28th Aug, 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 or by visiting ABF Tour official website: www.abftour.com".

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

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.

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 Korea 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 - 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 or by visiting ABF Tour official website: www.abftour.com".

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.