29th September, Dubai: ABF Tour Hong Kong semi-finalists, HRH Mohammed Al Saud of Saudi Arabia finally landed his first tour title with a victory in the ABF Tour UAE 2013 leg at Dubai International Bowling Centre on Sunday.

Mohammed got off the mark with five strikes-in-a-row to open up a gap of 29 pins while Balabbo downed a double in frames 2 and 3. A split in the sixth frame from the prince did not bother him as he recovered with another double in the seventh and eight frames.

Balabbo mounted a challenge with his second double in the seventh and eighth frames but an opened frame in the ninth cost the Filipino dearly despite striking out to end the match with 212.

The champion posted the highest match of the leg with another impressive victory over Thailand's Yannaphon Larpapharat, 266-235 in the first semi-final match to reach the final while Balabbo edged Hareb Al Mansoori of UAE in a low-scoring 167-156 win in the other semi.

Mohammed took out Dubai Open second runner-up, Hussain Al Suwaidi of UAE 214-181 in the opening round and a second Thai, Sithiphol Kunaksorn, 256-216 in the second round.

Balabbo received a bye in the first round when top seed and newly-crowned Dubai Open champion, Mahmoud Al Attar did not compete due to demise of his father last night of a hear attack.

Ms Suwalai Satrulee, Vice President of ABF together with Ahmed Murad, Manager of Emirates Bowling Federation presented the trophy to the champion.

Rakan Al Amiri of Kuwait stretched his lead in the Men's rankings to 197 points as Yannaphon moved up into second with 153. Hussain and Mohammed shared third spot with 151 points. The final leg of this year's ABF Tour will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on December 17.

The top 16 men after the final leg will qualify for the ABF Tour Tournament of Champions to be held in Kuwait in March 2014. For further information and details, please contact ABF Tour Committee at Tel: +852 2893 6039, Fax: +852 2893 6290; Email: hktbc@netvigator.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Dubai, UAE.