Singaporeans in strong positions
Singapore's Tan Yan Ling, who posted 194, 235 and 219 in her third three games, shot a superb 257 to take over the running at the halfway mark, 20 pins ahead of the Taiwanese. Tan continued to set the pace with another fine 226 after the fifth game extending the margin to 52 pins.
A 190 in the sixth game from Tan allowed team-mate, Gina Lim to trail in second and closing the gap to 38 pins. But Tan bounced back with a splendid 245 to stretch her lead with Tang Ya-Chun moving back up to second and 83 pins adrift.
Singapore's women are in a strong position with Tan in second, Gina Lim finishing third with 1675, Bernice Lim in fourth with 1658 and Teo Li Ying in fifth with 1646. Fok Ka Wai took 14th position with 1559.
Chinese Taipei had plenty to cheer as Tang Te-Ming snatched pole position with 1877 after a keen tussle for the lead with Hong Kong's Joshua Chow. Chow settled for second with 1860, just 17 pins adrift the leader.
Defending champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong did well to take up third spot with 1828 ahead of two Taiwanese, Fan Ming-Chi and Chen Wu-Chi in fourth and fifth positions. Another Hong Kong national, Lau Kwun Ho completed the top 6.
The finalists will resume with their second block with another 8 games on Sunday, December 5 to determine the top 6 ladies and top 6 men advancing to the stepladder finals.