18th April, Bangkok: Hong Kong national bowler, Eric Tseng did well to finish second runner-up in the ABF Tour Thailand 2016 as Australia's Sam Cooley won his third men's tour title and Malaysia's Sharon Koh her career first in the women's division.
An opened frame in the first proved costly for Tseng whilst he trailed opponent, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand in the semi-final match. Although Tseng recovered with three strikes-in-a-row from frame three, the Thai also rolled three strikes-in-a-row from frame seven.
The 27-year-old fought on with a double in the eighth and ninth frames but a split in the tenth frame sealed his faith and Yannaphon went on to win the match, 236-199 by striking home. Cooley dispatched debutant, Muhd Nur Aiman of Malaysia, 235-195 in the other semi and advanced to face Yannaphon in the final.
Cooley almost rolled a perfect game when he thrashed Yannaphon, 295-216 in the final to win his third career tour title. His two titles came in Bangkok (2013) and Hong Kong (2015). The Aussie also picked up US$1,000 for his victory.
Eric Tseng receiving his prize from Ms Vivien Lau
The champion fired two big games en-route to the semi-finals. He defeated Syaffique Ikhwan of Malaysian, 267-247 in the first round and eliminated Annop Arromsaranon of Thailand, 264-219 in Round 2. Yannaphon settled for US$500 as first runner-up while Tseng and Nur Aiman earned US$250 each for second and third runner-ups.
Meanwhile, Milki Ng of Hong Kong crashed out in her opening round when she lost to Malaysia's Hee Kar Yen, 162-163. Hee beat Thailand's Tanaprang Sathean, 195-156 and Indonesia's Novie Phang 191-148 in the first semi-final match to reach the final.
Malaysia's Sharon Koh sidelined another Indonesian and first runner-up of Thailand Open, Tannya Roumimper, 224-204 to advance to the final. Koh went on to beat Hee, 227-213 in the all-Malaysian final to win her first-ever career tour title.
The champion edged Thailand's Thitima Thongsaard, 188-179 in Round 1 and compatriot, Dayang Khairuniza, 227-190 to reach the semi-final. Koh pocketed US$1,000 for her victory and Hee US$500. Roumimper and Phang took home US$250 each.
Ms Vivien Lau, seretary general of World Bowling and ABF Tour organizing chairman was on hand to present the prizes to the winners.
Sam Cooley and Sharon Koh with their trophies
The ABF Tour Thailand 2016 leg is the first of six legs to be staged in East Asia with the official partner, Alisports providing the prize money of US$4,000 for each leg. The next stop will be in Macau, China on June 27.
There will be four ABF ranking tournaments in West Asia and six legs in East Asia. For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.
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