22nd August, Palembang: Malaysian women got off to a great start in the opening event of the 18th Asian Games Palembang 2018 with a one-two finish in the Women's Trios first block of 3 games ahead of the second Chinese Taipei trio in third.

Pan Y-Fen, Chou Chia-Chen and Tsai Hsin-Yi started off superbly with 246, 266 and 242 respectively for a commanding total of 754 in their opening game to lead Singapore's first trio of Cherie Tan, Shayna Ng and Jazreel Tan in second, 24 pins adrift.

The first Taiwanese trio of Chang Yu-Hsuan, Wang Ya-Ting and Huang Chiung-Yao also impressed taking up third with 719 followed by the best Malaysian trio of Sin Li Jane, Natasha Roslan and 2017 SEA Games Masters gold medallist, Shalin Zulkifli.

Sin, Natasha and Shalin stepped up their pace to take over the lead after another splendid second game of 725. The early pace-setter managed 676 in their second game to stay in second, just one pin away as Singapore struggled with 598.

Sin (655), Natasha (793) and Shalin (703) gave Malaysia a one-two finish when they totaled 2151 followed by Chinese Taipei in third with 2138. Korea's first trio of Lee Yeonji (730), Ryu Seoyeon (662) and 2014 Incheon Asian Games triple gold medallist, Lee Nayoung (661) made a late charge to take fourth spot with 2053.

Host nation, Indonesia with their second trio of Aldila Indryati (656), Nadia Pramanik (708) and Tannya Roumimper (661) rounded out the top five with 2045. Indonesia's other trio of Alisha Nabila, Putty Armein and Sharon Limansantoso has a lot to do in the second block after managing to finish 14th out of 23 trios teams.

The women will resume with their second block of 3 games over the medium oil pattern and the first three finishers will be awarded the gold, silver and bronze medals in the award ceremony immediately following.

The Men's Trios event to be contested over two blocks of 3 games each will be staged tomorrow. The Men will bowl in the first block in medium oil conditions and long oil conditions in the second block.