14th January, Jakarta: Overnight leader, Ryan Lalisang maintained pole position at the end of the final eight games of matchplay to move into the quarter finals knockout stage while a 705 scratch over the last three games saw Sarah Yap of Malaysia finishing as top seed in the women's division.

Ryan Lalisang of Jakarta, Indonesia kept his home country flag flying by maintaining his pole position through the final eight games of matchplay, holding a healthy 112 point buffer over the strong challenge of Hong Kong's wonderkid Wu Sui Hong.

Despite being the frontrunner, Lalisang said: "I used a different hand position today and that gave me better pin carry. I didn't need to change bowling balls but I did slow my speed down a little. Who would I like to play against in the quarterfinal? I think a match against Joonee Gatchalian of Philippines would be a good one."

Well, Lalisang got his wish as Gatchalian drew him in the next round and this will be one of the televised matches on Saturday afternoon. The other will be Daniel Lim of Malaysia against aforementioned Wu Sui Hong, a very tasty dish to put in front of the lucky viewers.

A packed concourse cheered to the rafters this afternoon when Filipino Tyrone Ongpauco hit the Tour's second perfect game, his lucky 13th game of this final. Unfortunately, he finished in 15th place on a 208 average overall.

A very handy total of 705 scratch over her last three games saw Sarah Yap of Malaysia take over pole position at the close of the ladies' matchplay, outpointing previous leaders Wendy Chai of Malaysia and Filipina Liza Del Rosario.

"I decided to change my bowling area today," Yap said. "I was bowling the wrong line yesterday and I learned from that mistake and today I knew what I had to do. I was really surprised to have finished as the number one. I looked around at the scores towards the end of the game and didn't think that I had taken over the lead, but now I'm very comfortable in the top eight."

Current Asian Ranked No. 1, Shalin Zulkifli, who was inducted into the World Bowling Writers International Bowling Hall of Fame during the press

conference Wednesday evening, made up grounds today from sixth to take up third for the next stage with 3380 while overnight leader and ABF Tour Malaysia Leg champion, Wendy Chai settled for fourth position with 3368.

The scheduled televised ladies' matches Saturday afternoon will open with Shalin Zulkifli of Malaysia against Filipina Irene Benitez and then local hero Putty Armein will face Malaysia's Wendy Chai. The winners of those matches will advance to the semifinals on Sunday afternoon.

The Tournament of Champions will be staged over four competition days where the top 16 men and 16 women bowlers (based on ABF Tour ranking points), plus two additional wildcard entries from the West Asia region (thus totalling 18 men in the men's division), will qualify to compete over four rounds of competition for the coveted men's and women's ABF Tour Champion titles.

The ABF Tour - Tournament of Champions will be televised LIVE on Malaysia's Astro Supersport, Singapore's Starhub and Indonesia Metro TV. Highlights of the finals will also be televised later on local television stations of the six countries where the tour is being held. It will also be broadcast later in parts of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, China and Australasia with an estimated audience of around 90 million.

For further information and details please contact ABF Tour Committee Marketing and Event Management Division at Tel: (852) 2810 5191; Fax: (852) 28105192; Mr. Ritchie Lai (Mobile: (852) 93598669; email: ritchie.lai@tndgroup.com) or Mr. Kelvin Pong (Mobile: (852) 9100 0958; email: Kelvin.pong@tndgroup.com).