20th December, Prai: Asia's leading bowler, Shalin Zulkifli lived up to her credentials capturing the 31st Penang Pesta International Open Ladies' title while newcomer, Lai Siew Wai from Singapore took home the Men's at Mega Lanes this afternoon.

Cheered on by her group of supporters, Shalin displayed her scintilating performance with a superb 4299 pinfalls leaving a hefty 229 pins victory margin. Singapore's established spinner, Alice Tay managed to maintain her position from yesterday's first block to finish 2nd with 4070 total.

Newly crowned Hong Kong Open champion, Wendy Chai finished 3rd with 4054. Penang's teenager and Asian Schools Doubles Gold medalist, Voon Kim Ling put up a creditable performance to take 4th place with 3986.

Ex-national kegler, Low Poh Lian returning to the scene produced a commendable score of 3930 for 5th spot while defending champion, Jennifer Tan could only manage 8th place with 3738.

Doning the colours of PBS Club, Singapore, overnight and first block leader made a dramatic comeback to wrest the Men's Open Masters crown from Malaysia's Daniel Lim with a 40-pin margin on a total of 5339.

Defending champion, Purvis Granger from the Philippines, who was leading until the 11th game, surrendered the lead to Daniel Lim briefly. The lead change hands thereafter and Lai eventually pull away to victory with Daniel in second.

Asian Bowling Tour Malaysia leg champion, Azidi Ameran did well to snatch 3rd spot with 5298 total followed by another Singapore veteran, Tommy Ong in 4th with 5279. National backup squad member, Zaid Izlan came home a credtiable 5th with 5260 with another backup squad member, Aaron Kong in 7th with 5181.

B.C. Cheah, Hon. Secretary/PTBPP reporting from Seberang Prai

20th December, Prai: Three-time Asian ranked No. 1 bowler, Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia and newcomer, Lai Siew Wai of Singapore led the Ladies' and Men's Open Masters first block finals of the 31st Penang Pesta International Open at Mega Lanes.

Shalin Zulkifli, who topped the local pool qualifying rounds scored a moderate 2091 pinfalls over the 10-game first block finals to lead a field of 16 ladies qualifers. The current Asian Bowling Tour top-ranked bowler has so far won the Sinai Open in October and two ABT legs, hopes to end off a good year with a win in the Penang Pesta championship.

Trailing Shalin in second spot was Singapore's Alice Tay with a score of 2015 followed by World Championship Team Gold medalist, Sharon Chai in third with 1940.

Newly crowned Hong Kong Open and ABT Hong Kong leg champion, Wendy Chai finished a creditable 4th with 1918 while Asian Schools Doubles Gold medalist, Voon Kim Ling made up the top 5 in 5th with 1895.

PBAP-Storm Classic champion, Tang Joh Six took 6th spot with 1877, Rohaya Abd Rahim (7th-1864), Elaine Lam (8th-1861) while defending champion, Jennifer Tan struggled in 9th place with 1859. Former national bowler, Low Poh Lian (1855) just managed to make the cut for the semifinals in 10th. Busan Asian Games Gold medalist, Kim Hyo Mi of Korea could only finish 12th with 1833 and failed to make the cut.

In the men's division, newcomers, Lai Siew Wai from Singapore and Juan Diego Candana of the Philippines created a mild upset by taking the top two positions with 2036 and 2026 pinfalls respectively. Ex-international and SEA Games Gold medalist, Ricky Chen was the best Malaysian bowler in 3rd spot with 2021 followed by former Singapore national bowler, Tommy Ong in 4th with 2008.

Defending champion and ABT 2002 Grand Slam champion, Purvis Granger finished 5th with a score of 2003. Aaron Kong (6th-2000), Mohd Faiz Sharuddin (7th-1999), Daniel Lim (8th-1994), Zaid Izlan (9th-1975), Richard Leo (tie 10th-1975) , Ong Shaw Feng (tie 10th-1971) and Azidi Ameran (12th-1960) made the top 16 for the semifinals.

Former national bowler and winner of many local and international titles, Ng Yiew Hup proved that he has what it takes to win. Ng bagged the

Senior title with an impressive score of 2036 over 10 games to take home RM3,000. Ng, who just turn 40 this year also made the cut for the Open division semifinals finishing 13th. Roger Tuar from Singapore settled for 2nd with 1938 while local bowler, C.Y. Lai finished 3rd with 1937.

Asian Schools Masters Silver medalist, Esther Cheah snatched the Ladies' Graded Masters title from local favourite, Irene Lee of Penang with just 5 pins. Esther scored 1912 to Irene's 1907 for a well deserved win and RM2,000 in prize money. Third place went to national backup squad member, Zandra Aziela, who knocked down 1857.

Singapore bowlers completed a 1-2 finish in the Men's Graded Masters event. Khoo Kok Beng took the title with a score 2434 over 12 games from fellow countrymen, Lee Thim Choy in 2nd with 2425. National backup squad member, Zaid Izlan settled for 3rd with 2397.

Meanwhile Penang youth had a clean sweep of the Boy's Open Masters finals with Ooi Hock Keong bagging the title with a score of 2055 followed by Aaron Kong in 2nd with 2038 while top qualifier, Adrian Ang managing to only finish 3rd with 2025.

National backup squad member, Zandra Aziela was a runaway winner in the Girl's Open division when she took the title with a huge margin of 155 pins on 1965 pinfalls. In second was Sabah's Trish Khoo with 1809 followed by local lass, Voon Kim Ling in 3rd spot with 1801.

Kedah's Alex Choo got the better of local lad, Adrian Charles Dragon when he bagged the Boy's Graded Masters title with a score of 1976 from Dragon's 1956. Kelvin Tan settled for 3rd with 1932. Nadya Izzati gave Kedah a double celebration when she captured the Girl's Graded crown with 1812 ahead of Perak's Nor Atteya in 2nd and Sin Li Jane in 3rd with 1788 and 1730 respectively.

The top 16 Men and top 10 Ladies Open will bowl round-robin matchplay and position round tomorrow to determine the champion.

B.C. Cheah, Hon. Secretary/PTBPP reporting from Seberang Prai

19th December, Prai: Busan Asian Games Gold medalist, Kim Hyo Mi of Korea and newly crowned 4th Junior All Stars champion Adrian Ang of Malaysia, continued to lead the Open Masters qualifying table of the 31st Penang Pesta International Open at Mega Lanes.

Newly crowned 4th Junior All Stars champion, Adrian Ang continued to Men's Open Masters qualifying table with a score of 960. The 15 year-old local lad showed a clean pair of heels to lead from his more senior national squad member, Daniel Lim in second on 897 while Asian Schools Masters Gold medalist qualified well in third with 892. Pahang Open champion, Eric Ang finished 4th with 881 jut 1 pin ahead of early leader and ex-international, Mustafa Yassin in 5th with 880.

Topping the mixed overseas and local pool came Singapore's Rohezan Abdul Manaf with 872 and 12th overall followed by former Singapore national bowler, Tommy Ong in 2nd with 870 while Richard Leo, also from Singapore finished 3rd with 865.

National squad and national youth members who made the Masters

finals were Azidi Ameran (7th-873), Mohd Faiz Sharuddin (8th-866), Ziad Izlan (10th-860), Alex Liew (16th-847), Zulmazran Zulkifli (19th-843), Ang Kean Joo (21st-842), Mohd Nadri (26th-823) and Ben Heng (30th-818).

Busan Asian Games Gold medallist, Kim Hyo Mi of Korea continued to top the overall Ladies' Open Masters qualifying table with a score of 878 ahead of three-time Asian ranked No. 1, Shalin Zulkifli in second with 865. Shalin topped the local pool followed by PBAP-Storm Classic champion, Tang Joh Six in second with 852.

Ex-international, Low Poh Lian did well to finish 4th overall with 837 while Singapore's Alice Tay was 2nd in the mixed pool and 11th overall with 820.

Malaysian national squad and national youth members making the cut were Lim Jiachyi (5th-832), Sharon Chai (6th-810), Zandra Aziela (7th-801), Rohaya Abd Rahim (tie 8th-791), Choy Poh Lai (tie 8th-791), Wendy Chai (12th-780), Voon Kim Ling (13th-730), Vivien Khoo (14th-719) and Elaine Lam (15th-715).

Malaysian youth took the top three positions of the Milo Boy's Open Masters qualifying table. Local favourite, Adrian Ang led with 890 in front of Eric Ang on 884 while Zaid Izal finished 3rd with 881.

National back up bowler, Zandra Aziela still lead in the Milo Girl's Open division with a score of 811. Newcomer, Ting King Yi was 2nd on 791, followed by Voon Kim Ling with 785 total. Qualifying ends tonight 19th December and the Masters finals will commence tomorow Saturday, 20th December.

B.C. Cheah, Hon. Secretary/PTBPP reporting from Seberang Prai

18th December, Prai: Busan Asian Games Gold medalist, Kim Hyo Mi of Korea and newly crowned 4th Junior All Stars champion, Adrian ANg showed the way to lead the Open Masters qualifying table of the 31st Penang Pesta International Open at Mega Lanes.

Fresh from his first major victory last week, newly crowned 4th Junior All Stars champion, Adrian Ang entertained the capacity crowd at Mega Lanes with a superb display of bowling to take over the lead of the Masters qualifying table. The 15 year-old local lad took the lead from 1999 SEA Games Gold medallist, Mustafa Yassin in the Skrincon Men’s Open division. Blasting off with a strike, 9 spare and a 5 consecutive strikes, the national youth bowler was on fire to hit a back to back high game of 247 and 246, followed with a 215 and 252 for a total of 960 pinfalls.

Asian Schools Masters Gold medallist, Aaron Kong also made his presence felt with a good display scoring 892 to 2nd spot. Early leader Mustafa Yassin dropped to third with 880.

AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour Malaysia leg champion, Azidi Ameran came in 4th with 873 followed by two Singaporeans, Rohezan Abdul Manaf (872) and Richard Leo (865) in 5th and 6th. FJ Lim (7th-858), Azizan Hanif (8th-855), Zulmazran Zulkifli (9th-843) and Sandra Sageran (10th-842) made up the top 10.

Busan Asian Games Gold medallist, Kim Hyo Mi of Korea sounded her intention to wrest the Skrincon Women’s Open crown as she scorched the lanes with a 225, 266, 173 and 214 for a 878 index taking over the lead from three-time Asian ranked No. 1 bowler, Shalin Zulkifli. Shalin's score of 865 put her in second spot ahead of former national bowler, Low Poh Lian in third with 837.

National youth, Lim Jiachyi stormed into 4th place with a fine display scoring 832 followed by Alice Tay of Singapore in 5th with 820. Sharon Chai (6th-810), Zandra Aiela (7th-801), Rohaya Abd Rahim (8th-788), newly crowned Hong Kong Champions, Wendy Chai (9th-780) and PBAP Classic champion Tang Joh Six (10th-755) completing the top 10.

In the Milo Boy's Open category, Adrian Ang maintained his pole

position to lead the field with 890 total. Pahang Open Masters Champion, Eric Ang trailed by 6 pins to register 884 and national youth Zaid Izlan registered 881 for 3rd spot. Mohd Faiz Sharuddin scored 854 for 4th place.

National back up bowler, Zandra Aziela took over the lead in the Milo Girl's Open division with a scoreline of 190, 215, 183 and 223 for a composite 811. Newcomer, Ting King Yi was 2nd on 791, followed by Voon Kim Ling with 785 total. Qualifying continues through to Friday, 19th December and the Masters finals will commence on Saturday, 20th December.

B.C. Cheah, Hon. Secretary/PTBPP reporting from Seberang Prai

16th December, Prai: The 31st edition of the Penang Pesta International Open Bowling Championship got underway with ex-international Mustafa Yassin and Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia taking the early lead.

The 24 year-old former member of the national squad took the lead of the Men's Open Masters qualifying table with a score of 880 and an impressive 220 average. Following Mustafa in second came national bowler and AVIVA Asian Bowling Tour Malaysia leg champion, Azidi Ameran with a score of 873.

Penang's veteran Azizan Hanif, a Singles Gold medalist in the National Interstate championship held in Penang in 2000, came in third with 855. Another regular and one of the top bowlers in Penang, Ong Shaw Feng finished fourth with 805 while national backup squad member, Eric Ang from Penang took fifth spot with 801.

Newly crowned Junior All Stars champion, Adrian Ang took to the lanes on his return to Penang knocked down 774 to take sixth position. He will have to improve on that score if he was to make the cut for the Masters finals.

There was not much activity in the ladies' division before the outstation and overseas bowlers arrive. Four-time Asian Bowler of the Year and currently top in the Asian Bowling Tour ranking, Shalin Zulkifli scored 865 to take an early lead. Shalin, who was at Pyramid Megalanes presenting prizes to the winners and signing autographs in the 2nd Piala Shalin Under-15 Bowling Championship, left for Penang the same evening and immediately took to the lanes.

Second in the table came national backup squad member and a top lady spiiner in Penang, Rohaya Abdul Rahim with a score of 757 while Asian Schools Doubles Gold medalist, Voon Kim Ling occupied third place with 688. 2002 World Ranking Masters champion, Jennifer Tan of Singapore will be defending the ladies title while 2002 Asian Bowling Tour Grand Slam champion, Purvis Granger from the Philippines is the men's defending champion.

Qualifying continues through to Friday, 19th December and the Masters finals will commence on Saturday, 20th December.

B.C. Cheah, Hon. Secretary/PTBPP reporting from Seberang Prai