17th September, Hong Kong: Local tour debutants, Chung Him and Michael Tsang moved into the semifinals of the ABF Tour Hong Kong 2005 while three Malaysian women ended Hong Kong women's charge on Day 1 at Thunder Bowl.

Newly-crowned Hong Kong Open champion impressed by winning his Round 1 match against Takahiro Yoshida from the Philippines, 223-201 but ended his campaign loosing to Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang, 237-162 in Round 2. Hong Kong's Chung Him defeated Malaysia's Daniel Lim, 199-187 in Round 2 to progess into the semifinals.

Malaysia was assured of a semifinal spot when Aaron Kong defeated Azidi Ameran, 190-170 in his second round match. Kong had earlier edged Asian ranked No. 1 and leader in the ABF ranking table, Alex Liew, 193-190.

The star of the day was undoubtedly tour debutant, Michael Tsang of Hong Kong. Tsang outclassed TOC champion and crowd favourite, Wu Siu Hong, 246-136 to take up the last men's semifinal spot. Tsang also knocked out Hong Kong Open first runner-up, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia, 202-192 in Round 1.

Hong Kong's hope of a women bowler in the semifinals was crushed when ex-international, Cookie Lee was edged out by Paulette Choy Poh Lai, 177-175. Lee showed newly-crowned Hong Kong champion the exit door when she defeated Jojo Canare of the Philippines, 247-230 but could not repeat the form when matched against Choy.

Liza Del Rosario took up the women's second semifinal spot when she defeated Hong Kong's top women bowler, Vanessa Fung, 216-199 in Round 2. Despite winning the first match, 214-177 against Malaysia's Tang Joh Six in Round 1, Fung found Rosario quite a handful opponent.

Newly-crowned ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, Lai Kin Ngoh was given an easy passage into her second consecutive semifinals when Melody

Yeung lost to Lai, 145-187. Lai had earlier knocked out Indonesia's Putty Armein, 208-170 while Yeung defeated Philippines leg champion, Apple Posadas, 181-157 in Round 1.

The last women's semifinal spot went to Women's World Championship Singles Gold medalist, Esther Cheah of Malaysia. The Tournament of Champions runner-up ended Hong Kong's Janet Lam charge when she took the Round 2 match, 188-160. Cheah knockout teammate and second-seed, Wendy Chai, 212-202 earlier in Round 1.

Paulette Choy will meet Filipina, Liza Del Rosario in the first women's semifinal match while the other will be an all-Malaysian match between Lai Kin Ngoh and Esther Cheah. Ryan Lalisang will face off with Chung Him while Malaysia's Aaron Kong will meet favourite, Michael Tsang.

The ABF Tour - Hong Kong will be shown on Hong Kong TVB Jade (Sports World) LIVE tomorrow and on local television stations of the six countries where the tour is being held. It will also be broadcast later from parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, central Asia, China and Australasia with an estimated audience of around 90 million.

For further information and details please contact ABF Tour Committee Marketing and Event Management Division at Tel: (852) 2810 5191; Fax: (852) 28105192; Mr. Ritchie Lai (Mobile: (852) 93598669; email: ritchie.lai@tndgroup.com) or Mr. Kelvin Pong (Mobile: (852) 9100 0958; email: Kelvin.pong@tndgroup.com).