When the PBA and the PWBA come together, only something good can come from it. The 2025 PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, aka "The Luci," is where the good happens. This year, "The Luci" was no exception to excitement and world-class bowling. Held at Houston's Copperfield Bowl from July 24 - 27, 2025, this marked its 25th Anniversary. The tournament brought in a sold-out field of 160 teams, all united by intense competition and a shared goal of raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research.
Chris Via and Bryanna Cote captured the title after 23 grueling games over two days. The duo started the semifinals in 22nd position, and then surged into 3rd thanks to Cote's consistency and Via's 1058 series, highlighted by a perfect 300 game. Once in match play, Via and Cote took the lead after Game 3 and never looked back. They eventually finished with a 260-pin margin over their nearest competitors.
Finals Standings:
1st Place - Chris Via & Bryanna Cote
2nd Place - Kyle Troup & Liz Johnson
3rd Place - Darren Tang & Sin Li Jane
4th Place - Andrew Anderson & Erin McCarthy
5th Place - Tommy Jones & Shannon Pluhowsky
The Tournament, also known as "The Luci," is named in honor of the late PWBA star Luci Bonneau, who inspired the tournament's founding in 2005 following her breast cancer diagnosis. "The Luci" has become the SABC's signature fundraising event, run annually by Hall of Famer Donna Conners. Since its inception, the event has raised substantial funds and increased awareness for breast cancer research, bringing together top athletes, fans, and charitable partners for a meaningful cause.
Both Champions celebrated their achievement as both a sporting milestone and a deeply personal win. "It's awesome to win here... this event is so hard to win because you have to have both bowlers bowling really well at the same time," said Chris Via. Cote and Via, marking their fifth year as a team, finally walked away with the win after several close calls, with Cote earning her sixth PWBA title and Via his second PBA crown.
Beyond the tournament's place as a tour highlight, the SABC Mixed Doubles continues to stand out for its spirit of camaraderie, sportsmanship, and charity - a true celebration of the bowling community's strength and heart.