All to play for as SSPL 2018/19 Stage 1 goes down the wire

KBC beat TCBC to remain in fourth

CYBERJAYA (4 January 2019): It’s all to play for on the final two days of the SSPL 2018/19 Stage 1 as Petaling Badminton Club (Petaling BC) put themselves in a difficult position as they fell unexpectedly, 10-12 to Serdang Badminton Club (Serdang BC) on Day 12 at the Gem In Mall, Cyberjaya today.Needing to secure a victory to dislodge overnight leader and defending champions, Puchong United Badminton Club (PUBC), the unthinkable happened as Serdang BC recorded the upset of the season to move one rung to fifth place and in the process kept their hopes alive going into the second stage next week.

For Petaling BC who are now in second, they will have to win in the do or die battle with PUBC on Sunday to make it through automatically to the final round in Genting or risk leaving their fate to be decided in the second stage.

Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC), who are due to play against Serdang BC tomorrow, are almost certain of going on top with a win, which would leave Petaling BC in third by the end of the day. Only the top two teams are certain of qualifying automatically for the final round in Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting on 24th to 27th January.

Petaling BC head coach, Ismail Saman, revealed that the pressure had gotten to his players making them unable to perform at their true level.

“The players who were unable to perform due to the pressure placed on them, prior to this they were set a target of being in the top 3.

“But, when they managed to achieve it, I challenged them to go for top 2, the players could not deliver. Credit to the Serdang (mixed doubles) pair who played well, defeating (Chen)Tan Jie-Gronya (Somerville) who also gave their best,” he added.

Opening men’s singles, Cheam June Wei put Petaling BC in the lead when he defeated China’s rising star, Liu Zejia, 3-1 (11-10, 8-11, 11-1, 11-10).

In an all Indonesian affair, Lyanny Alessandra Mainaky levelled the tie 4-4 when she defeated Gabriela Meilani Moningka 3-1 (11-6, 11-8, 10-11, 2-1) right on the buzzer.

Independent shuttler, Goh V Shem continued his good form in the SSPL, partnering Chia Shun Kang for his third straight victory, this time against Lwi Sheng Hao-Ong Wei Khoon, 3-2 (9-11, 11-3, 10-11, 11-3, 11-4) for a slender 7-6 lead.

Previously, V Shem who partners Tan Wee Kiong at the international stage, achieved two victories, with Shun Kang and Man Wei Chong respectively.

Serdang Badminton Club (Serdang BC) then overturned the deficit to take a shock 9-8 lead when Chinese mixed doubles pair, Guo Yuchen-Liu Lin played the match of their lives to defeat Malaysian-Australian pair, Chen Tang Jie-Gronya Somerville, 3-1 (11-6, 11-9, 10-11, 11-10).

Ng Tze Yong turned spoiler when he defeated Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin who recently turned independent, 3-2 (11-7, 5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 9-3) for a 12-10 result.
In a later match, last season’s finalist, Kepong Badminton Club (KBC) remained in fourth after a 13-7 win against debutant, Tebrau City Badminton City (TCBC).
KBC got their winning points through Lim Chi Wing (men’s singles), Lu Ching Yao-Yang Po Han (men’s doubles), Cheah Yee See-Mohd Azriyn Nur Ayub (mixed doubles) and Soong Joo Ven (men’s singles).
The SS Purple League 2019 features local and international players including Olympic medallists, world champions, former big names and rising stars on the international stage.
Players from the eight teams will compete in three stages in a single round robin format and play-off format for the coveted SS Purple League trophy. Total prize money for this season is RM1,500,000.
The SS Purple League 2019 will run from December 2018 to January 2019 beginning with Stage 1 on 21-24 Dec, 26-30 Dec and 2-6 Jan 2019 to be held at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya. Stage 2 will be played on 11-13 Jan 2019, also at Gem in Mall, Cyberjaya. The final round will be held on 24-27 Jan 2019 at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.
Tickets can be purchased at the venue and through the official website https://www.purpleleague.com/ at RM15 for adults and RM9 for children below 12 years. Season passes for matches in KL only are priced at RM199.

FULL RESULTS FOR SSPL TODAY
(4pm) Petaling BC 10-12 Serdang BC
MS2 CHEAM June Wei won LIU Zejia 3-1 (11-10 8-11 11-1 11-10)
WS Moningka GABRIELA MEILANI lost Alessandra Mainaky LYANNY 1-3 (6-11 8-11 11-10 1-2)
MD GOH V Shem- SHIA Chun Kang won LWI Sheng Hao- ONG Wei Khoon 3-2 (9-11 11-3 10-11 11-3 11-4)
XD CHEN Tang Jie- Somerville GRONYA lost GUO Yuchen- LIU Lin 1-3 (6-11 9-11 11-10 10-11)
MS1 Zainuddin ISKANDAR ZULKARNAIN lost NG Tze Yong 2-3 (7-11 11-5 7-11 11-7 3-9)

(8pm) Kepong BC 13-7 Tebrau City BC
MS2 LIM Chi Wing won YE Binghong 3-2 (11-4 11-8 4-11 8-11 11-4)
WS YEUNG Sum Yee lost XU Wei 1-3 (11-6 6-11 3-11 7-11)
MD LU Ching Yao- YANG Po Han won CHUNG Yonny- TAM Chun Hei 3-0 (11-7 11-8 11-6)
XD CHEAH Yee See- Ayub NUR MOHD AZRIYN won LOW Hang Yee- TAN Koong Le, Pearly 3-1 (9-11 11-2 11-9 11-10)
MS1 SOONG Joo Ven won YEOH Seng Zoe 3-1 (5-11 11-9 11-9 11-6)

SSPL Current Standings

TEAM P GW PW
1 Puchong United BC 6 71 1,092
2 Petaling BC 6 70 1,084
3 Ampang Jaya BC 6 66 1,036
4 Kepong BC 6 65 1,036
5 Tebrau City BC 6 52 1,036
6 Serdang BC 6 51 958
7 BMAll Stars BC 6 48 923
8 Bandar Maharani BC 6 39 910
p- played, gw- games won, pw- points won

SSPL Fixtures Tomorrow (5 January 2019)
(4:00pm) Serdang BC vs Ampang Jaya BC
(8:00pm) Bukit Mertajam All Stars BC vs Tebrau City BC

SSPL Fixtures Sunday (6 January 2019)
(4.00pm) Kepong BC vs Bandar Maharani BC
(8.00pm) Puchong United BC vs Petaling BC

About Malaysia Purple League

Founded in 2013, Malaysia Purple League is a competition platform in support of the Malaysian badminton effort by helping to develop and polish the skills of Malaysian badminton players to raise the level of competitive badminton in Malaysia. The league is an initiative that provides players of all levels, both professionals and amateurs, with an opportunity to gain invaluable competition experience, and concurrently strives to engage retired national greats to guide and inspire a new generation of champions. For more information, visit Malaysia Purple League website at http://www.purpleleague.com/