11th November, Manila: Syafiq Ridhwan of Malaysia captured his first-ever international title when he defeated Hong Kong's challenger, Cyrus Cheung, 238-208 in the 10th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic at Pearl Bowling Centre on Sunday.

Syafiq Ridhwan, who has been in the Malaysian national team for almost 5 years, finally nailed his first-ever international crown in the tightly fought deciding stepladder match. Syafiq opened accounts with two spares and a strike as his opponent, Cheung got a spare and double strike to take a 10 pin lead.

Whilst Cheung managed only two spares in his next two frames, the Malaysian was still trailing with just a spare and a strike. Another strike in the sixth frame allowed Syafiq to draw level but Cheung responded with two more strikes to regain the lead in the seventh frame.

Disaster struck the Hong Kong national bowler as he picked up a 7-pin split in frame 9 and subsequently failed to spare. With the pressure off Syafiq, he struck home to end the match 238 while Cheung could only manage a spare and 7 pin in his final frame ending with 208.

"I'm so happy with my first title," said the delighted Syafiq, who will turn 21 at the end of this November. "I had a great start in the finals this morning to lead this strong field and I said to myself that I'm not going to let this opportunity slip by again and make sure I qualify for the stepladder finals.

Cyrus Cheung, who made the stepladder finals finishing sixth in the earlier finals, settled for second despite narrowly ousting fellow compatriot and fifth-seed, Eric Tseng Tak Hin and newly-crowned Guam Open champion, Purvis Granger, 256-248-201 in the first match.

The runner-up put up another superb display to oust second-seed, Zaid Izlan of Malaysia and third-seed, Kritchawat Jampakao of Thailand, 258-221-238 before crumpling to the Syafiq in the title match.

Syafiq Ridhwan took home 150,000 pesos (US$3,500) for winning the title while Cheung picked up 80,000 pesos (US$1,800) for finishing second. Kritchawat finished third to win only 40,000 pesos (US$950).

Malaysia's Muhd Nur Aiman was unlucky to miss the top 6 cut for the stepladder ending up in seventh depsite rallying on in his last two games with 268 and 254 but Cheung posted 278 in his last game to pip the Malaysian by 24 pins.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

10th November, Manila: Malaysian national youths dominated the Youth Masters finals of the 10th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic as Cheng Wei Siang led second perfect gamer, Muhammad Fazrin and Tunku Haifaa for the top 3 positions.

The unheralded Chong Wei Siang defied the odds to clinch his first-ever international youth title when the 14-year-old emerged the champion with a total of 1986 which included a 15-pin handicap per game. Playing in his first international assignment, the student of Johor Bahru, south of Malaysia posted 1866 scratch for the victory.

"I'm very happy and lucky to win this title with the help of the handicap," said Chang, who is coach by John Liow since taking up the game three years ago. Chang was also the highest-ranked Under-16 finalist in the GP Finals rankings where he finished first runner-up.

Another 16-year-old, Muhammad Fazrin Khairul Faizi got his supporters on their feet as he reeled off 12-consecutive strikes to become the second bowler to hit the perfect game in game three of the finals en-route to taking second position with a total of 1893.

Tunku Haifaa Tunku Osman completed an all Malaysian podium finish with a total of 1867 inclusive of a 15-pin per game handicap. The 16-year-old student from Pahang also became the best female finisher in a field which comprised of eighth girls.

Ahmad Muaz completed a great day for Malaysia finishing fourth. The 14-year-old from Sungei Petani, northern of Kedah, totaled 1820 with a 10-pin per game handicap. Hong Kong's Eric Tseng Tak Hin made up the top 5 in fifth spot with 1811.

The Open division semifinals will be staged tomorrow morning for 8 games and the top 6 will proceed to the stepladder finals to determine this year's champion.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

10th November, Manila: Ex-Singapore national youth, Benjamin Hong captured Classified title of the 10th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic outlcassing perfect gamer, Thanuphon Puangmalee of Thailand, 253-187 in the title stepladder match.

Top-seed, Benjamin Hong of Singapore was simply a class above the field of 24 finalists after ending the 8-game finals as top-seed with 1748 pinfalls. In the title match against challenger, Thanuphone Puangmalee of Thailand, Benjamin had a cracking start reeling off sixth consecutive strikes to take a commanding lead.

Despite a slight mistake in which he threw his first ball in seventh frame into the gutter and failed to make a spare, the champion rebounded with four more strikes and a 9 to end the match with 253.

Thanuphon had no answer to Hong's hot streak going down 187. The third-seed had earlier knocked out second-seed Jerod Santos of the Philippines and winner of the first stepladder match, Cecilia Yap, 253-179-173 in the second match but found the champion too strong to contend with.

Filipina Cecilia Yap, who finished fifth in the finals, ousted fourth-seed, Ezzie Gan and Chinese Taipei's Kuo Mei Ling, 197-157-186 to face the second and third seed in Match 2 of the 6-player stepladder finals.

Benjmain won 150,000 pesos (US$3,500) for his efforts while first runner-up, Thanuphon took home 80,000 pesos (US$1,800) and second runner-up Jerod won 40,000 pesos (US$950).

Photos by Terence Yaw.

9th November, Manila: Two-time Malaysian Open champion, Kritchawat Jampakao spinned his way into the lead of the 10th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic at the end of the third block qualifying round at Pearl Bowling Centre.

Kritchawat Jampakao, who first came into the bowling scene in the mid ninties winning back-to-back Malaysian Open, posted 1732 in his third and final block of 8 games to snatch the lead going into the next round.

The Thai had started his campaign in third after the first block on Wednesday with 1806 behind little-knowned Malaysian youngster, Chong Jun Foo leading the pack and Hong Kong's Eric Tseng in second.

Macau Asian Indoor Games Singles quarterfinalist, Muhd Nur Aiman of Malaysia took over the lead after the second block on a 16-game total of 3687 with Kritchawat closing in with 3601 on a 1795 series. The leader then took advantage of the Nur Aiman's lowly third block of 1608 to end the qualifying round on top with 5333 with another consistent 1732 series.

Filipina, Apple Posadas stormed into second spot after a scintillating 1845 series with handicap making her the best female finisher amongst the top men on a 24-game total of 5329. Eric Tseng and Taiwanese veteran, Wang Tien Fu rounded up the top 5 in fourth and fifth spots.

The final and 24th qualifier into the next round went to Japan's Masa Ishizuka, who totaled 4804 averaging 200.17. The top 24 will move into the semifinals for another 8 games at the end of which the top 6 will proceed to the stepladder finals.

Top qualifier in the Youth division was Hong Kong's Eric Tseng with 5254 followed by Malaysia's Khoo Beng Khai and Apple Posadas of the Philippines second and third.

Perfect gamer, Thanuphon Puangmalee of Thailand topped the Classified division with 5018 with Filipina, Cecilia Yap and Guam's Frank Russo second and third.

Photos by Terence Yaw.

8th November, Manila: Macau Asian Indoor Games Singles quarterfinalist, Muhd Nur Aiman of Malaysia, took over the lead of the 10th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic after the second block ended on Wednesday.

Muhd Nur Aiman, who was fourth in the opening block 123 pins behind leader, Chong Jun Foo, stormed into the fray with lines of 235, 248, 188, 188, 206, 277, 256 and 288 for an impressive 1886 total. In his eighth game, The left-hander reeled off 10 consecutive strikes with a solid 1-2 pocket on the 11th frame only to see pin 7 standing unscathed.

Two-time Malaysian Open champion, Kritchawat Jampakao of Thailand maintained second position this time behind another Malaysian with 3601 after scoring 1795 in is second block.

Chinese Taipei's veteran, Wang Tien Fu surged into third spot after posting the highest 8-game series of the block with 1905 to give the Taiwanese a total of 3599. Malaysia's Zaid Izlan and Filipina, Apple Posadas rounded up the top 5 with 3487 and 3484 respectively.

The lead in the Youth division also changed hands with Tunku Haifaa taking over with a superb 1638 bringing her total to 3477. Hong Kong's Eric Tseng and first block leader, Chong Jun Foo finished second and third.

Perfect Gamer, Thanuphon Puangmalee of Thailand maintained pole in the Classified division despite a lowly 1571 second block. But his total of 3363 was 6 pins ahead of Filipino, Mar Serac in second with 3357. Gam's Frank Russo took third spot with 3343.

The bowlers will continue with their third block on Friday and the top 24 will make the cut for the semifinals. The top 6 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the stepladder finals.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.

7th November, Manila: Little-known Malaysian national youth, Chong Jun Foo, stunned his more illustrious opponents at the 10th PBAP Bevida-Storm International Classic to lead the opening first block at Pearl Bowling Centre.

Jun Foo, who is competing in his first international event, fired lines of 225, 269, 236, 258, 258, 188 and 234 for a remarkable 1924 total to lead both the Youth and Open divisions. However, it is still too early to say whether Jun Foo will be able to maintain his form in the following 16 games to qualify among the top 24 bowlers for the second round.

Hong Kong's Eric Tseng Tak Hin tied with Thailand's Kritchawat Jampakao in second with 1806, 118 pins adrift the Malaysian youngster. 2nd Asian Indoor Games Singles quarterfinalist, Muhd Nur Aiman finished fourth with 1801 with Filipina, Cecilia Yap making up the top 5 in fifth with 1797.

Whilst Jun Foo topped the Youth division with a 15 pin per game handicap added to his 1924 score, fellow teammate, Tunku Haifaa Tunku Osman took second spot with 1839 and Eric Tseng third.

Another newcomer, Thanuphone Puangmalee of Thailand, recorded the first perfect game of the tournament en-route to topping the Classified division with 1792 ahead of two Filipinos, Noel Bautista and Cecilia Yap in second and third.

The bowlers will bowl altogether three blocks of 8 games, divided into three squads and the top 24 at the end of the 24 games will move into the semifinals for another 8 games. The top 6 at the end of the semifinals will proceed to the stepladder finals.

Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC and courtesy of Jbowlmart.