SSPL: Finding the Right Balance Key to Petaling BC’s Title Hopes

KUALA LUMPUR (7th February, 2017): Petaling BC’s chances of winning their first SS Purple League (SSPL) title has been boosted by new key signings thus strengthening their squad in each category.

Petaling BC, led by former Olympic medallist Yap Kim Hock will be spoilt for choice as they are stocked in every department heading into the SSPL 2016/17 Stage 2 which will be held in Resorts World Genting from February 9 to 12.

Kim Hock has brought in two new players which in his opinion will provide the team with a balance of talents in all categories, especially the Women’s singles category.

“To strengthen the team for the next stage in Genting, two more players have been included into our squad. One of them is Ricky Widianto from Indonesia and the other is the former World Number One women singles, Wang Yihan,” said Kim Hock.

“After signing them both, I am even more confident of the team’s capabilities now, especially in the Women’s singles category. Besides, since Yihan can also play in the doubles category, it leaves us with many choices in terms of choosing a strategy for the team,” added the 47-year old.

The Petaling head coach could not be any happier as most of his players will be available for the knockout stage in Genting, giving them a brighter chance of reaching the final or even win their first title.

“Besides the new signings, our main players like Kenichi Tago, Zhao Yunlei and others will also be with us in Genting,” he said.

Petaling BC is now in the means of training themselves to enhance the team’s chemistry for the knockout phase.

“Currently, we are still preparing the team. However, with the balance of talents we have for all categories of the game, I am somewhat confident that we will beat Petaling Jaya BC, bringing the team into the semi-finals of the SSPL 2016/17,” said Kim Hock.

“There is no doubt that Petaling Jaya BC has their own advantages and strengths besides having new players being added to their squad as well. Same goes to the other teams and not forgetting Muar BC who recently signed the famous Men Doubles’ South Korean player who once won gold in the Olympic, Lee Yong Dae. That will definitely benefit them, however we will give our best shot and also hope for the best,” he added.

However, Petaling’s preparations have been hampered by the injury to their star player, Datuk Wira Lee Chong Wei. Chong Wei tore his Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) while training with the national team last week and will most likely miss the knockout phase of the SSPL 2016/17.

The top six teams in the league will battle out in the knockout stage until the champion of the SSPL is crowned, which will take place from the 9th to 12th of February in Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands. The bottom four teams will be competing in order to determine the 7th to 10th placing in this season’s SSPL.