28th August, Jakarta: It's double thumbs up for Malaysia as Alex Liew defeated Korea's Yang Tae Bum and Lai Kin Ngoh edged Singapore's Jasmine Yeong Nathan to capture the ABF Tour Indonesia Leg titles which concluded at Jaya Ancol Bowling Center Sunday evening.

The newly-crowned Indonesia Open was the most outstanding performer throughout the two day of competition and fully deserved the win. The finals between Liew and challenger, Yang Tae Bum of Korea proved to be the match of the day.

The champion started off with a double but soon found himself trailing Yang after the Korean got off to a strike fest with five-in-a-row. Liew then got a turkey which put pressure on his opponent forcing Yang only to manage a 7-spare in the sixth frame.

A 1-2-4-10 split in the seventh frame which Yang could not convert, gave Liew the needed break and which he duly responded with a five-bagger up to the eight frame for the lead. Yang then made a final bid with a turkey and needed a strike in the 11th frame but left a stubborn pin 10 to end up with 241.

All Liew needed to do was to mark the final frame to win and he delighted his teammates and the supporters that have gathered at Jaya Ancol Bowling Center with exactly that. With the win, Liew has therefore stamped his mark as this year's Asian No. 1 in both in the Asian Rankings and the ABF Tour rankings. Liew also took home US$2,000 for the win adding to the Rup 50 million he won in the preceeding Indonesia Open title.

"When Yang had five-in-a-row, I had to make sure that I maintain my rythmn and stay focus," said the 30-year-old champion. "And when I got four strikes, I knew he was under pressure. From then on I knew the title was there for the taking.

The champion had earlier knocked out Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar, 238-204 in the second semifinal match to reach the finals while Malaysia's Azidi Ameran lost the first semifinal match to Yang, 210-235.

Meanwhile, Lai Kin Ngoh gave Malaysia a double celebration when she edged Singapore's Jasmine Yeong Nathan, 190-183 in the women's finals. Lai had a great start with a turkey and took an early but an unlucky open frame in the fifth allowed Jasmine to close the gap.

Jasmine had an opportunity to take over the lead but a single pin miss in the seventh frame allowed Lai to level up at this stage. Lai then had a split in her next frame which gave Jasmine the confidence to post a double in the eighth and ninth frames.

Lai needed to strike out to put pressure onto her opponent but only ended up with 190. A simple spare in the last frame for Jasmine would allow her to seal the game but the 16-year-old knocked down 7 pin and then took two pins to end the game with 183.

"This is my first international title since the SEA Games Gold medal in 2001 so this win is especially sweet," said Lai. "I have always wanted to win a tour title after only managing to always finish second or third for so many years.

The women champion had earlier crushed her fellow-countrywomen, Zandra Aziela, 267-181 in the first women semifinals while 15-year-old Siti Safiyah Amirah lost to Jasmine Yeong Nathan, 210-237 in the other semi.

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).