Li Jane and Siti bow out early in PWBA Tour Championship

PETALING JAYA: Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman and Sin Li Jane’s spirited run came to an end at the season-ending Professional Women’s Bowling Association’s (PWBA) Tour Championship in the United States.

The Malaysians were ousted in Tuesday’s second round at the Richmond Raceway in Virginia with Siti going down 2-3 (198-224, 224- 228, 231- 228, 208- 194, 209248) to American professional Shannon Pluhowsky.

Li Jane also found five-time PWBA Tour champion Shannon O’Keefe too hot to handle, losing 1-3 (254-267, 201-237, 237-198, 217-279).

Siti, who survived a five-game thriller against Colombian Clara Guerrero in the opening round, said she was beaten by a better bowler.

“I bowled my very best but still came up a little short against Shannon in the decider,” said Siti, the Wichita Open champion.

“But I’m not too disappointed. I didn’t give up even when I was two games down. I’m really proud with the way I fought back against my opponent who had the home fans behind her all the time.”

Li Jane also conceded that there was nothing she could do against in-form O’Keefe, a six-time World Championships gold medallist.

“Shannon was simply on fire. She left me with no chance, especially in her fourth game,” said Li Jane, who bagged three golds at the recent Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

“That’s bowling, you don’t win all the time. The important thing is you learn from the defeat and pick yourself up for the next tournament,” added Li Jane, the Lincoln Open champion.

Both Li Jane and Siti still walked away with US$2,000 (RM8,500) each for being the top 16 finalists of the Tour’s finale.

Li Jane added: “It’s really amazing that we both managed to come this far. The other pros have been on the Tour for years. We only started playing on the Tour for two seasons and only at selected stops. For us, it’s certainly an achievement.”