27th July, Bangkok: Singapore swept the Youth U21 Masters and Youth U18 Masters titles of the 48th MWA-Thailand International Open with both Andre Chew and Jalen Loh snatching victory in the final game at Blu-O Rhythm & Bowl Ratchayothin.

Musaab Aladawai of Oman got off to a cracking start with 259 in his opening game to lead Nguyen Phuc Gia Dang of Vietnam in second with 246. Hong Kong's Ho Tsun Yin, 2022 Women's Masters champion, Ramita Sarntong and Natawat Rasisetkun of Thailand in close company.

A superb 258 from Sarntong shot her into the lead, 33 pins ahead of the Vietnamese in second and the Omani in third. Musaab added a sizzling 267 in his third game to regain the lead as the Thai slipped behind in second, 32 pins adrift.

Chew, who rolled 214, 211 and 215 in his first three games, shot a scintillating 279 in the fourth game to leapfrog into the lead. 2023 Asian Youth All-Events gold medalist, Vilinkorn Kledkaew of Thailand moved into second, just 3 pins behind the leader.

Youth U18 champion, Jalen Loh clinched third position with 1781 while pace-setters, Musaab and Sarntong completed the top five with 1727 and 1686 respectively. The champion won Thai baht 55,000 as champion leaving 28,000 and 14,000 to the first and second runners-up.

In the Youth U18 Master finals contested before the U21 finals, Tran Hoang Khoi of Vietnam set the pace by leading the first two games before Thailand's Wilaphut Andrew Wong took over the running after the third game. The Thai kept a strong pace up to the seventh game and ended the final with 212.

Singapore's Jalen Loh, who had traded second spot with compatriot, Xavier Ng, snatched victory with 265 in his final game and a total of 1896. Wilaphut held on to second with 1886 while Ng stormed home with 278 to finish third with 1882.

The champion took home Thai baht 45,000 as champion with 23,000 and 12,000 going to the first and second runners-up. Qualifying will resume for the next two days for the Grade A, Grade B and the Senior division. The Masters finals will be contested on Tuesday, July 30.