16th September, Hong Kong: Singapore's Remy Ong finally captured his first men's title this year while Filipina, Jojo Canare ended an eight-year drought to win the women's crown of the 31st Hong Kong International Open which ended Friday afternoon.

Ong, whose last title was winning the coveted Qatar Open in 2004, waited for more than 14 months before winning his first title this year. The 26-year-old ended Malaysia's final hope of salvaging a title after the top-seed, Wendy Chai had gone down to Filipina, Jojo Canare in the sudden-death decider, 202-258.

The champion had earlier topped both the first and second block finals with a 16-game total of 3723 and an impressive average of 232. The top-seed was 66 pins ahead his nearest opponent, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia.

Zulmaran settled for second despite knocking out teammate, Azidi Ameran and challenger, Zhang Ye of China, 215-200-182. Zhang won the first match defeating Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang and sixth-seed, Aaron Kong, 214-193-205 before being stopped by Zulmazran in the second match.

The women's finals saw two-time winner of the Hong Kong Open, Wendy Chai ending her hope of winning the title for the third time. Chai, who topped the earlier finals, was forced into the sudden-death decider after loosing the first game, 170-206 to challenger, Jojo Canare.

Canare blazed the lanes to post 258 for which Chai could not response and settled for runner-up. The win for the 36-year-old may prove to be a booster for her SEA Games campaign this November in Manlia.

The champion earned a crack at the title after she ousted defending champion, Putty Armein of Indonesia and local hopeful, Vanessa Fung, 242-217-213 in second match. Fung took the first match knocking out teammate and fifth-seed, Janet Lam and China's ZHang Chun Li, 218-160-166.

The top 16 Asian men and women, who made the tour will play in a knock-out match draw in Round 1 and 2 matches on Saturday. The semifinal and final will be played on Sunday all at Thunder Bowl. LIVE scores will be featured at www.abftour.com.

Photos by Leung Chi Fai, HKTBC.

15th September, Hong Kong: Singapore's Remy Ong displayed his old sparkle to snatch the lead in the Men's Open Masters 1st block finals of the 31st Hong Kong International Open while Malaysian almost clean swept the women's top positions.

The 26-year-old set a cracking pace with 256, 204, 255 and 245 in the first half of the block to take over the lead from local crowd favourite, Wu Siu Hong. The leader kept up his pace to bring home 194, 237, 235 and 219 for a total of 1845 to top the field of 36 finalists.

Hot on the leader's tail were three Malaysians led by Azidi Ameran, who finished second just 36 pins adrift on 1809. His teammates, Zulmazran Zulkifli and Aaron Kong kept in close contact to finish third and fourth positions with 1769 and 1755 respectively.

Pace-setter, Wu fizzled out with a poor 150 in the eight game to end up behind China's Zhang Ye in sixth. Zhang totalled 1742 for fifth spot while defending champion, Biboy Rivera did well to tie with Wu on 1720.

Malaysians almost dominated the women's division with unfancied, Zandra Aziela leading from start to finish with a superb 1727. Hong Kong's Janet Lam spoilt the Malaysian's celebration when she snatched second spot with 1715.

Women's World Championship Singles Gold medalist, Esther Cheah came home third with 1693, just 2 pins ahead of teammates, Crystal Choy in fourth position with 1691 and Wendy Chai in fifth with 1688.

Defending champion, Putty Armein of Indonesia, kept in close contact with the leaders to tie in sixth position with Filipina, Jojo Canare on 1682. Another Filipina, Liza Del Rosario took eight spot with 1663.

Kuwait Open champion, Vanessa Fung and newly-crowned Vietnam Open champion, Sarah Yap completed the top 10 in ninth and tenth positions with 1619 and 1612 respectively.

The men and women will continue their second block of another 8 games at the end of which the top 6 will make the cut for the stepladder finals tomorrow (Friday 16th September). The top 16 Asian men and women will also make the cut for the ABF Tour Hong Kong Leg to be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Photos by Leung Chi Fai, HKTBC.

14th September, Hong Kong: Filipino bowlers put in a late charge with strong performances from Chester King, Jojo Canare and Liza Del Rosario on the final day of qualifying in the 31st Hong Kong International Open Bowling Championship.

Euromed-Storm Masters Challenge and Philippines Open champion, Chester King posted 961 to take up fourth spot in the Men's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard. King only managed a 10th-place finish in the Indonesia Open but did better with a 6th-place finish in the ABF Tour Indonesia leg last month.

Leading the table is still Malaysia's Azidi Ameran, who totalled 1006 with lines of 279, 244, 257 and 226. "The lanes were great on 33 and 34 and I just took advantage of it," said the 32-year-old national kegler. "The pair suited what I was doing and when you score that high, you tend to have a few lucky breaks here and there.

Second in the table was 2004 Qatar Open champion, Remy Ong of Singapore. Since winning the Qatar Open, Ong's game has gone through

some changes with his coach and is beginning to make some headway and will surely give the field a strong challenge.

Topping the ladies' table is ex-international, Cookie Lee, who scored 917. World Ranking Masters 1st runner-up, Wendy Chai of Malaysia led the overseas pool with 890, just 10 pins ahead of China's newcomer, Zhang Chun Li in second with 880.

Filipinas, Jojo Canare and Lisa Del Rosario also put up good performances with Canare taking up fifth and Rosario ninth with 861 and 845 respectively.

Newly-crowned ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, Lai Kin Ngoh and Women's World Championship Singles Gold medalist, Esther Cheah will add Malaysia's challenge for glory after qualifying in fourth and sixth places with 865 and 852.

Earlier this morning, Li Yam Wah easily took the Senior Masters title with a score of 1685 over the 8-game finals. Eighty-six pins adrift came Anthony Ma, who totalled 1599 for second position while Lo Tim Fat finished third with 1567. Qualifying will end later in the evening and the defending champion, Biboy Rivera with the top 35 men and Putty Armein with the top 27 ladies will contest the Masters finals over 2 blocks of 8 games on 15th and 16th September.

Photos courtesy of MTBC.

13th September, Hong Kong: Malaysians, Azidi Ameran and Wendy Chai stormed into the lead of the Men's and Ladies' Open Masters qualifying leaderboard of the 31st Hong Kong International Open Bowling Championship this morning.

Azidi Ameran blazed the lanes at SCAA Bowling Center to become the first bowler to surpass the 1000-mark in the 4-game qualifying round to post 1006 pinfalls. The 31-year-old is determined to better his fifth-place finish in last month's Indonesia Open. Azidi's last international success was winning the Malaysian Open Masters title in 2003 and hopes to end a two-year drought.

Singapore's only representative, Remy Ong took second spot with 993 while another Malaysian youngster, Adrian Ang finished third with 950. Current Asian Ranked No. 1 and winner of the Indonesia Open and ABF Tour Indonesia leg, Alex Liew was fourth with 925.

Apart from the four local seeded bowlers of Eric Lau, Eric Tseng, Wicky Yeung and Wu Siu Hong, Rocky Hui scored 980 to take up top spot ahead of youngster, Michael Tsang in second with 960.

In the ladies' division, twice winner of the Hong Kong Open in 2003 and 2004, Wendy Chai took top spot in the overseas pool with an impressive score of 890. The 28-year-old ABF Tour Grand Slam champion will be hoping to score a hattrick of wins on her lucky hunting ground.

Ex-international and spinner, Tang Joh Six finished second with 876 followed by Filipina, Jojo Canare in third with 861. Women's World Championship Singles Gold medalist, Esther Cheah, who skipped the Indonesia Open, took fourth spot with 852.

In the local front, the four seeded bowlers were Vanessa Fung, Janet Lam, Kylie Lui and Joey Yip occupied the top 4 positions with overall leader, Cookie Lee in fifth spot on a score of 917. Angela Lau and Rebecca Chau followed next with 865 and 843 respectively.

Qualifying will end tomorrow (14th September) and the finals will be contested over two blocks of 8 games on 15th and 16th September. The top 16 Asian men and ladies will make the cut for the ABF Tour Hong Kong leg on the 17th and 18th September.

Photos courtesy of MTBC.

11th September, Hong Kong: Hong Kong bowlers will be counting on home ground advantage to challenge top-class Asian bowlers competing in the 31st Hong Kong International Open Bowling Championship underway at SCAA Bowling Center.

Leading the local charge will be ex-international, Eric Lau Kwok Yau, who is currently seeded top of the local pool of the Men's Open Masters leaderboard. His teammate, Eric Tseng Tak Hin is second with up-and-coming Wicky Yeung third.

ABF Tour Grand Slam champion, Wu Siu Hong is also seeded fourth and will be exempted from the qualifying round. The 21-year-old, who lost to current Asian ranked No. 1, Alex Liew in the Indonesia Open last month, will be determined to do well in front of the local supporters.

Nicknamed "Wonder Boy", Wu did well in the 19th Asian Intercity Bowling Championship held immediately after the Indonesia Open in Jakarta when he bagged 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal.

Newly-crowned ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, who now resides in Hong Kong, had her qualifying attempt to take the lead in the overseas pool of the Ladies' Open Masters table with 840. The 29-year-old will certainly do well especially after having accustomed to the lanes at SCAA Bowling Center early.

Leading the Hong Kong ladies' charge is Kuwait International Open champion, Vanessa Fung. Fung, daughter of ABF Honarary Life President, Vivien Fung, is seeded top of the local pool followed by her Gold medal winning teammate in the 19th Asian Intercity Team event, Janet Lam in second.

Kylie Lui Mei Yan and Joey Yip Ka Yan, both teammates of Fung and Lam

when they captured the Team Gold medal in Jakarta, are third and fourth-seeded in the local pool. Ex-international, Cookie Lee is fifth after she posted an impressive 917.

The majority of the overseas participants will be arriving today and tomorrow to commence their qualifying rounds. The top 35 men together with the defending champion, Biboy Rivera of the Philippines and the top 27 ladies together with the defending champion, Putty Armein of Indonesia will qualify for the masters finals which will be contested over two blocks of 8 games on 15th and 16th September.

The top 6 at the end of the 16-games finals will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine this year's champion. At the same time, the top 16 Asian men and women will also qualify for the fifth leg of ABF Tour Hong Kong 2005.

Photos courtesy of MTBC.