15th April, Bangkok: 16th April, Bangkok: Michael Mak of Hong Kong captured his fifth tour title with victory in the Men's final of the ABF Tour Thailand 2017 while Sin Li Jane of Malaysia claimed her first-ever tour title in the women's division at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin.
Mak edged tour debutant, Jay Leon Guerrero of Guam, in a thrilling 254-242 title match while Sin brushed aside last year's champion and compatriot, Sharon Koh, 235-203 in the all-Malaysian women's final match.
Both started off the final with a strike but Guerrero added three more strikes to take a slender lead after Mak responded with double in the third and fourth frames. The Hong Kong national downed another strike in the fifth to move just two pins ahead after Guerrero managed on 7-pin spare.
Guerrero regain the lead after Mak encountered a split in the sixth frames but could not take advantage of the tie when Mak recovered with three more strikes from frame seven. An opened frame in the seventh by Guerrero swung the tie back to Mak.
Michael Mak with his fifth tour trophy
Despite finishing off with a double in the ninth and tenth frame, Mak spared his final frame to seal a well earned victory.
The champion sailed past sole Thai player, Annop Aromsarannon, 268-245 in the second semi-final match to advance to the finals. Guerrero edged Rafiq Ismail of Malaysia, 200-190 in the first semi-final to book his place in the finals against Mak. The champion took home US$500 leaving Guerrero settling for US$300. Both the losing semi-finalists were awarded US$150 each.
In the women's division, Malaysian women showed their prowess when four players occupied the semi-final spots. In the women's final match, Sin started off better with four strikes-in-a-row while Koh spared her first two frames and then a double.
An opened frame by Sin in the sixth frame allowed Koh to draw level but disaster struck Koh when she missed a single pin in the seventh frame then followed by two splits. Sin struck twice putting the match beyond her compatriot.
The champion thrashed another team-mate and tour debutant, Nur Syazwani Sahar, 264-197 in the second semi-final match to advance to the finals while Koh needed a strike in her final frame to edge Siti Safiyah, 231-230 to reach the finals.
Sin picked up the trophy and US$500 while Koh settled for US$300. Both the losing semi-finalist went home with US$150 each. Mr Wiwatchai Ratanarat, Thai Tenpin Bowling Association committee member, gave away the trophies and prized to the winners.
First-ever tour trophy for Sin Li Jane
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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