KUALA LUMPUR: Ooi Tze Liang needs more time to get in sync with Syafiq Puteh after failing to hit the Minimum Qualification Standard (MQS) in the 3-metre synchronise springboard on the last day of the national diving trials today.
Tze Liang-Syafiq posted a total score of 336.84 from six dives to finish first in the three-pair final at the National Aquatics Centre in Bukit Jalil.
National backup squad members Yong Rui Jie-Nurqayyum Nazmi Nazim (331.26) were second while Awang Sharzan Nasrin Awang Nasaruddin-Soh Tze Kang (274.17) completed the podium.
"Since the World Championships in Doha earlier this year, Syafiq and I have not focused on the 3m springboard.
"So, we need more time to train and practise in this event to get better," said Tze Liang.
The MQS scores for this event are: minimum (juniors) 340 points, mid (seniors) 370, maximum 456.
However, in the individual 3m springboard yesterday, Tze Liang had no issues clearing the mid score for seniors. His total of 402.55 surpassed the MQS 370.
"My performance yesterday was not out of the ordinary. It was just good.
"I need to still improve on the execution of my dives," he added.
Syafiq Puteh (362.00) was second and Nurqayyum Nazmi (320.60) was third yesterday.
In today's women's 3m springboard, Lee Yiat Qing-Teng Hui Xue finished first in the two-pair final, posting 204.39 points. However, that was not good enough to meet the MQS minimum of 230.
Trisya Ann Voon-Nurul Farisya Alia Affendi were second, recording a total of 173.61.