Shawn Maldonado won his second PBA Tour title of 2021 by defeating Jake Peters in the championship match of the PBA Lubbock Sports Open at South Plains Lanes.

Maldonado, who won his first career title earlier this season in the PBA Chameleon Championship, overcame a strange fifth frame in which both Peters and Maldonado opened.

After a rare gutter ball from Peters, who then got nine on his second shot, Maldonado had a chance to cut into Peters’ lead but left a 7-10 split.

“When it went in the gutter, it was obviously a shock,” said Maldonado, “but I thought that was my chance. I was on a double, I threw it as well as I could, but left the pocket 7-10. That was a good shot, but I knew I had to make a ball change to face up a little better. That’s when I got rolling.”

Maldonado began a new string of strikes after the open frame in the fifth, eventually catching and passing Peters for the victory.

“I’m just as excited to get this win as I was to get the first one,” said Maldonado. “I’m confident, excited and thankful for the support I get back home. There are so many emotions right now.”

While a string of strikes helped him win the championship match, Maldonado credited his spare game with earning the No. 1 seed.

“I’ve been working on my spares,” said Maldonado. “In the past, I’ve had some good days when I make spares and then the next day my spare game is kind of off. Coming into the Summer Tour, I’ve really been working on my spare game and my touch. It paid off.”

With the win, Maldonado also takes the early lead in the PBA Summer Tour points race, with a $40,000 bonus prize fund that includes $20,000 for the player who accumulates the most competition points during the five events.

The PBA Summer Tour continues Friday with the first day of qualifying of the PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles.