PETALING BC AND AMPANG JAYA BC BOOK THEIR SPOTS IN THE FINAL OF THE SENHENG REDONE PURPLE LEAGUE PROFESSIONAL 2022

KUALA LUMPUR (8 October 2022): A nail-biting final is on the cards, with Petaling BC and Ampang Jaya BC vying for the sixth SENHENG redONE Purple League Professional (SRPLP) title at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting tomorrow.

The first semi-final was a heated clash between Petaling BC and Sena Bangkok Club, with the local badminton giants winning 10-3.

Elite French shuttler Brice Leverdez opened Petaling BC's account by defeating Kittipong Imnark 11-4, 11-7, 11-8 in the men's singles, needing just 19 minutes to win in straight games.

Leverdez, who gave Petaling BC an early 3-0 lead, said, "I'm delighted to give my team an early lead in this exhilarating fixture. I would like to take this moment to thank the Malaysia Purple League for giving me and my team this platform to compete with all these experienced and notable players. I hope we continue this momentum and clinch the prestigious title in tomorrow's all-important final."

The tables turned in the second match, when Sena Bangkok Club's world No. 12 Busanan Ongbamrungphan pulled out all the stops to beat Petaling BC's Chinese Taipei shuttler Pai Yu-Po 11-6, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5 in the women's singles.

Petaling BC regained control when stalwart pair Goh V Shem-Low Juan Shen outclassed Sena Bangkok Club's Kittisak Namdech-Tan Wee Kiong 11-8, 11-6, 11-4 in straight games.

Petaling BC then sealed their place in the final in style, as mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie-Lai Pei Jing defeated Yap Qar Siong-Atitaya Povanon 11-4, 11-6, 11-4.

Chen Tang Jie, who partnered Commonwealth Games gold medallist Lai Pei Jing, said, "As a pair, we are extremely happy to contribute the match-winning point for our team. On top of that, we played well despite facing a resilient Sena Bangkok Club side. It will be a tough game against our opponents tomorrow, but we will give it our all and go for the win."

In the 3pm semi-final, Ampang Jaya BC secured their place in the final by defeating defending champions Puchong United BC 9-5. In the opening match, Puchong United BC's Lee Cheuk Yiu needed just 17 minutes to stun Ampang Jaya's world No. 4 Chou Tien Chen 11-7, 11-2, 11-7 in the men's singles.

Lee Cheuk Yiu, who had already faced Chou Tien Chen twice this year at the 2022 BWF World Championships and the 2022 Japan Open, was delighted with his performance. "I'm happy that I was able to kick-start my team's bid to qualify for the final with this victory. It's never easy to play against a top player like Chou Tien Chen," he said.

However, Ampang Jaya BC fought back in the second match through Goh Jin Wei, who had to work hard to defeat Soniia Cheah Su Ya 11-6, 5-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-9 in the women's singles, putting Ampang Jaya BC back in the race at 3-5.

Mohammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani-Sabar Karyaman Gutama then beat Puchong United BC's Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi 11-9, 11-4, 11-7 in 17 minutes in the men's doubles to put Ampang Jaya BC ahead 6-5.

Ampang Jaya BC sealed their place in the final in style, as Shevon Jemie Lai-Goh Soon Huat beat Tan Kian Meng-Goh Liu Ying in the mixed doubles for an overall 9-5 victory.

The victorious pair said, "We were always ready to face a tactically strong opponent like Tan Kian Meng-Goh Liu Ying. We prepared for this in advance, and we're delighted to emerge victorious against a tough opponent. We're now looking forward to fighting for our team in the final against Petaling BC."

The SRPLP 2022 final takes place at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting at 3pm tomorrow, with the third-place playoff at 11am at the same venue.

Semi-final results (Saturday, 8 October 2022):

11am – Petaling BC 10-3 Sena Bangkok Club

3pm – Ampang Jaya BC 9-5 Puchong United BC

Final day fixtures (Sunday, 9 October 2022):

11am – Puchong United BC vs Sena Bangkok Club

3pm – Ampang Jaya BC vs Petaling BC

Founded and incorporated on 24 October 2013, Purple League Sports Management Sdn. Bhd. aims to create a brand-new platform in support of the Malaysian badminton scene, while raising the standard of badminton proficiency and contributing towards creating future champions for the country.

At the forefront of all its endeavours is the Malaysia Purple League, named after the colour purple, long associated with royalty, power and courage. The initiative provides players of all levels, both professionals and amateurs, with an opportunity to gain invaluable competitive experience, while engaging retired national greats to guide and inspire a new generation of champions.