A Singapore affair! Ng bowls out Goh to clinch Emir Cup
DOHA, March 6, 2018 - Singapore dominated the finals of the 17th Emir Cup Bowling Tournament as Basil Dill Ng beat compatriot Muhammad Jaris Goh 387-374 to claim the $10,000 prize money at the Qatar Bowling Center on Monday.
Ng becomes the 14th different winner of the tournament and the first from Singapore.
After six of qualifying rounds, the top 32 were grouped into four groups in which the top four qualified into the next Step finals. Michael Mak of Hong Kong led the international players qualification group while Ghanim Aboujassoum led the Qatar players.
In the Step two finals, Qatar was left with one representative as Ghanim Eril Tseng of Hong Kong but fell in the next step to Ivan Tse of Hong Kong.
The 2017 champion Jassim al Muraikhi failed to make it past the step two finals.
However, it was all about 21-year-old Ng who managed to edge Darren Ong in the last eight 418-411 before cruising past another Singaporean Suresh Elangovan in the semi-final.
Ng who was part of the Singapore team gold medal winners at the 29th South East Asia Games in Kuala Lumpur last August, said it was 'overwhelming'playing his friend in the final.
"I feel overwhelmed. This is my first open win.
"I think it's interesting playing my friend in the final, definitely didn't expect this competition.
The youngster who is on his second visit to Qatar added,"This is my second time in Qatar and the hospitality we receive while we are here is great and I am always happy to come here to compete."
The final match up saw Goh edge Ng 204-196 in the first game as both players tried to overcome the nerves on the big stage. With the prize in sight, the 23-year-old Goh suffered a shocking meltdown, failing to knock down pins while his opponent was more consistent.
Ng held on to outscore his friend 191-170 for an average of 193.50 to 187.
"The lanes got a little bit tricky and I did not catch everything on time, but somehow I managed to stay calm, but it was not enough," Goh said.
"I have been bowling great this week anyway so I'm fine with the result."
With $6,000 to show for his effort, the former Singapore Sportsboy of the Year said,"I'll save it for rainy days and definitely pay my bills with it.
"This is not my first time in Doha, I have been here four times already and everytime I improve my game. Last year I managed to get into the second round and the year before that I didn't even make it past the qualifying round. The tournament has always been great for me," he added.
Suresh Elangovan of Singapore and Hong Kong's Ivan Tse finished third and fourth respectively.
The Emir Cup is an ABF Tour Ranking 2018 stop and ranking points will be awarded to the top 16 Asian men in the final standings. Over 60 players participated in this year's event which had a total prize money of $61,400.
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