Petaling BC secures third place in SSPL 2018/19

Newcomers, TCBC achieves creditable fifth in debut season

GENTING HIGHLANDS (26 January 2019): Petaling Badminton Club (Petaling BC) put aside their disappointment of losing in the semi-finals yesterday by getting the better of Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC), 11-7 to secure third place in the ¾ placing match at the SSPL 2018/19 Final Rounds, held at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting, today.

Still smarting from a 7-10 loss to Puchong United Badminton Club (PUBC) in the semi-finals yesterday, Petaling BC turned on the style to hand AJBC their second consecutive loss after a 8-12 defeat to Kepong Badminton Club (Kepong BC) also in the last four.

AJBC were left licking their wounds, wondering what might have been after emerging winners of Stage 1 with a 7-0 record in the eight team mini league.

New signing, Jan O Jorgensen from Denmark put Petaling BC on the road to victory when he won 3-1 (11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7) over France no. 1, Brice Leverdez in the opening men’s singles.

Women’s singles, Pornpawee Chochuwong then put in a hard shift to down Hong Kong’s, Yip Pui Yin, 3-1 (11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-10) in the women’s singles to level the tie 4-4.

It was a remarkable performance from Pornpawee considering that she had just touched down in KLIA in the afternoon, arriving from Jakarta after her stint had ended in the Indonesian Masters.

Men’s doubles, Man Wei Chong-Shia Chun Kang then forged Petaling BC 7-6 in front after a closely fought encounter against Chooi Kah Ming-Low Juan Shen, 3-2 (11-9, 10-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-6).

Mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei put Petaling BC in the driving seat when they outclassed Indonesian-Hong Kong pair, Lukhi Apri Nugroho-Chau Hoi Wah, 3-1 (10-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-9) for Petaling BC to go ahead 10-7.

Needing only one point, final men’s singles, Cheam June Wei duly obliged, sending Petaling BC and their legion of fans into a frenzy, when he secured the all important point in a 1-0 (11-8) win over Tan Jia Wei to reach an unassailable 11-7 lead.

Petaling BC head coach, Ismail Saman said, “Actually from the beginning, Petaling BC had targeted third place. But once we were in the semis, we were hoping to go to the final but we failed to take advantage of our opportunity.

“Overall, we are happy with Petaling BC’s performance this year,” added Ismail.

Meanwhile, newcomers, Tebrau City BC (TCBC) can be proud of their fifth placing achieved in the SSPL 2018/19 after they defeated Serdang Badminton Club 9-2 in the fifth/sixth placing tie this afternoon.

Commenting on TCBC’s performance this season, manager Lim Kenn was delighted with their achievements as TCBC was not putting any high targets this season, focusing on gaining as much experience in their debut outing.

Lim Kenn said, “We didn’t expect to win easily because previously we lost to them during Stage 1. I feel that Adulrach Namkul’s win against Leong Jun Hao in the men’s singles was the starting point for our success today.

“This is our first season and it was a good learning process. For next season, we know what we have to do.

“Maybe we will provide more exposure for the local and young players. It is not easy for the youngsters to get this opportunity to play in a team event such as this,” he added.

For their efforts, Petaling BC received RM185,000 followed by AJBC (RM160,000), TCBC (RM130,000) and Serdang BC (RM110,000).

The champions, to be decided by Puchong United Badminton Club and Kepong Badminton Club tomorrow will fight for the cash prize of RM520,000 with the runners up bringing home RM265,000.

The SSPL final rounds will be held at Resorts World Genting from the 24-27 January 2019.Tickets to watch the SSPL can be purchased at the venue and through the website https://www.rwgenting.com/entertainment/shows/Purple-League2019/ . For the SSPL final rounds, tickets are sold for RM 55 and RM65 for adults and RM30 for children.

Fifth/Sixth Placing Results (Today)
(12PM) Serdang BC 2-9 Terbrau City BC
MS1 Jun Hao LEONG lost Adulrach NAMKUL 0-3 (8-11 9-11 6-11)
WS Yawen WEI lost Ying Ying LEE 1-3 (8-11 7-11 11-8 8-11)
MD Sheng Hao LWI-Mohd Syazmil Idham ZAINAL ABIDIN lost Peeranat BOONTUN- Boonsak PONSANA 1-3 (9-11 2-11 11-7 6-11)
XD Lin LIU China- Qar Siong YAP vs Fie Cho SOONG- Jinn Hwa TAN (Not Played)
MS2 Tze Yong NG vs Seng Zoe YEOH (Not Played)

Third/Fourth Placing Results (Today)

(3PM) Ampang Jaya BC 7-11 Petaling BC
MS1 Brice LEVERDEZ lost Jan O’ JORGENSEN 1-3 (6-11 9-11 11-6 7-11)
WS Pornpawee CHOCHUWONG won Pui Yin YIP 3-1 (11-9 8-11 11-9 11-10)
MD Kah Ming CHOOI-Juan Shen LOW lost Wei Chong MAN- Chun Kang SHIA 2-3 (9-11 11-10 6-11 11-7 6-11)
XD Hoi Wah CHAU- Lukhi Apri NUGROHO lost Tang Jie CHEN- Yen Wei PECK 1-3 (11-10 4-11 7-11 9-11)
MS2 Jia Wei TAN lost June Wei CHEAM 0-1 (8-11)

SS Purple League Final Schedule (Sunday, 27 January 2019)

FINAL
(3PM) Kepong BC vs Puchong United 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/