High score dictates first block finals

28th September, Singapore: Scores went through the roof as bowlers took to the lanes at Superbowl SAFRA Mount Faber for the Men's Open Masters first block of the 40th Singapore International Open with Thailand's Somjed Kuonpithak leading the pack.  Mika Koivuniemi of Finland, set an early pace for the first 3 games of the 8-game block but was soon overtaken by Somjed Kusonpithak, who went on to top Stage 1 ahead of Singapore's Remy Ong and Koivuniemi in second and third.

Two back-to-back high games of 269 and 276 moved the Thai to the lead after the third and fourth games with Malaysia's Daniel Lim closely behind after Lim hit the tournament's fifth perfect game.

High scores continued to dictate the block as 7 consecutive strikes annoucements were made over the PA system at every game. The leader, Somjed came close to hitting the sixth perfect 300 but left pin 7 standing to score 299 and stretching his lead further.

Even at the final game, another Thai, Yannaphon Larpapharat came close leaving pin 10 for another 299. Singapore's Stanley Ong, who finished second in the Youth finals in the morning, had 11 consecutive strikes but the southpaw left a pin 7 to end with yet another 299.

Somjed topped the block with 1981, 104 pins ahead of the fast finishing Remy Ong of Singapore in second on 1877. 2004 PBA Bowler of the Year, Mika Koivuniemi ended up third with 1875. Guam's Jey Leon Guerrero and Singapore's Carl de Vries rounded up the top 5.

The men will bowl another 8 games in the second block tomorrow at 9.30am while the women will contest their first block later this evening.

Photos by Terence Yaw.