Ten Singapore national bowlers make finals
15th April, Bangkok: A total of five men and five women made the Round 2 finals at the end of qualifying rounds at the 42nd MWA Singha Thailand International Open Tenpin Bowling Championships at Blu-O Ryhthm & Bowl Ratchayothin on Friday evening.
Heading Singapore’s men challenge is Jonovan Neo, who totaled 3345 to finish 9th in the overall standings after four squads have completed their three blocks of qualifying rounds. Basil Ng, who was third before the third block, slipped down to 12th position with 3297.
Norman Cai, who was in 27th position after the second block, improved up to 15th with 3282. Ahmad Safwan and Cheah Ray Han were the remaining two men to make the finals in 21st and 28th positions with 3234 and 3182 respectively.
Syaiffique Ikhwan of Malaysia topped the overseas pool with 3466. Squad B leader, Alex Liew of Malaysia made the top bracket in second with 3457 while Squad A leader of the first block, Sam Cooley of Australia finished third with 3405.
Two-time Thailand Open champion and 2014 Asian Games Singles gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat posted an identical 3466 for top spot in the local pool. Kim Bolleby and Atchariya Cheng occupied second and third positions with 3461 and 3264 respectively.
The cut at 32nd position went to 2014 Asian Championship Masters gold medalist, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia with 3168. Jassem Alsaqer of Kuwait missed the cut by 5 pins.
Phumin Klanbida of Thailand topped the one-game desperado squad with 253 to qualify for Round 2 finals. Eric Tseng of Hong Kong and Wan Syahmi of Malaysia tied in second with 235 while the fourth and final spot went to Jay Leon Guerrero of Guam with 225.
The top 3 overseas and top 3 local qualifiers earned a bye and automatically advance to Round 3 finals. Qualifiers positioned 7 to 32 plus the four desperado qualifiers will contest Round 2 finals on April 17.
In the women’s division, Squad C second block leader, Geraldine Ng of Singapore made Round 2 finals in tenth position with 3107. Tay Hui Wen and Tracy See joined Ng in 12th and 14th positions with 3092 and 3048 respectively.
Amanda Lee and Jasmine Yeong-Nathan made up the five Singapore women in the finals in 16th and 19th positions. Three-times Singapore Open champion, Sin Li Jane topped the overseas pool with 3354. Natasha Roslan and Esther Cheah gave Malaysia a one-two-three finish in second and third with 3352 and 3218.
Winner of two ABF Tour Thailand legs, Yanee Saebae topped the local pool with 3287, well ahead of team-mates, Tanaprang Sathean and Thitima Thongsaard in second and third with 3006 and 2916. The top 3 overseas and top 3 local qualifiers also earn a bye and automaticall advance to Round 3 finals.
Top Singapore women qualifier, Geraldine Ng
The cut at 24th position went to Dayang Khairuniza of Malaysia with 2193 while Chan Shuk Han of Hong Kong missed the cut by four pins.
Qualifiers will bowl 6 games in Round 2 finals on April 17 and the top 18 men and top 8 women will be joined by the six seeded qualifiers for another 6 games in Round 3 finals. The top 6 men and top 6 women at the end of ROund 3 will proceed to the stepladder shootout finals.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.