20th November, Jakarta: Adrian Ang of Malaysia and Cherie Tan of Singapore, shared the glory on the final day of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship with victories in the Men's and Women's Masters finals for the last two gold medals.

Adrian Ang created history at the games when he became the only bowler to win a medal in all the five events contested en-route to capturing the Men's Masters title. He also equalled the record by winning four gold medals in the process.

Ang had finished second in the second block to Philippines' Frederick Ong but defeated the top seed, 431-390 over the two games championship match. The Malaysian edged the Filipino, 206-201 in the first game over the long oil pattern chosen by his opponent.

The champion went on to take the second match and the title, 225-189 for his fourth gold. Ang had earlier eliminated his team-mate and third seed, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan, 201-183 in the all-Malaysian semi-final match to face the Filipino.

"I only narrowly beat Frederick in the first game and I had to make sure I kept my focus for the second game to make good shots," said the 23-year-old two-time Malaysian national champion, Adrian Ang.

"The second game really swing in my favour when Frederick had a bad break with an open frame in the sixth. From then on I was more relaxed. I've to thank my coach for the win and also like to dedicate to my fellow bowler, Khoo Beng Khai who passed away just last month."

Ang went into the position round match, 64 pins behind Ong and despite winning the match, 258-247, had settle for second. Muhd Syafiq beat another Filipino, Biboy Rivera 213-197 to make the stepladder cut in third.

Singapore's Ng Tiac Pin shot the competition's second perfect 300 in the 12th game. Zulmazran Zulkifli, who shot the first 300 during the Trios event, finished ninth.

Meanwhile, Cherie Tan also became the other bowler to win a medal in all five events. Tan easily defeated second seed, Sharon Koh of Malaysia, 497-372 to claim her third gold medal. She had picked up the Singles and Team gold medal before her third.

The champion, who chose the short oil pattern, relished on her stronger lane condition to romp home an emphatic 267-219 win in the first game to build up a healthy 48 pins margin. The Singaporean put in another scintilating second game performance winning 230-153.

"It was certainly great to have built up a good margin in the first game," said the 23-year-old Guangzhou Asian Games Trios gold medalist and 2011 EBT Masters champion, Cherie Tan.

"We were battling hard in the second block earlier and I had expected a tough match. Both of us were equally good on the short oil so I thought whoever can get more carry will win."

Tan was trailing Sharon by 27 pins going into the position round match but beat the Malaysian, 248-191 to advance into the stepladder finals as top seed.

In the earlier all-Malaysian semi-finals, Sharon struck out in her final frame to edge team-mate and third seed, Zandra Aziela 183-180 after the latter had an unlucky split in her final frame.

Zandra beat Singapore's Jazreel Tan, 237-211 in the position round match to take the final stepladder spot denying the Singaporean after hauling herself from seventh to fourth before the last match.

Malaysia concluded the week-long championship as overall champion with a medal haul of 5-3-6 making it their best-ever SEA Games performance. Singapore finished second with 3-2-2 medal haul. Philippines finished third with 1-4-1 while Thailand was the only other country to win a gold in the Women's Trios event.

Host nation, Indonesia won a silver in the Women's 5-player Team event and a bronze medal in the Men's 5-player Team event as well. Seven nation from the South East Asia region took part.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

20th November, Jakarta: Two gold medalist, Cherie Tan of Singapore ended the Women's second block Masters finals of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship in pole position ahead of two Malaysians, Sharon Koh and Zandra Aziela.

Cherie Tan, who was second in the first block, took over the running en-route to winning the opening match with a superb 224 as the women finalists resumed with their second block over the short oil pattern at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre following a heavy downpour in the morning.

First block leader, Zandra Aziela also won her opening match but had to settle for second, trailing the Singaporean by 37 pins as Sharon remained in third position after losing her match.

Cherie quickened her pace by winning the tenth match with a sizzling 256 and opening up a gap of 81 pins over Zandra and Sharon a further 20 pins away in third.

The Singaporean left-hander continued to lead the field for the next two matches despite not winning them but saw her lead reduced to just 1 pin at the halfway mark as her team-mate, Jazreel Tan continued to made headway winning all her four matches with big scores.

Sharon then won her 13th match with a scintilating 279 to move 13 pins ahead of Cherie with Zandra slipping down to third and Jazreel closing the gap further to the top 3 front runners.

Both the left-handers won their next two matches and drew away from Zandra, who was still maintaing third spot and Jazreel moving into fourth. Cherie beat Sharon 248-191 in the position round match to advance into the stepladder finals as top seed.

Cherie amassed a total of 1837 in the second block with five wins giving her a 16-game total of 3656 from 10 wins and a draw. Sharon settled for second with 3616 from 12 wins over two blocks.

Zandra beat Jazreel in in the 16th match to qualify for the stepladder finals with 3505 from 10 wins over two blocks which meant the two Malaysian will have to battle for the right to face Cherie in the title match.

Jazreel was unlucky after having worked so hard to crawl her way from seventh overnight to fourth with 3433 and missing the stepladder finals. Malaysia's Sin Li Jane took fifth spot with 3433 from 11 wins.

Best Indonesian was Tannya Roumimper, who amassed a 16-game total of 3314 and 8 wins over two blocks. The stepladder finals will be contested after the men complete their second block and should commence approximately 6.00pm local time.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

19th November, Jakarta: Doubles gold medalist, Zandra Aziela of Malaysia snatched a slender 3 pin lead over two gold medalist, Cherie Tan of Singapore at the end of the Women's first block Masters finals of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship on Saturday.

Singles silver medalist, Sin Li Jane set a cracking pace winning the first three matches of the round-robin matchplay finals against her team-mates with lines of 224, 233 and 228 to open up a 44 pin lead over Cherie Tan of Singapore in second.

The 20-year-old Li Jane had her lead reduced slightly to 30 pins after she lost her fourth match despite rolling a superb 221. Cherie continued to trail the leader with no real challenges coming from the other finalists.

The Malaysian leader won her next two matches to remain in the lead and keeping a decent margin over her nearest opponent as her team-mates, Sharon Koh and Zandra Aziela made good progress to reduce the gap.

But a poor 161 from Li Jane dropped her down to third as Sharon and Zandra moved ahead of her while Cherie also suffered a set back after she lost her seventh match with 190. Sharon shot 202 but lost to Shayna Ng dropping her down to third.

Zandra won her eighth match with 228 to take over the lead with 1772 from five wins. Cherie bounced back to also win her last match with 231 to claim second spot with 1769, just 3 pins adrift.

"I'm neither good on short oil or long oil to be honest," said Zandra Aziela, who also picked up a bronze medal in the 5-player Team event yesterday. "And I'm surprise that I can lead the field.

"I hope that I can continue to roll good games and win as many matches as I can in order to have a chance of making the stepladder finals."

Pace-setter, Li Jane ended in fourth position and 67 pins off Zandra while Daphne Tan, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan are all not that far away from the leading pack. Tannya Roumimper was Indonesia's best finisher in eighth position.

The women will resume with the second block of 7 matches and the final position round match to determine to top 3 who will advance to the stepladder finals. The second seed and third seed to bowl one match to see who will advance to face the top seed over a 2-game total pinfalls.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

19th November, Jakarta: Singles Gold medalist, Frederick Ong topped the Men's first block Masters finals of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship as Biboy Rivera gave Philippines a one-two finish by taking second spot and Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia third.

The third Filipino, Raoul Miranda thrashed Thailand's Badin Lerdpiriyasakulkit 269-205 in his opening match of the first block of the round-robin matchplay finals as Malaysia's Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan beat team-mate, Aaron Kong 235-219 to trail Mirand by 34 pins.

The second Tha, Yannaphon Larpapharat took over the running after winning his first two matches with 231 and 256 to move into the lead, 2 pins ahead of Miranda, who also won his second match with 216.

The lead changed hands again when Malaysia's Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan surged ahead into the lead after the third match. The lanky Malaysian held on to the lead at the halfway with Frederick Ong taking second spot 23 pins adrift.

Muhd Syafiq came to the 23-24 pair of lanes and struggled big time losing the fifth match to Singapore's Keith Saw, 141-181 allowing Yannaphon to regain the lead while Ong continued to trail in second by 22 pins.

Ong, who had already won all the five matches played so far, won his next two matches to become the new leader followed by his team-mate, Biboy Rivera in second and Miranda third.

The leader finally lost his match his eighth match to Muhd Syafiq, 227-259 but retained his lead at the end of the first block with 1849. Rivera finished second with 1806 from 6 wins while Muhd Syafiq bounched back for third with 1767 and winning 5 matches.

"I'm used to a fast pace and like in the Singles event, it helps with my rythmn and timing," said the 29-year-old Frederick Ong. "I'm actually better on short oil so it's good to be able to do well on the long oil today.

"I'm hopeful that I can continue to do well in the second block tomorrow and my target is, of course to reach the stepladder finals."

Zulmazran Zulkifli and Adrian Ang of Malaysia finished fourth and fifth positions with 1732 and 1724 with Zulmazran winning six matches and Ang five matches. Miranda and Yannaphon ended in sixth and seventh positions.

Indonesia's three finalists, Yeri Ramadona (11th-1669), Ryan Lalisang (13th-1592) and Hardy Rachmadian (14th-1538) will need big games in the second block to have any chance of making the top 3 cut.

The men will resume with the second block of 7 matches and the final position round match to determine to top 3 who will advance to the stepladder finals. The second seed and third seed to bowl on match to see who will advance to face the top seed over a 2-game total pinfalls.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

18th November, Jakarta: Singapore women bounched back with an emphatic victory in the Women's 5-player Team event of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship while Malaysia won their fourth gold in the men's division.

Cherie Tan, New Hui Fen, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan, who led the first block of 3 games over the short oil pattern after rolling 1048, 1059 and a near record-breaking 1153 to open up a 326 pins lead over host nation, Indonesia.

The Singapore women continued with their relentless pace knocking down 1054 in their fourth game when the 5-player team event resumed after the break on the long oil pattern and increasing their lead to 386 pins.

Another superb 1044 put the leader 480 pins well ahead of the Indonesians while Thailand and Malaysia were battling for the minor places.

Singapore, who had Daphne Tan replacing Jasmine Yeong-Nathan in the second block, eased off with 974 in their final game to end the block with 6332 and winning the Team gold after an absent of 20 years. The last time Singapore women won the Team event was at the 1991 Manila SEA Games.

"After having built up a comfortable lead in the first block, all of us were completely at ease in the second block which allowed us to focus on the job," said anchorwomen, Jazreel Tan, who turned in another awesome 1320 6-game series.

"We not only let ourselves down in the last two events but we let our country down as well after having led almost all the way but lost the Doubles and the Trios gold in the final game. This made us more determined and not to let this one slip away from us again.

"I'm glad we've now met our target of winning the Team event. But it was not just down to me. All of us played a part. Cherie was fantastic scoring the highest 6-game series of 1347."

Guangzhou Asian Games Team silver medalist and host nation, finally delivered their first medal of the competition by winning the silver medal with 5846. Malaysia, who was fourth before the last game, snatched the bronze medal with 5788.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's Adrian Ang, Alex Liew, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan (alternating with Muhd Nur Aiman), Zulmazran Zulkifli and Aaron Kong cruised to a comfortable victory for their third gold.

The champion downed 6241 pinfalls, 209 pins ahead of the Philippines, who won their third silver with 6032. The Indonesian men also delivered their first medal of the competition after they finished third with 5873 for the bronze medal.

Singapore has all their six women players in the finals while Malaysia is the only other country that has all their six men players in the finals too. Adrian Ang topped the standings with 5229.

The top 16 women and top 16 men will contest the Round-robin Masters finals over two blocks of 8 games on Saturday and Sunday. The top 3 women and top 3 men at the end of finals will advance t the stepladder grand finals.

Malaysia topped the overall medal table with a medal haul of 4-2-4 with Singapore in second with a medal haul of 2-2-2 followed by Philippines third with 1-3-1.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

17th November, Jakarta: Glory went to Thailand and Malaysia on Day 3 of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship as the Thais sprang a surprise victory in the Women's Trios event while the Malaysian men dominated with a one-two finish.

Daphne Tan, Cherie Tan and Jazreel Tan of Singapore continued where they left off in the first block by retaining the lead with a superb 638 after the fourth game of the second block over the short oil pattern.

Thailand's Yanee Saebe, Tanaprang Sathean and Angkana Netvriseth, who had trailed Singapore by 17 pins in third and Philippines by 8 pins at the end of the first block, rolled 627 to take over second spot, 22 pins behind the leader.

The Singaporeans fired another sizzling 653 to stretch their lead over the Thais to 39 pins as they go into their sixth and final game while the Filipinas and the favourites, Malaysia fizzled off.

The Thais went on a strikefest as the Singaporeans, who were just two lanes away, just could not response. Yanee ended with 211, Tanaprang 246 and Angkana 219 for a scintilating 676 to snatch victory and clinch their first gold medal with 3777.

"We knew we were closing in on Singapore and we were only hoping that we can maintain our pace to win at least a silver or a bronze medal," said Angkana Netvriseth. "We didn't expect that we can overtake them but in the last game all of us were firing a lot of strikes.

"In the end, we pulled through and we're so happy. We like to thank TTBA for giving us this opportunity to compete here and we're glad we finally won a gold medal for our country."

Daphne, Cherie and Jazreel settled for the silver medal with 3763, just 14 pins away while the other Singapore trio of New Hui Fen, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan and Shayna Ng had consistent games of 663, 614 and 614 to clinch the bronze medal with 3663.

The two Malaysian trio ended in fourth and fifth positions with 3616 and 3548 respectively. Indonesia's best trio was Ivana Hie, Novie Phang and Putty Armein finishing sixth position with 3502.

Meanwhile, Malaysia dominated the men's division by finishing one-two to win their third gold medal and added a second silver medal. First block leader, Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Alex Liew fired 628, 636 and 711 to romp home for a total of 3874, 171 pins ahead of their team-mates.

Muhd Nur Aiman, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan and Aaron Kong, who was second in the first block, bowled consistently with 662, 623 and 654 in the second block for a total of 3703 to win the silver medal.

"Having a good margin after the first block gave us an easier job in the second block," said the flamboyant, Zulmaran Zulkifli. "Of course my perfect game helped but Adrian also bowled superb.

"It has been a while since I've won any medals in an official game so this victory is sweet. We've a good and well-balanced team and we've trained hard and all of us deserve this. It'll be great if each one of us go back with a gold medal and this can only come from the 5-player Team event tomorrow."

Philippines' Biboy Rivera, Frederick Ong and Raoul Miranda fought back to clinch the bronze medal with 3628. Singapore's best trio of Keith Saw, Jason Yeong-Nathan and Ng Tiac Pin finished fifth with 3585.

But the biggest disappointment was for host nation, Indonesia. Ryan Lalisang, Hardy Rachmadian and Oscar were third going into the second block. The Indonesians were still third before the final game and were 21 pins behind the second Malaysian trio.

They only managed 548 in their last game to slipped down to sixth position with 3576 while the other Indonesian trio of Billy Muhammad Islam, Harry Al Ashari and Yeri Ramadona took seventh spot with 3482.

Malaysia currently lead the Medal Tally with 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals followed by Singapore in second with a medal haul of 1-2-2 and Philippines third with a medal haul of 1-2-1.

Competition turns to the 5-player Team event with the first block of 3 games over short oil pattern and the second block of 3 games over the long oil pattern. No medals will be awarded for the All Events but the top 16 men and top 16 women will qualify for the Masters finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

17th November, Jakarta: Doubles gold medalist, Adrian Ang and Alex Liew teamed up with Zulmazran Zulkifli to take a comfortable lead over Philippines at the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship Trios first block while Singapore topped the women's division.

Philippines' second trio of Giancarlo Mansilungan, Rogelio Enriquez Jr. and Singles silver medalist, Jeremy Posadas led their compatriots and the first trio of Biboy Rivera, Singles gold medalist, Frederick Ong and Raoul Miranda by 4 pins with 594 in their opening game.

A poor 485 by the Filipinos allowed the Adrian Ang, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Alex Liew to move into the lead after the Malaysian trio rolled 563 and 603 in their first two games with their team-mates, Muhd Nur Aiman, Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan and Aaron Kong following in second 5 pins adrift.

Zulmazran then went on a strikefest reeling in 12 consecutive strikes to shoot the championship's first 300 in his final game and together with Adrian contributing 244 and Alex 189, the trio shot the highest single game of 733.

The trios' first block total of 1899 allowed them to open up a gap of 110 pins over the first Filipino trio of Rivera, Ong and Miranda, who finished second with 1789. The second Malaysian trio settled for third with 1764.

Indonesia's strongest trio of Ryan Lalisang, Hardy Rachmadian and Oscar finished a splendid fourth with 1747, just 42 pins from second and 17 from third which gave them a strong footing to capture their first medal as host.

In the women's division, the gap amongst the top 3 trios were much closer. Indonesia's first trio of Ivana Hie, Novie Phang and Putty Armein took a surprised lead with 638 opening game, 14 pins ahead of the first Malaysian trio.

The Indonesians held the lead after the second game and streching their lead over Sin Li Jane, Zandra Aziela and Jacqueline Sijore to 27 pins with Singapore's second trio and Philippines' first trio all bunched up closely.

Ivana, Novie and Putty stumbled in their final game with an aweful 452 to dropped away into eighth with 1694 while Singapore's Daphne Tan, Cherie Tan and Jazreel Tan surged into the lead after the first block with 1849.

Filipinas Lara Posadas, Apple Posadas and Liza Del Rosario snatched second spot with 1846, just 3 pins adrift while Thailand's Yanee Saebe, Tanaprang Sathean and Angkana Netvriseth took third position with 1838.

Li Jane, Zandra and Jacqueline slipped down to fourth with 1789. The race is certainly much closer for the women's division with the second block of 3 games over the short oil pattern to be contested in the afternoon.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

16th November, Jakarta: Guangzhou Asian Games golden pair of Alex Liew and Adrian Ang captured Malaysia's second gold medal of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship by winning the Men's Doubles with Zulmazran Zulkifli and Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan picking up the bronze medal.

Apart from Thailand's third pair of Atchariya Cheng and Vorachet Arayavisedvong leading the field in the opening game with 487, the first pair of Alex Liew and Adrian Ang led from the second game till the end to win their second gold medal with a total of 2555 pinfalls.

Ang rolled 1251 to add to Liew's highest 6-game series of the event of 1304 for a comfortable 65-pins victory over Philippines' first pair of Biboy Rivera and Singles gold medalist, Frederick Ong.

Rivera and Ong came close to the leader after fourth game, trailing only by 9 pins but the Asian Games Doubles champion were simply too strong for the Filipinos drawing away toward the end.

"We started off well and kept close to the early leader and as soon as we got settled into our usual rythmn, we knew we were in a shot at the gold," said the 35-year-old two gold medalists at the Guangzhou Asian Games and three-times Indonesia Open champion, Alex Liew.

"I was fortunate to partner Alex at the Guangzhou Asian Games and I'm also fortunate enough to partner him again here," said 24-year-old two-time national champion and two gold medalist at the 2008 Asian Championship, Adrian Ang.

"We've a very balanced team and we've prepared ourselves well for these games. We'll also be strong in our next two events so we expect to win more medals for our country," added Liew.

The second Malaysian pair of Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan and Zulmazran Zulkifli followed their women counterpart to win the bronze medal with 2545, edging their team-mates and the third pair of Muhd Nur Aiman and Aaron Kong, who finished fourth with 2420.

Keith Saw and Ng Chiew Pang was Singapore's best pair taking up fifth position with 2393 while Indonesia's strong pair of Ryan Lalisang and Yeri Ramadona finished sixth with 2306.

Indonesia's first pair of Hardy Rachmadian and Oscar, who were third after the four game, dropped off their pace to end up in seventh position with 2383.

Frederick Ong lead the Men's All Events with 2663 after 12 games and all is not lost for Indonesia as Ryan Lalisang is second in the standings with 2644. Alex Liew is third with 2643.

Malaysia leads the Medal Tally with 2 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals followed by Philippines with 1 gold and 2 silver medals ahead of Singapore in thrid with 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze.

Competition will shift to the Trios event which will contested over two blocks with the first block of 3 games over the long oil pattern and the second block of 3 games over the short oil.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

16th November, Jakarta: Zandra Aziela and Jacqueline Sijore bagged Malaysia's first gold medal of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship with a victory in the Women's Doubles as Sharon Koh and Dayang Khairuniza picked up the bronze medal.

Malaysia's second pair of Zatil Iman and Singles silver medalist, Sin Li Jane got off the mark with a superb 439 in their opening game to lead Singapore's second pair of New Hui Fen and Shayna Ng by 9 pins.

Hui Fen and Shayna took a brief lead after the second game only to hand the lead to their team-mates and Singapore's third pair of Daphne Tan and Cherie Tan when they rolled a poor game of 358.

The Tan siblings continued to lead the field after the fourth game as Zatil and Li Jane faded away while the first Malaysia pair of Zandra Aziela and Jacqueline Sijore closed on the leader with a sizzling 482 to trail by 6 pins.

A fifth game of 418 saw the Malaysian pair taking over the running and reversing the lead by 6 pins despite Singapore firing a good 406. Malaysia's third pair of Sharon Koh and Dayang Khairuniza started their bid for a medal and was third.

The duel between the two favourite countries again came down to the wire. Zandra struggled with 167 but thanks to Jacqueline's consistency, brought home 232 to end with 399 for a team total of 2463.

Daphne shot 211 while Singles gold medalist, Cherie managed only 187 to end with 398, settling for the silver medal with 2456 as Malaysia clinched their first gold medal.

"We didn't start off well in the first two games but we kept our focus and we managed to crawl our way back into contention," said Jacqueline Sijore, who won the Singles gold medal at the World Women Championship in September.

"The high game I had helped us and Zandra's high game in the fifth also helped me. In the end we held off the fierce challenge from Singapore to win our first gold."

"It feels good to win our first gold medal and I dedicate this victory to our team-mate, Esther Cheah, who had an unfortunate freak accident after she fell from the bus here in Jakarta just days before the championship," said Zandra Aziela.

"We've been training together for so long and for this to happen to her must have been very sad for Esther. I had a very inconsistent 6 games. It's not easy to bowl on the long oil as my strength is in the short oil. I'm glad Jacqueline covered me."

Sharon and Dayang hung on to third to add the bronze to Malaysia with 2413, a distant 50 pins away while the Posadas sister of Lara and Apple missed the podium by finishing fourth with 2402. Zatil and Li Jane rounded the top 5 with 2389.

Host nation, Indonesia had another day of disappointment when their best pair of Tannya Roumimper and Sharon Limansantoso managed only ninth position. Puteri Astari and Ivana Hie finished 11th while Novie Phang and Putty Armein ended up last.

The men will take to the lanes for their Doubles event after lane maintenance later this afternoon. The medal presentation will be held immediately after.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

15th November, Jakarta: Guangzhou Asian Games Masters silver medalist, Cherie Tan won Singapore's first gold medal of the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship by just 2 pins from Malaysia's Sin Li Jane at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre on Tuesday.

Cherie Tan got off to a splendid start with a 242 opening game to lead Filipina, Lara Posadas by 4 pins and Cherie's team-mate, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan a further 4 pins away in third.

Local favourite, Putty Armein rolled the event's highest game with 264 to move up into second spot but the Singaporean held her lead with a superb 223 in the second game. Cherie continued her hot pace with 238 to open up a 63-pin lead over Malaysia's Sin Li Jane in second at the halfway mark.

The leader was on a roll knocking down 225 in the fourth to stretch her lead to 82 pins as another team-mate and Indonesia Open champion, New Hui Fen moved up second spot and Li Jane slipping down to third.

A poor 168 in the fifth game from Cherie allowed the Malaysian to narrow the gap down to just 19 pins after the latter shot 233 while another Singaporean, Jazreel Tan moved ahead of Jasmine for third, a further 8 pins away.

All the top 3 gold medal contenders were neck and neck up to halfway point of the final game. Cherie appeared to have faded off after having had two opened frames while Jazreel fired four strikes-in-a-row.

Li Jane was on course for a good game and looked good to snatch the gold but Cherie fought back galantly striking out in her last frame to end with 190 and win the gold with 1286. The Malaysian managed 204 to settle for the silver medal with 1284, just two pins away.

Jazreel ended strongly but was content to take home the bronze medal with 1283, 1 pin from the Malaysian while Jasmine also finished strongly but missed the podium in fourth psotion with 1242.

"I knew that the gap which I had built up over the first four games was reduced drastically after I bowled a poor fifth game," said the relieved Cherie Tan. "The pressure was tremendous but I kept saying to myself to stay calm.

"Luckily I managed to double up in the final frame to hang on to the lead and win my country's first gold medal," added Cherie.

"I had a good start in the final game but I had an opened frame in the sixth," said Jazreel Tan. "I needed a strike in my bonus frame to tie with Li Jane and share the silver but managed only 9 pins to miss by 1 pin.

"Although I'm slightly disappointed but I'm still happy to come away with the bronze and I'm happy for Cherie winning the gold for Singapore."

Debutant, Puteri Astari was Indonesia's best performer taking up ninth position followed by Filipina, Apple Posadas rounding up the top 10. Competition will shift to the Doubles event tomorrow over the long oil pattern with the women taking to the lanes in the morning and the men in the afternoon.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

15th November, Jakarta: Philippines got off to a dream start at the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship with Frederick Ong and Jeremy Posadas winning the Men's Singles gold and silver medal while Adrian Ang of Malaysia clinched the bronze medal.

Local favourite and 2005 Manila SEA Games Singles gold medalist, Ryan Lalisang had a cracking start when he shared the lead with Muhd Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia with an opening game of 244 as the competition got underway at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre.

But both could not hang on to the lead as Syafiq's team-mate, Aaron Kong surged into the front after the second game, 11 pins ahead of Syafiq. Lalisang dropped down the field after a poor 171 second game.

At the halfway mark, Guangzhou Asian Games Singles bronze medalist, Frederick Ong of the Philippines rolled a big game of 252 to take over the running with Thailand's Yannaphon Larpapharat shooting 245 and 248 to move up into second.

Muhd Syafiq regained the lead with a superb 255 in the fourth game but again his lead was short-lived as the Ong took it off from the Malaysian after the fifth game. With just 17 pins ahead, the Filipino made no mistake finishing strongly with 232 to claim the first gold medal with 1386.

Ong's team-mate and another debutant, Jeremy Posadas stormed home with 254 in his final game to snatch the silver with 1365 while another Malaysian, Adrian Ang also stormed home strongly with 255 to clinch the bronze medal with 1359.

"I wasn't aware that I was even leading the filed let alone winning the gold medal," said the games debutant, Frederick Ong. "Like in Guangzhou last year, I was surprised that I won the bronze medal.

"There are so many good bowlers here and the field is so strong. To come away with a medal would be quite an achievement for me. To win the gold - it's just amazing.

"I knew I was in amongst the leading top 5 or 6 and a good game would give me a chance," said another games debutant, Jeremy Posadas. "To finish behind Frederick and win the silver medal is fantastic.

"I have to thank the Philippine Bowling Congress, its staff and coaches for giving me an opportunity to compete in the SEA Games and I'm glad I have delivered the silver medal.

Ryan Lalisang shot the event's highest single game with 266 in his final game but fell short by 18 pins to finish fourth position with 1341. Guangzhou Asian Games two gold medalist, Alex LIew of Malaysia completed the top 5 with 1339.

Competition will resume with the Women's Singles after lane maintenance and the medal presentation ceremony will follow that immediately concluding the first day of the championship.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.

13th November, Jakarta: Seven nations from the South East Asian region will be ready to do battle when the 26th SEA Games Tenpin Bowling Championship gets underway on Tuesday at Jaya Ancol Bowling Centre.

Team officials from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host nation, Indonesia met at the technical meeting held at the Aston Marina Hotel confirming their players for the games to run from November 14 to 20.

The seven nations sent in their full men team except Brunei Darussalam with only five men while five nations sent in their full women team except Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam. A total of 41 men and 30 women players will take to the lanes tomorrow for their official practice.

At the technical meeting, Mr Aswin Limansantoso, Organising Chairman for bowling, welcomed team officials to the games and extended his appreciation on behalf of the Indonesia SEA Games Organising Commitee and Indonesian Bowling Association for their participation.

Dr Danny Santos, Vice President of Asian Bowling Federation and technical delegate conducted the meeting covering all the aspects of the games. He also introduced Mr Oky Harwanto, President of Indonesia Bowling Assocation and Mr John Janawicz, technical official responsible for the lane maintenance.

Thereafter, Mr Harwanto assisted Dr Santos in the lane draw for both the women and men. The players will compete in the Singles, Doubles, Trios, 5-player Team and the two-blocks Masters finals.

The participating nations will battle for medals in the five events. No medals will be awarded for the All Events although the top 16 men and top 16 women based on their standings in the All Events will advance to the Masters finals.

Indonesia will be represented by Ivana Hie, Novie Phang, Putty Armein, Sharon Limansantoso, Tannya Roumimper and debutant, Puteri Astari while the men will see newcomers Billy Muhammad Islam, Hardy Rachmadian, Oscar, Harry Al Ashari and the experienced Yeri Ramadona and Ryan Lalisang.

Competition will commence with the Singles on November 15 and culminating with the stepladder finals for the top 3 men and top 3 women at the end of second block of the Round-Robin Matchplay finals on November 20.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Jakarta.