KUALA LUMPUR (21 December, 2016): BU Dragons BC continued their strong start to their SS Purple League 2016/17 debut season after overcoming favourites Petaling BC 10-8 and condemning them to a second successive defeat earlier today at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya.
After their impressive win over Puchong United BC in their first SSPL2016/17 appearance, much was expected from the BU Dragons BC side.
However, their men’s singles player and Hong Kong international, Wei Nan was easily brushed aside by Petaling’s star man, Kenichi Tago in the first game. The Japanese started the more aggressive player as he raced straight out of the blocks to record a straight sets 3-0 (11-2 11-7 11-8) victory for Petaling.
Thing got worse for BU Dragons as Chinese Taipei shuttler, Chiang Mei Hui lost her match to Petaling’s Indonesian import, Hera Desiana Rachmawati 1-3 (11-7, 9-11, 5-11, 2-7) in the women’s singles match. The win helped Petaling build a commanding lead at that point.
Fresh from their triumph in Dubai, Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong found themselves on opposite sides of the court in the men’s doubles match. Friends turn foes as V Shem, alongside Chen Tang Jie of Petaling BC took on BU Dragons BC’s Tan Wee Kiong and Chooi Kah Ming in the men’s doubles match.
It was Wee Kiong who secured the bragging rights after he and Kah Ming beat V Shem and Tang Jie 3-1 (11-9, 10-11, 11-8, 11-7). The win brought BU Dragons in within touching distance with Petaling.
BU Dragons then levelled the overall score 7-7 in the mixed doubles category. Led by Olympic gold medallist and Indonesian marksmen Markis Kido, he and his partner Chow Mei Kuan dismantled the Petaling pair of Agripinna Prima Ramanto and Devi Tika Permatasari in straight sets, winning 3-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-8).
With all to play for in the final game, BU Dragons completed a stunning comeback as their Indonesian superstar, Tommy Sugiarto utilised his experience to beat Iskandar Zulkarnian of Petaling BC 3-1 (11-7, 11-6, 5-11, 5-4) in a nail biting second men’s singles match.
“It was definitely a nervous end to the match. With the new system introduced, it is a new thing for me but that definitely made it a dramatic finale,” said Sugiarto after the final match.
“The turning point was the mixed doubles match. To win by 3-0 and pulled us level is definitely motivated us to go one better. My players definitely handled the pressure well,” said BU Dragons’ head coach, Tan Bin Shen.
“There is no secret to our success. I always remind my players on the importance to play as a team and team spirit and I hope that my players remain consistent throughout the season,” added Bin Shen.
In yesterday’s SSPL 2016/17 8pm match, Kepong BC staged a late fight back to win 9-8 against Bangsar Hawks BC at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya.
Despite a disastrous start – going down 0-6 after the first two matches – Kepong dug deep to win the remaining 3 matches to record their first win of the season.
SSPL 2016/17 Results (22 December 2016)
(4pm) Petaling BC lost to BU Dragons BC 8-10
MS2: Kenichi Tago bt Wei Nan 3-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-8)
WS: Hera Desiana Rachmawati bt Chiang Mei Hui 3-1 (7-11, 11-9, 11-5, 7-2)
MD: Chen Tang Jie-Goh V Shem lost to Chooi Kah Ming-Tan Wee Kiong 1-3 (9-11, 11-10, 8-11, 7-11)
XD: Agripinna Prima Ramanto-Devi Tika Permatasari lost to Chow Mei Kuan-Markis Kido 0-3 (5-11, 7-11, 8-11)
MS1: Iskandar Zulkarnain lost to Tommy Sugiarto 1-3 (7-11, 6-11, 11-5, 4-5)
SSPL 2016/17 Results (21 December 2016)
(8pm) Bangsar Hawks BC lost to Kepong BC 8-9
MS2: Wan Chia Hsin bt Ai Wei Jian 3-0 (11-7, 11-5, 11-3)
WS: Lee Ying Ying bt Tee Jing Yi 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-5)
MD: Gao Xiang Cheng-Zhou Bowei lost to Potieng Trawut-Tan Chee Tean 1-3 (11-9, 8-11, 6-11, 5-11)
XD: Crysvia Lim Peiy Zhean-Pei Tian Yi lost to Amitrapai Savitree-Mohd Razif Ab Latif 1-3 (4-11, 6-11, 11-9, 7-11)
MS1: Chin Yong Chian lost to Lim Chi Wing 0-3 (5-11, 6-11, 6-11)
SSPL 2016/17 Fixtures (21 December 2016)
(8pm) Klang City BC vs Bangsar Hawks BC
