SINGAPORE - The Republic's keglers took gold at the Asian Youth Tenpin Bowling Championships in the Philippines, emerging tops in the girls' team event on Thursday (Oct 26).

The quartet of Iliya Syamim Muhd Azni, Amabel Chua, Jermaine Seah and Charlene Lim combined for 4,745 pinfalls over six games, beating Malaysia and Japan to the crown at the Coronado Lanes in Manila.

Malaysia were second with 4,687 pinfalls, while Japan were third with 4,660.

Said Charlene, 18: "We were struggling through the first game, but got together and just tried to enjoy the whole process. We ended up making better moves by the end of the first game.

"We're really happy about the win and it means so much. The team gold is the one we've been eyeing throughout the whole tournament. It will give us more confidence to do better in the future, to continuously learn more and get to where our seniors are right now, or even further."

The title comes on top of a girls' doubles silver won by Jermaine and Charlene on Wednesday. Singapore were girls' team bronze medallists the last time the event was held in Macau in 2015.

The biennial tournament is contested by bowlers aged 20 and under.