11th January, Jakarta: Oh Young Ki and Liza Clutario had a great start in the ABF Tour - Tournament of Champions underway at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre as the lanky Korean and the experienced Filipina ended the first block in pole positions.

UAE's Sayed Ibrahim, who made the grand finals as a result of Kuawit's Fadhel Al-Mousawi and Saudi's Yousif Akbar pulling out, had a cracking start to lead the field of 16 finals with 244 and 212 with Australia's Jason Belmonte hot on his heels.

Despite winning his third match with 214, Belmonte's 247 put the Aussie in front with 21 pins advantage. At the halfway mark, Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao surged into the lead after consistently posting 195, 245, 191 and 235 in his first 4 matches.

As The Thai continued to maintain the lead, it was Korea's Oh Young Ki who began to mount his challenge with 233 and 225 in the sixth and seventh game to overtake Kritchawat for the lead and 15 pins ahead.

The Philippines leg champion hung on to the lead finishing with 214 and a total of 1776 winning six of the 8 games as Belmonte recovered to snatch second spot with 1757. Pace-setter, Kritchawat ended the block in third spot with 1728 as Sayed Ibrahim settled for fourth with 1665.

In the women's division, 2005 SEA Games Masters gold medalist, Liza Clutario of the Philippines found her old spark to top the field with a total of 1796 and winning all her eight matches with a comfortable margin of 62 pins.

Local youngster TOC debutant, Shalima Zalsha impressed with a superb start with 258 but had to share the lead with Clutario after the third game. While Shalima attempted to stay in front, fellow countrywomen, Putty Armein took over the lead at the halfway mark, 11 pins ahead of Shalima.

The 16-year-old fought back galantly to regain the lead after knocking down 212 and 232 with the Filipina close behind. But two poor games of 170 and 159 allowed Clutario to draw clear of her to end the block in front with a total of 1796.

Indonesia's Happy Soediyono stormed home to snatch second spot with 1734 followed by Putty Armein in third with 1730. Shalima settled for fourth spot with a total of 1688. Thailand's Angkana Netvriseth rounded up the top 5 in fifth spot with 1651.

The finalists will continue their second block of 7 games at 12.00 noon tomorrow (12th January) at the end of which the top 8 would make the cut for the knockout stage on Sunday LIVE on Metro TV.

For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.