Ong, Koh take the lead at half time in SEA Games Masters competition

Two world champions lead the men's and women's Masters after the first 8-game block on the long oil pattern in the 24th Southeast Asian Games at SF Strike Bowl Ramkhamhaeng in Bangkok, Thailand.

Remy Ong (right), Singapore, who won the gold medals in Singles and All Events at the 2006 Men's World Championships in Busan, Korea, averaged 219.88 and won six of his eight matches to lead the men's division with 1819 pinfall total including 10 pins bonus per win.

Trailing Ong by 78 pins to sit in second place is Adrian Ang. The Malaysian averaged 208.88 for the day and compiled the field-best 7-1 won-loss record for 1741 total pinfall. Third place belongs to Asian Games champion Ryan Lalisang (left), Indonesia, who checked in with 1737 including 40 pins bonus and a 212.13 average.

Just outside the box looking in are Yannaphon Larpapharat, Thailand (1713) and World Championship Masters gold medalist Biboy Rivera, Philippines (1661) in fourth and fifth place, resp.
Sharon Koh, the reigning World Youth Championships Masters champion, leads the women's field with 1696 and a 204.50 average including a 6-2 match play record. Her team mate Esther Cheah, both Malaysia, averaged 200.00 and won all but one match to sit in second place with 1670.

Indonesians Sharon Limansantoso and Singles gold medalist Tannya Roumimper are tied for third place with 1632 total pins.

The top 16 men and the 16 women from All Events (Singles, Doubles, Trios and Team) advanced to the Masters competition. All players will return on Thursday for the second and last 8-game block to cut to the top 3 for the stepladder finals.

The SEA Games bowling competition will conclude with the Mixed Doubles event on Friday, Dec. 14.