PLJ 2018: Ampang Jaya BC on the verge of maiden title

Win over Bukit Cheras BC in title decider leaves rivals in the dust with one match day remaining
AMPANG JAYA (3 November 2018): With only one match day left, hot favourites, Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (BC) have all but confirmed the Division One Purple League Junior (PLJ) 2018 title, when they recorded a 12-8 win over Bukit Cheras Badminton Club (BC) in the title decider today.Ampang Jaya BC who are on the verge of their maiden title, Ampang Jaya BC now are sitting comfortably in top spot with 39 points after seven matches followed by Bukit Cheras BC with 27 points (six matches) while Kepong Badminton Club (BC) are on third with 21 matches (six matches).

Playing at home at The Challenger Sports Centre, Ampang, Ho Khek Mong’s outfit took full advantage by firing all their cylinders securing six points through their first two matches.

Boy’s singles, Tan Ming Kang set tone with a masterful display to edge out Bukit Cheras BC’s, Low Eu Cong 3-0 (11-10, 11-2, 11-5).

Their dominance continued in the girl’s doubles when Goh Yi Xuan-Ng Wan Win heaped on more pressure on Bukit Cheras BC when they defeated Odelia Wong Qiao Shi- Ting Ee Chin, 3-0 (11-5, 11-9, 11-5).

Bukit Cheras BC gave fight when their mixed doubles pair, Atitaya Povanon-Muhd Ariff Mohd Asaari stopped Ampang Jaya BC’s, Brandon Choong Ting Foong-Ho Le Ee in their tracks with a 3-1 (11-6, 10-11, 11-3, 11-3) victory.

Nevertheless, it was a short-lived revival for Bukit Cheras BC after Chinese import, Chen Lu continued Ampang Jaya BC’s winning ways with a closely fought 3-2 (11-5, 11-5, 2-11, 3-11, 11-4) win in the girl’s singles over Syalsabila Vahira Irmawan from Indonesia.

Bukit Cheras BC tried till the end, but it was to no avail as Chung Kin Wai-Lim Tze Jian’s win, 3-2 (10-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7) over Ampang Jaya BC’s boy’s pair, Fatkhul Rozzi- Liu Zeqing was not enough to prevent Ampang Jaya BC’s dominance in their tie and the overall destiny of the PLJ 2018 title.

Khek Mong understandably delighted with his charges, but warned them of premature celebrations, with one match to play.

“Now it’s not the time to party. I warned them not to celebrate prematurely as we have one more match tomorrow (against Cheras Badminton Club).

“We cannot underestimate the challenge of Cheras BC especially in the boy’s singles and boy’s doubles. I am thinking of reshuffling the boy’s pair for tomorrow as they lost concentration during their match today” he added.

Meanwhile, in the Division Two category earlier in the day, Kedah based outfit, Amanjaya Badminton Club (BC) are sitting comfortably in top spot after winning 14-3 against Ipoh BC.

After the conclusion of seven matches in the Division Two, Amanjaya BC have racked up 48 points followed by Kuantan Synergy BC (24 points) and in third are Tebrau City BC (19 points).

Tomorrow sees the finale of the PLJ 2018 at the The Challenger Sports Centre, Ampang. For the record, Petaling Badminton Club were two time champions in 2015 and 2016 while Cheras Badminton Club (BC) emerged victorious last year.

RESULTS (3 November 2018)
Venue: The Challenger Sports Centre, Ampang
Division One (12pm)

Petaling Jaya BC 6-13 Petaling BC
Puchong United BC 8-10 Rawang BC
Cheras BC 3-14 Kepong BC
Bukit Cheras BC 8-12 Ampang Jaya BC

Division Two (9am)
Ayer Itam BC 7-10 Serdang BC
Klang Rising BC 8-13 Tebrau City BC
PGBC 10-9 Kuantan Synergy BC
Amanjaya BC 14-3 Ipoh BC
Desa Petaling BC 10-12 Georgetown BC

3pm
Desa Petaling BC vs Serdang BC
Ayer Itam BC vs Tebrau City BC
Klang Rising BC vs Kuantan Synergy BC
PGBC vs Amanjaya BC
Ipoh BC vs Georgetown BC

Division One (4 November 2018)- 9am
Bandar Maharani BC vs Petaling BC
Petaling Jaya BC vs Rawang BC
Puchong United BC vs Kepong BC
Cheras BC vs Bukit Cheras BC

3pm
Bandar Maharani BC vs Rawang BC
Petaling Jaya BC vs Kepong BC
Puchong United BC vs Bukit Cheras BC
Cheras BC vs Ampang Jaya BC

Division Two (12pm)
Desa Petaling BC vs Tebrau City BC
Ayer Itam BC vs Kuantan Synergy BC
Klang Rising BC vs Amanjaya BC
PGBC vs Ipoh BC
Serdang BC vs Georgetown BC