National champion earns entry to Round 3
26th March, K.Lumpur: Reigning National champion, Jazreel Tan earned an automatic entry into Round 3 of the Ladies' Open Masters finals of the Canon 31st Malaysian International Open as topseed in the overseas qualifying table. Jazreel Tan, who shot 934 to occupy top spot, will be joined by teammate, Amanda Ng after chalking up a superb 928 for third place and also earning an entry into Round 3 in the newly-introduced elimination knockout format this year.
The reigning national champion had taken to the lanes at Pyramid Mega Lanes to register 911 on lines of 188, 231, 246 and 246 but on her second attempt, Jazreel set the lanes on fire with lines of 236, 223, 238 ans 237 to take over top spot yesterday.
Under the new format introduced in the championship for the finals, the top 3 qualifiers in the overseas pool will automatically qualify for Round 3 knockout stage while qualifiers from fourth to sixth will progress to Round 2.
Likewise, the top 3 from the local pool will also gain entry into Round 3 and bowlers from fourth to sixth will progress to Round 2. The remaining 20 and the defending champion will have to battle it out in the 6-game Round 1 to finish in the top 8 for Round 2.
Another 6 games will be bowled in Round 2 by the fourth to sixth qualifers from both the local and overseas pool together with the top 8 from Round 1. Again the top 8 in Round 2 will join the first to third overseas and loval qualifiers for another 6 games.
Finally the top 8 after Round 3 will proceed to the elimination 2-game total pinfalls knockout stage where the highest seed will play the lowest seed, second seed with seventh seed and so on to move further into the semifinals. Winners of the semifinals will then play in the title match to determine the champion.
Former national champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, who was third yesterday, dropped to fourth in the overseas pool as a result of Amanda's score of 928. But Jasmine will move into Round 2 and skipping the Round 1 roll-off.
Other Singaporeans, Geraldine Ng finished top of the mixed pool and 21st overall with 873 followed by Daphne Tan fourth in the same pool and 24th overall with 850. Bernice Lim dropped to 11th and 31st overall with 825 and needs to improve to assure herself a spot in the finals.
The Singapore men have not made much impact with Benjamin Lim being the best performer occupying first place in the mixed pool with 955 and 25th overall but crucially has assured himself a spot in the finals.
Shaun Ng Qenn finished 28th with 937 while Lee Yu-Wen took up 32nd position with 933. Remy Ong tied the last qualifying position with Malaysia's Mohd Noer Said on 914 and if no one makes the table on the last day of qualification, may have to roll-off one game to break the tie.
Photos by B.C. Cheah, MTBC.