Jeremy Fang emerges as National Masters champion
19th April, Singapore: Second-seed, Jeremy Fang defeated topseed, Marc Wee Ming Lai 196-182 in the title match to emerged as National Masters Challenge 2008 champion at Superbowl Jurong on Saturday evening. Both bowlers started off cautiously in the deciding match but as soon as topseed, Marc Wee had an open frame in the second, challenger, Jeremy Fang stepped into top gear to chalked up five consecutive strikes to build up a comfortable margin.
Another open frame from Wee in the fourth frame allowed Jeremy to ease off to a 196-182 victory over Wee. The champion had earlier forced Wee into the sudden-death decider after he beat his opponent 211-183 in the first match.
Jeremy earned a crack at the title after he had earlier dispatched third-seed, Travis Tay, 204-189 before outclassing young Wee for his first major title. The top 30 finalist from the three days of competition over 18 games, bowled an additional 10 games in the Masters finals.
Top qualifier, Gregory Gan, who led throughout the three days, only managed to finish sixith with 2098. Wee topped the field with 2170, 16 pins ahead of Jeremy in second with 2166 and Travis Tay third with 2113.
Paiman Bin Dali missed the stepladder finals despite finishing third with a same score as Wee but ended up in fourth because of a lower last game of 215 to Wee's 225. Ong She-Na was the best female bowler finishing fifth with 2110.
Jeremy collected $3,000 for his effort while Marc settled for $1,500 and Travis took home $800.
Photos by Terence Yaw.