teng eliminated three Filipino players consecutively on his path to the final four, defeating AJ Manas 9-7, Paolo Gallito 10-3, and James Aranas 10-5.
In the second bracket, Sean Mark Malayan advanced by defeating compatriot Jeffrey De Luna with a score of 10-6. Malayan is set to compete against Irsal Nasution in the next round. Nasution, who earned runner-up honors against Japan’s Naoyuki Oi at the 2026 Carabao International Open last February, booked his current semifinal spot by overcoming Nicholas Tan 10-5.
Taom Arena Open Quarterfinal Results
| Winner | Defeated | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Liu Ri Teng | James Aranas | 10-5 |
| Jeffrey Ignacio | Ponco Klinton Manurung | 10-3 |
| Irsal Nasution | Nicholas Tan | 10-5 |
| Sean Mark Malayan | Jeffrey De Luna | 10-6 |
Semifinal Schedule (Monday, May 18)
- 1:00 PM (Malaysia / Philippine Time): Liu Ri Teng vs. Jeffrey Ignacio
- 3:30 PM (Malaysia / Philippine Time): Irsal Nasution vs. Sean Mark Malayan
What You Need to Know
Here is a summary of the upcoming event highlights:
- Two Filipino players, Jeffrey Ignacio and Sean Mark Malayan, make up half of the remaining field in the Taom Arena Open Semifinals in Malaysia.
- Liu Ri Teng enters the semifinals carrying strong momentum after eliminating three Filipino competitors in the preceding rounds.
- Irsal Nasution brings a strong tournament record into the match, including a notable runner-up finish early in the 2026 season.
- The semifinal matches will be broadcast or played locally starting at 1:00 PM (MYT/PHT) on May 18.