6th September, Macau: It was a sweet return to the victory circle as Michael Tsang of Hong Kong and Putty Armein of Indonesia clinched the Men's and Women's titles of the inaugural ABF Tour Macau leg on Sunday.

Both title contenders, Tsang and Phoemphun started the men's finals cautiously with each bowler collecting two alternating strikes and two spare frames with just two pins separating the duo.

A small mistake from the Thai in the fifth frame gave some breathing space to Tsang but Phoemphun recovered with a double thereafter to stay ahead of Tsang by three pins after the seventh frame.

A costly split in the eighth frame by Phoemphun appeared to return the tide back to Tsang but the 20-year-old suffered a split as well to draw level at 156 a piece. Tsang ended first with a spare and strike for 176 and put a bit of pressure onto the Thai.

And it worked as Phoemphun down six pins and failed to spare his final frame to hand the title to the Hong Kong national, 165-176. Tsang's last ABF Tour victory was way back in 2005 when he triumphed in the Hong Kong leg.

The champion reached the finals after he ousted Macau's sole survivor, Lee Tak Man, 247-210 in the second semifinal match while Phoemphun defeated fellow Thai, Phiriyahbhoon Pithakvarakorn, 244-181 in the other semi to advance to the finals.

Phoemphun also defeated another Thai and Macau Open first runnerup, Surasak Manuwong, 197-192 in Round 2 and while the Tsang edged newly-crowned Macau Open champion, Wu Siu Hong, 193-184 to make the semi.

n the women's division, Asian champion Putty Armein of Indonesia finally captured an international title after more than three years. Putty outclassed fellow compatriot and topseed, Tannya Roumimper, 264-179 in the finals.

The champion set a blistering pace with seven consecutive strikes shutting the door close completely for Tannya. And it was clear that Tannya just could not find the line to repeat the superb form she showed in the earlier rounds.

She suffered three open frames as Putty cruised to comfortable victory. Putty edged Hong Kong's Joey Yip, 182-178 in the first women's semifinals while Tannya trashed ABF TOC champion, Tang Joh Six of Malaysia, 228-199 in the second semi.

Tannya ended the hopes of Macau when she ousted Filomena Choi, 222-191 in the second round while Putty worked hard to edge Thailand's Gunnalada Aree, 182-179 in Round 2 to advance into the semi.

Mr Cario Hon, CEO of Xinhua Group presented the trophy to the women champion while Mr Charles Lo Keng Chio, President of the Sports and Olympic Committee of Macau, China gave away the men's trophy.

The next leg will be held in Hong Kong on October 4 at Hong Kong Bowling City after the 35th Hong Kong International Open. The seventh and final leg will be staged on October 18 at Jaya Ancol Bowl after the 2nd Ancol International Open.

The ABF Tour Macau leg will be telecast over Now TV at a later day and on local television stations of the seven countries where the tour is being held. For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: info@abftour.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Macau.