Singapore still in medal contention
4th July, Anyang, Korea: Doubles gold medalists, Bernice Lim and Daphne Tan teamed up with bronze medalists, New Hui Fen and Geraldine Ng to finish a creditable fifth in the first block of the Women’s Team event at the 4th Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games on Thursday to remain in contention for more medals.
The Singapore quartet stumbled to a weak start managing a lowly 722 team total at the opening game as their arch rival, Korea open account with a splendid 863 to lead Thailand by 48 pins.
Under extreme pressure especially after having delivered two gold medal at the games so far, Team Singapore just could not get into their usual strides while Korea pulled away with another good game of 815 in the second to stretch their lead to 71 pins over the Thais.
Determined to keep fighting, New, Ng, Lim and anchorwomen, Tan fired a sizzling 854 in the third game to haul themselves up into fifth with 2324 and in contention for the top 4 finishing.
The women just finished 2 pins behind fourth-place Japan, who totaled 2326. Korea’s Son Yun Hee, Lee Na Young, Hwang Yeon Ju and Jung Da Wun registered the highest single game of 957 to end the first block with 2635.
The Koreans finished with a commanding lead of 256 pins over Thailand, who totaled 2379 while Malaysia stormed home to clinch third spot with 2347 pinfalls.
Earlier in the Men’s Team event, Korea also set a high 3-game series of 2674 with lines of 892, 875 and 907 to lead a field of 17 teams. United Arab Emirates took second spot with 2599.
Hong Kong anchored by Singles gold medalist, Michael Mak suffered a lowly second game before bouncing back with a strong third game to claimed third spot with 2505 while Malaysia clinched fourth position with 2485.
Singapore’s Javier Tan, Keith Saw, Joel Tan and Muhammad Jaris Goh rolled 795, 739 and 816 to finished tenth with 2350, 135 pins from fourth-placed Malaysia.
The women will return to Anyang Hogye Gymnasium Bowling Center tomorrow morning for their second block of 3 games over long oil pattern. The men will resume with their second block in the afternoon. The top 4 men team and top 4 women team will qualify for the semi-finals shootout round on July 6.
Detailed scores: Women’s Team Block 1 | Men’s Team Block 1 | Photo Album.Photos by Terence Yaw in Anyang, Korea.