27th August, Jakarta: Malaysian bowlers put up a superb performance yet again on Day 1 of the ABF Tour Indonesia leg at Jaya Ancol Bowling Center with newly-crowned Indonesia Open champion, Alex Liew leading teammates, Azidi Ameran, Siti Safiyah Amirah and Zandra Aziela into the semifinals.

Liew, who took the Indonesia Open title Friday, was a class of his own winning his preliminary round matches with high scores of 258 and 259. Liew defeated David Sitorus of Indonesia in Round 1 and then silenced the crowd with another stella performance to knock out local favourite, Ryan Lalisang in Round 2.

"I was fortunate that I could immediately found a good line to bowl," said the 30-year-old proshop supervisor. "After the 258 in round 1, I was confident that I can move into the semifinals.

Azidi Ameran, who had an easy passage in Round 1 after he defeated Mansoor Al-Amani, 203-132, had to work a lot harder in his match against Filipino, Chester King. Azidi edged King 204-194 to book his spot in the semifinals.

"I keep telling myself that I need to make good shots to get the carry I wanted," said Azidi after the win. "It is not easy to stay focus expecialy when there is a lot at stake. Meanwhile, last year's Indonesia Open, Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar, made amends from a disappointing stepladder finals yesterday to earn a spot in tomorrow's semifinals.

Shaheen took out Malaysia's Daniel Lim, 233-170 before going on to knock out Filipino, Botchock Rey, 231-207 in Round 2. The last semifinal spot went to Yang Tae Bum of Korea, who ousted Singapore's only men, Remy Ong, 195-176.

In the women's division, Malaysia again took three of the four semifinal spots when Zandra Aziela edged Filipina, Cheche Abrantes, 196-173 for her first-ever tour semifinal. Zandra was more impressive in her first match when she ousted top-seed and local favourite, Putty Armein, 226-194.

Malaysian International Open champion, Siti Saifyah Amirah joined Zandra after she beat last year's Indonesia Champion, Liza Del Rosario, 192-188. Siti also knocked out another Filipino, Irene Benitez, 215-190 in her Round 1 match.

Women's World Championship Bronze medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh gave Malaysia its third semifinal spot after she beat Wendy Chai, 193-153. Lai also disposed off another Filipino, Cecilia Yap, 189-172 in Round 1.

Meanwhile, tour debutant, Yasmine Yeong Nathan could not have asked for a better finish. The reigning Singapore National Champion, just made the tour finishing 17th and with the Indonesia Open champion, Zara Glover not eligible to participate in this tour, Nathan squeezed in. The 16-year-old national youth beat Thailand's Angkana Netrviseth, 211-190 in her first match before moving on to knock out yet another Filipina, Jojo Canare, 215-169.

Alex Liew of Malaysia will meet Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar in the first men's semifinals while Azidi Ameran will face newcomer, Yang Tae Bum of Kore in the other. The women's first match will involve two Malaysians, Zandra Aziela and Lai Kin Ngoh and Siti Safiyah Amirah will meet tour debutant, Jasmine Yeong Nathan.

The ABF Tour comprises six Legs and a Grand Final, the Tournament of Champions. Each Leg will be staged over two competition days where the top 16 men and 16 women bowlers from the preceding International Open Masters Event (Open Grade) will compete in a one-game match play knock-out competition for the individual men's and women's titles.

The Tournament of Champions will be staged over four competition days where the top 16 men and 16 women bowlers (based on ABF Tour ranking points), plus two additional wildcard entries from the West Asia region (thus totalling 18 men in the men's division), will qualify to compete over four rounds of competition for the coveted men's and women's ABF Tour Champion titles.

The ABF Tour - Indonesia will be shown 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).