26th August, Jakarta: Alex Liew put up spirited effort to come from behind edge challenger, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong in the deciding stepladder match, 245-241 to capture the 3rd Indonesia International Open Masters crown while England's Zara Glover won her first in Asia.

Liew, who narrowly lost the first match to Wu, 207-210 despite displaying a faultless game, came back with a vengence when he started off with a turkey. But Wu closed the gap and took a single pin lead after he strung together 4 strikes-in-a-row. Liew then responded with a double to almost draw level in the seventh frame when Wu had a 1-2-4-10 split, but Wu converted it to the delight of his teammate and supporters.

That must have given the 22-year-old the confident as he knocked down a turkey. In his eleventh throw, Wu got another split which he could only manage to take 3 pins giving him a total of 241. Liew then saw an opportunity to take the match and the title. To the large crowd that had gathered at Jaya Ancol Bowling Center, the southpaw duly replied to strike out to win his fourth international title this year.

"I must say I was a bit uncomfortable in the first match and I could not make as many pocket shots that I wanted," said the newly-crowned champion. "But when I open the second match with a turkey, I knew I could come on strongly to try and take the crucial match.

"Towards the end, I thought I had lost it but when I saw that if I striked home, I would take the title, I took deeper breaths to settle myself and went for it. The champion had taken over the lead from Wu in today's second block of 8 games to make the stepladder as top-seed.

Liew won Rupiah 50 million (approx. US5,000) while the runner-up, settled for Rup 25 million. In the earlier match, Wu ousted second-seed, Biboy Rivera of the Philippines and winner of the first match, Yuyu of Indonesia, 199-195-179.

The first match was won by Yuyu after he defeated fourth-seed, Azidi Ameran and defending champion, Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar, 248-217-209. Rivera dropped to third while Azidi and Yuyu also dropped to fifth and sixth positions respectively.

In the women's division, triple Gold medalist in the 2003 World Championship, Zara Glover silent the local supporters when she outclassed her challenger, Putty Armein, 220-151 to win the women's crown. Glover also led both the two 8-game blocks for the stepladder finals.

Armein struggled throughout the match with 3 splits to end up with 151 to finished as runner-up despite winning both the first and second matches. Armein knocked out Lai Kin Ngoh of Malaysia and Liza Clutario, 257-225-227 and then went on to defeat defending champion and second seed, Liza Del Rosario and third seed, 188-187-162.

The top 16 Asian men and women made the cut for the ABF Tour Indonesia leg which will be played in a knock-out format on the 27th and 28th August at the same venue, Jaya Ancol Bowling Center.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

25th August, Jakarta: High score is the order of the day as the players relished in perfect conditions in the Men's Open Masters first block finals of the 3rd Indonesia International Open Bowling Championship Friday evening.

Wu Siu Hong, who captured the ABF Tour TOC title back in January at the same Jaya Ancol Bowling Center, averaged 245.5 to lead the field of top 36 Asian bowlers with 1964 over the 8-game block. Kuwait's Mansoor Al-Amawi set a cracking pace with a 279 opener but soon lost the lead to Malaysian southpaw, Alex Liew, who posted 249 and 248.

"There were some lucky strikes in the first game when I scored 267 and thereafter, my rythmn was so good that I was able to post massive games to help me take the lead at the halfway mark," said the 21-year-old leader. "I made a lot of good pocket shots and had a lot of pin carry as well. But I must thank my teammates who were cheering me all the way.

Wu finished second to American, Tim Mack in the 2003 Indonesia Open and then outclassed his opponent when he bagged the Tournament of Champions in January. "I hope I can maintain my form and rythmn into the second block tomorrow," added Wu.

Current Asian ranked No. 1, Alex Liew was equally in superb form to finsihed second with 1883. Liew had lines of 249, 248, 210, 218, 220, 253 and 223 to stay ahead of the fast finishing Biboy Rivera. Rivera, who was sixth before the final game, shot the tournament's eighth perfect game and his career 25th to finish third, just 11 pins behind Liew.

Malaysia ended the day on a high when Daniel Lim and Azidi Ameran rounded up the top 5 in fourth and fifth spots with 1844 and 1816 respectively. Yuyu was the best local performer in sixth with 1802 while early pace-setter, Mansoor Al-Amawi and defending champion, Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar ended up in seventh and eighth.

It will take at least a 210 average to make the cut top 16 cut for the ABF Tour Indonesia leg which will be played at the same center on 27th and 28th August and above 224-mark for the top 6 stepladder spots when the finalists contest the 8-game second block tomorrow.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

25th August, Jakarta: Less than 20 pins separated the top three in the Women's Open first block Masters finals of the 3rd Indonesia International Open with England's Zara Glover leading Malaysia's Lai Kin Ngoh and Filipina, Liza Del Rosario.

Glover, who did not win any medals in the Women's World Championship in Aalborg, showed her brilliant form that won her three Gold and one Silver medal in the 2003 World Championship in Malaysia two years ago.

The 22-year-od student from Poole in England, started on the right footing to trail early pace-setter, Sheanny Gunawan of Indonesia, by 4 pins at the start of the 8-game first block. She then picked up her pcae at the halfway mark with a high game of 269 and ended the series with another 265 to lead the field with 1828.

"The lane condition is great here and it was easy to hit the pocket but the important thing is to be ble to get the pin carry," said the leader. "I was trying out with three balls but soon found that the Brunswick Strike Zone was the better one.

Malaysia's Lai Kin Ngoh also shot a high game of 268 in her final game to take second spot with 1817. Defending champion, Liza Del Rosario, who was leading before the eighth game settled for third despite posting 236 in her final game and a total of 1809.

"Overall I bowl well and the 268 in the last game helped me to move up to second," said Kin Ngoh, who won a Bronze medal in the Women’s World Championship early this month. "The competition is very keen and I just can’t afford to bowl anything less than 200 which can drop you down the field.

"I didn’t want to push too much at the beginning and just wanted to pace myself," said the defending champion, Liza Del Rosario. "The 2 high games helped a lot and whoever has better luck tomorrow will win.

Local top-seeded bowler and last year's ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion, Putty Armein did well to stay with the leaders but some 75 pins adrift with 1758 for fourth position. Malaysia's Zandra Aziela, who was at one stage second, completed the top 5 with 1753.

The field of 24 finalists will complete the second block of another 8 games and the top 6 will make the cut for the stepladder finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

24th August, Jakarta: National youth, Cherie Tan Shi Hua gave Singapore its second title in the 3rd Indonesia International Open Bowling Championship when she won the Girl's Under-23 Youth Masters crown Wednesday evening.

Tan, who topped the qualifying table before the start of the 10-game finals, totalled 2050 to finish 31 pins ahead of Malaysia's Noor Hanizah Abu Bakar.

"When Jasmine scored the perfect game in the first game and I only managed to knock down 191, I thought it would be difficult to catch up," said the 17-year-old national youth. "My coach reminded me to stay focus and concentrate on my own game. Then when I started to bring home high games, I knew I had a chance.

Noor Hanizah settled for second with 2019 followed by reigning national champion, Jasmine Yeong Nathan in third with 2004, despite scoring her first-ever perfect game in an international tournament. Jasmine's perfect 300 was the fifth in the championship and will share the US$5,000.

Filipina, Cheche Abrantes took fourth spot with 2000 while Malaysia's Nur Syakirah Yeoh, who was leading the field before the last two games, dropped to fifth with 1965 after two disasterous games.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Al-Mannai of Qatar cruised to an easy win after the youngster posted 2327, 168 pins ahead of his nearest rival. Khalid Al-Dubyan of Kuwait and Malaysia's Syahereza Fajrin of Pyramid Youth Team, tied for second spot with identical score of 2159.

UAE's Mahmood Al-Attar did well to take up fourth spot on 2098 with Kuwait's Rakan Al-Amiri completing the top 5 with 2053. Singapore's only finalist, Stanley Ong came home seventh with 2000 behind another Malaysian youth, Isaac Russell in sixth with 2050.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

24th August, Jakarta: Filipina, Cecilia Yap took over top spot of the Women's Open Masters qualifying leaderboard from teammate, Jojo Canare in the 3rd Indonesia International Open Bowling Championship to give the Philippines a one-two finish.

Yap, who was sixth in the mixed pool, improved her score to take over the lead from teammate, Joj Canare with a superb 970. Yap had lines of 236, 278, 258 and 198 for an average of 242.5. "This is my eighth attempt and I'm glad I was able to qualify," said Ces, as she is frequently called.

"It must have been the noodles I had for lunch that help me here," joked Ces. Jojo Canare, who held the lead from Sunday, dropped to second but was still happy for Ces as they gave Philippines a 1-2 finish. World Youth Singles Gold medalist, Angkana Netrviseth of Thailand was third with 925.

Philippines currently has four in the table with 2003 ABF Tour Philippines champion, Irene Benitez, fourth in the mixed pool on 900 and Cheche Abrantes in sixth on 874.

They will be facing stiff competition from the Malaysian women led by Women's World Championship Bronze medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh (4th-918), current Asian ranked No. 1, Wendy Chai (6th-913), Choy Poh Lai (7th-907), Zandra Aziela (11th-901), Siti Safiyah Amirah (13th-889) and Zatil Iman (13th-871).

The men's division is more hotly contested as they scrambled to get into the finals. Heading the field was Kuwaiti, Khalid Al-Dubyan on 1044 followed by Malaysia's Azidi Ameran in second with 1015 while Monsoor Al-Anami of Qatar in third with 1011.

Singapore's Remy Ong finished fourth ahead of 2004 ABF Tour Grand Slam champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong in fourth with 1009. Fifth in the table came UAE's Sayed Ibrahim (1003), who shot the fourth perfect game of the

tournament earlier today with Korea's Yang Tae Bum wrapping up the top 6 above the 1000-mark. The Men's Graded Masters will be played this evening at 7.00pm while qualifying continues through to 12.30am. The Men's Open and Ladies' Open finals will be held on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

24th August, Jakarta: Singapore youngster, Gina Lim captured her first international title when she triumphed in the Ladies' Graded A Masters finals of the 3rd Indonesia International Open at Jaya Ancol Bowl this morning.

Gina kicked off the 12-game finals with a superb 277 but suffered a slight set back when she could only manage 148 in her third game. Lim, who took the Youth Girls and Ladies Graded A Masters titles in the 36th CDL Singapore National championship in July, recovered to cruised home a comfortable winner.

"I competed here last year and only manage to finish second in the Ladies' Graded B and lost by 1 pin in the Junior Under-15 so I'm very happy to win this time round," said the 15-year-old Singapore Sports Science Sec 3 student. "I was really hoping to finish in the top 3 and to win is certainly a pleasant surprise.

Asked what would be her next target, Gina said: "I'll be back to concentrate

on my year-end exams and after that I'm looking forward to competing in the Milo Junior All Stars this December. Gina totalled 2410 to win the title, 35 pins ahead of Filipina, Trixie De Luna on a score of 2375.

Malaysia's Nur Amelia settled for third spot, just 10 pins adrift on 2365 while locals Yenni M and Raniia A.N. completed the top 5 with 2355 and 2303 respectively. Twenty-two finalists contested the Ladies' Graded Masters title with the champion taking home Rup 6,000,000 (approx. US$600), first runner-up Rup 3,000,000 and second runner-up Rup 2,000,000.

The Men's Graded Masters will be played this evening at 7.00pm while qualifying continues through to 12.30am.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

22nd August, Jakarta:Malaysian, Micky Un hit the first perfect game of the 3rd Indonesia International Open to win US$5,000 but soon found that he had to share with Hong Kong's Rick Ng Kwun Ting, who shot the second at Jaya Ancol Bowling Center this afternoon.

Micky acheived the feat on the final game of in his second 4-game qualifying attempt in the Men's Graded A division posting lines of 199, 199, 216 and the perfect 300 for a total of 914. "This is my second career perfect game and my first in an international championship," exclaimed the beaming Micky.

"My first 300 was two months ago in the house tournament back home which I only won a bowling shoe and a hamper, so today's perfect game is my biggest acheivement," added the Selangor Open Graded champion. Just as Micky thought he had pocketted the ful US$5,000, two squad later, Ricky Ng Kwun Ting from Hong Kong knocked down the second at the 4.00pm squad.

Ng, who shot his first perfect game just last month during the Chinese Taipei Open, opened his account with 300, followed by 187, 193 and 203 for a total of 883.

"I guess I didn't quite settle down after the perfect game which affected my qualifying attempt to only total 883," said the 21-year-old. "I know what line I need to bowl now so perhaps I will do better tomorrow.

Two other bowlers came near to sharing the US$5,000 perfect game prize. Singapore's Carl De Vries strung together 10 consecutive strikes only to see a stuborn pin 10 standing on his 11th throw to end up with 289 in the doubles event with renigning Singapore National champion, Jason Yeong Nathan.

Angelo Carandang, who used to reside here when his father was working in Jakarta, came close to his first perfect game when he managed 288 in the Men's Graded B division.

Meanwhile, Kuwait's Khalid Al-Dubyan topped the Men's Open qualifying leaderboard with 1044 scored two days ago.

The 18-year-old Kuwaiti national youth member, who won three Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal in the GCC Youth Championship, is ahead of Mansoor Al-Anami of Qatar on a score of 1011. Busan Asian Games triple Gold medalist, Remy Ong stormed into third spot with 1006 with lines of 246, 236, 279 and 245.

The fourth bowler to surpass the 1000-mark was Sayed Ibrahim of UAE taking fourth spot with 1003 followed by 2002 Malaysian Open champion, Saeed Al-Hajri finishing in the top 5 with 988.

In the women's division, Filipina, Jojo Canare occupied top spot with a superb 931 in her first attempt to lead the table. Women's World Championship Bronze medalist, Lai Kin Ngoh of Malaysia took second spot with 918 ahead of reigning Singapore National champion, Jasmine Yeong Nathan in third with 914. The 16-year-old Jasmine had lines of 241, 224, 224 and 225 in her second attempt after arriving here with five other team members.

"Jasmine is not only an intelligent bowler but she also has the confidence to do well," said coach William Woo. "She is constantly finding the right line to bowl which will allow herself to score well and get good carry.

Amongst the overseas qualifiers are six seeded local men and four seeded local women in both the divisions. Ryan Lalisang heads the men's local

pool with 2004 Indonesia Open champion, Novie Phang and Sheany Gunawan. Qualifying continues through to the 24th August and the first block of the Masters finals will be contested on Thursday, 25th August.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.

21st August, Jakarta: A colorful opening ceremony got the 3rd Indonesia International Open Bowling Championship underway at Jaya Ancol Bowling Center Sunday night attended by government dignitaries and distinguished guests of the bowling fraternity.

The Honorable Bpk. Sri Sudono Sumarto, Deputy Chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia, graced the ocassion to declare the bowling championship opened, witness by a long list of government officials and distiguished guests. They included, His Excellency Bpk. Adhyaksa Dault, Minister of Youth and Sports of Indonesia, FIQ Secretary General, Dr Danny Santos, Mr Isra M. Tahir, Deputy Chairman of Jakarta Bowling Association and Mr Maxi Gunawan, Chairman of the Indonesia Bowling Congress.

Also present were several ambassadors of the participating countries, team officials, members of the press and bowlers. During the opening, the guests were treated to a traditional "Saman Dance" performed by the local cultural group from Jakarta.

"The Indonesia Open has grown since its first in 2003, thanks largely to the dedication and hardwork put in not only by the Indonesia Bowling Congress, but also Jaya Ancol Bowling Center, which has taken the task of ensuring the success and popularity of the championship," said Dr Danny Santos, FIQ Secretary General.

This year's championship is by far the biggest with a total of 210 bowlers and officials participating from over 13 countries. They included Chinese Taipei, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, UAE, USA, Vietnam and host, Indonesia.

A star-studded field of bowlers include Ahmed Shaheen, AMF World Cup and defending champion, four-time AMF World Cup champion, Paeng Nepomuceno, three Gold medalist at the 2003 Word Championship, Zara

Glover of England, C.J. Suarez, 2003 AMF World Cup champion, ABF Tour - TOC champions, Wu Siew Hong of Hong Kong and Wendy Chai of Malaysia, 2004 Qatar International Open and 4 Gold medalist at the Busan Asian Games, Remy Ong of Singapore.

Also at the championship is Alex Liew of Malaysia, current Asian ranked No. 1 and winner of the ABF Tour Qatar leg and Bahrain Open, Bronze medalist at the 2005 Women's World Championship, Lai Kin Ngoh of Malaysia, Women's defending champion, Liza Del Rosario with her 2003 Trios Gold medal winning teammates, Liza Clutario and Cecilia Yap. Newly-crowned Singapore National champions, Jason and Jasmine Yeong Nathan are also at the championship together with a small group of Singapore National Youths.

Pitching against these top-class bowlers will be Indonesia's very own, Ryan Lalisang, 2004 ABF Tour Malaysia leg champion, Putty Armein, 2004 ABF Tour Indonesia leg champion and 2003 Indonesia Open champion, Novie Phang.

Qualifying is on-going and will end on Wednesday, 24th August. The 35 from the local, overseas, mixed pools together with the defending champion in the men's open division and 23 from the local, overseas, mixed pools together with the defending champion in the women's division will bowl their first block of 8 games on Thursday, 25th August and another 8 games in the second block on Friday, 26th August. The top 6 at the end of the two blocks will make the cut for the stepladder finals to determine this year's champion.

The top 16 Asian men and women from this final will also qualify for the ABF Tour Indonesia leg which will be played over the single knockout match format on 27th and 28th August at the same venue, Jaya Ancol Bowling Center.

Jaya Ancol Bowling Center will also play host to the 19th Asian Intercity Bowling Championship that will be held from the 29th August to the 4th September. A total of 16 teams from the cities of Asia have confirmed their participation and will arrive Jakarta from 28th August onwards. Some of these teams are already competiting in the 3rd Indonesia Open.

Photos by Terence Yaw, MTBC.