Gillian and Co have one hand on girls’ team title at Asian Youth.
Gillian and Co stand good chance to bag Asian team title
PETALING JAYA: Bowler Gillian Lim continued her rich vein of form to help Malaysia put one hand on the girls’ team title in 13 years at the Asian Youth Championships.
A day after clinching the doubles gold with Nur Syazwani Sahar, the duo teamed up with twins Nurul Alyssa Junaidi and Nurul Ayunni Junaidi to set the pace after the opening block of 12 games with 2,518 pinfalls at the Megalanes in Kuching yesterday.
Playing in her home state, Gillian blazed the alley with a three-game series of 712, averaging an impressive 237.33 while Syazwani, Ayunni and Alyssa chipped in 628, 574 and 604 respectively for the hosts to open up a commanding 243-pin cushion over second-placed and defending champions Singapore (2,275). South Korea are third on 2,271.
Malaysia bagged the team crown only once in Perth in 2006 through Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman, Esther Cheah, Zatil Iman Abdul Ghani and Zandra Aziela Ibrahim Hakimi.
And Malaysia will be hoping that third time is the charm after coming close with runner-up finishes in the last two editions in Manila (2017) and Macau (2015).
Gillian is confident of getting the job done.
“Each of us did very well and we will continue to give everything we have. Despite the big lead, the gold is not won until the last throw,” said Gillian.
“But I have no doubts we can do it. We have not only guidance from great coaches (Wendy Chai and Azidi Ameran), but the team spirit has been fantastic as well. The strong chemistry between us will pull us through.”
Gillian also put herself in pole position for the All-Events gold.
She currently leads the standings with 3,062 pinfalls, 54 pins clear of closest rival Jeong Ye-ri of South Korea.
The hosts will be counting on Nevern Marcellinus, Hafiz Zainuddin, Syazirol Shamsudin and Shahrukh Amin Zulkifli to deliver a double joy from the boys’ team.
The quartet shot a 2,432 total to trail powerhouse South Korea by just 58 pins. Singapore finished the halfway stage in third spot with 2,417 pinfalls.
Hafiz is Malaysia’s best bet for a podium finish in the boys’ All-Events as he’s currently placed third with three more games to be played.
He has 3,232 pinfalls from 15 games to sit behind pace-setters Brandon Ong of Singapore (3,447) and Merwin Tan of the Philippines (3,235).