A cracking start for Singapore
3rd July, Singapore: Team Singapore had a cracking start in the opening game of the Boy's Team event of the 1st Asian Youth Games but ended up third at the end of the first block behind Japan and Hong Kong at Orchid Bowl on Friday. Doubles bronze medalist, Brandon Lee and Christopher Hwang, who teamed up with Basil Low and Justin Lim, gave Singapore a dream start in the opening game of the Boy's Team event with a record-breaking 946.
Basil led the charge with a scintillating 268, followed by Brandon shooting 207, Christopher 243 and Justin Lim anchoring the team with 229 for a 67 pins lead over Team Philippines in second and Japan third.
But the Singaporean boys failed to repeat their first game pace and posted a humiliating 703 when they reached a pair of difficult lanes in the second game. Japan's Satoshi Hamanaka, Yusuke Yamamoto, Hiroki Takada and Takuma Echigo surged into the lead with Singapore dropping to third.
Philippines trailed in second, 13 pins adrift with Hong Kong team moving up to fourth position. Fortunately for Singapore, the boys recovered from their hugh setback to end the block with a stronger 835 to retain third with 2485.Japan hung on to the lead with 2552, just 7 pins ahead of the strong-finishing Hong Kong in second on 2545 after a superb 905 third game. Philippines dropped to fourth with 2412.
"I guessed we were too eager to shoot another high game after the first game and that was probably a lesson well learned," said Christopher Hwang.
"The lanes during our second game was also eratic but we're not blaming the lanes, we just lost a bit of focus," said Justin Lim, who anchored the team. "We'll make sure we stay focus throughout the next block.
The boys will resume their second block on Saturday afternoon while the girls will commence their first block of 3 games later today and their second block tomorrow morning.
Photos by Terence Yaw for SBF.