Ryan leads at Ancol bowl center
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian men's bowler Ryan Lalisang put on an impressive performance to win all nine games to lead the US$75,000 Tournament of Champions at the Jaya Ancol Bowl Center on Thursday.
Wendy Chai of Malaysia topped the women's division, which played an opening eight games on the day.
In the round-robin format of competition, confident Ryan rampaged through all nine games to score a total of 2,233 points, including 90 bonus points.
An extra 10-point bonus is awarded for a win while a draw is worth an extra five points.
Two of Ryan's wins came at the expense of big names, favorite Ahmed Shaheen of Qatar and Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) Tour's top ranked Chester King of the Philippines.
Ryan outclassed Shaheen 290-215 in game three, and upset King 258-193 in game seven.
Ryan scored low points twice, though he was still able to scrape to victory. He collected a low of 202 points in game four in his defeat of Mubarak Al Murikhi of Qatar, who was content to amass 172 points.
The Indonesian's 203 in game six was enough to beat Fadhel Al Mousawi of Kuwait by 10.
"I did not bowl well enough in those two games...but I still won. Overall, I feel I was in good form today," Ryan said.
Although he topped the standings, Ryan will try to remain focused. "I am in top position now.. but I will not be carried away by the prospect. It's better to think from zero again to help maintain good form."
Adrian Ang of Malaysia, who won eight games, was second with 2,191 points, while Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong was third with 2,188 with four wins, a draw and four losses.
Shaheen was fifth with 2,067 and King was 11th with 1,991.
In the women's division, Wendy grabbed the first position at the first day of the tournament with a total of 1,849 after she booked five wins, a draw and two losses.
Liza Del Rosario of the Philippines followed in second place with 1,844, while Indonesia's top hopeful and the ABF Tour No. 1 Putty Armein sits in third place with 1,815.
Putty, who won five times in eight games and lost three times, was optimistic about qualifying for the next stage.
"I am glad that I've reached the top three. It means I am within reach of finishing in top eight. Hopefully, I can bowl better tomorrow to improve my position," she said.
Asian number one Shalin Zulkifli was six at 1,759.
The bowlers will continue the preliminary matches on Friday, the men with remaining eight games and the women seven games.
Top eight contestants each in the men's and women's divisions will advance to the knockout stage.