Jakarta – World champion Biboy Rivera brought home a convincing victory over challenger Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong to capture his first-ever tour title in the Indonesian leg of the Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour at Jaya Ancol Bowl while Malaysia’s Lai Kin Ngoh celebrated a double after emerging as women’s champion.
Local favorite, Putty Armein and Wu Siu Hong again played second fiddle when Armein lost to Lai Kin Ngoh and Wu lost to another Malaysian, Alex Liew in the same leg last year.
At the start of the men’s final match, Rivera opened with a double even as Wu had an opened frame. Disaster struck again in the third frame for Wu while Rivera made no mistakes to take the lead.
Wu just could not repeat the form he displayed during the semifinals when he disposed of top Indonesian contender, Ryan Lalisang, 234-214, in the semifinals. He went on to finish a disappointing 168 as Rivera romped home another comfortable victory with 209 to claim his first-ever tour title.
“After the Doha Asian Games, I had to rest more than two months to nurse a knee injury,” said Rivera. “I only started to train intensively a month ago and maybe I’m fresher.”
“Match against a tough opponent like Wu is not easy as he always performs well in competition like this tour. I’m delighted that I can finally win a tour title,” added Rivera, the 2006 Men World’s Championship Masters gold medalist.
The champion had reached the finals after he denied another Hong Kong challenger, Daniel Yiu, 257-208, in the other semifinals. He was equally impressive taking out Korea’s Han Ji-Hoon, 214-188, in round one and Thailand’s Yannaphon Larpapharat, 257-205, in round two.
In the women’s division, Lai Kin Ngoh of Malaysia celebrated a double when the ex-national defeated local favorite, Armein of Indonesia, 216-188. Lai had again denied the Indonesian at the same leg last year.
Both started the match cautiously but an opened frame in the third from Armein gave Lai some breathing space. But Armein recovered to knock down three consecutive strikes to take a slender lead at the halfway mark.