30 Dec PUBC ends 2018 with a bang, goes top of SSPL 2018/19

Puchong United Badminton Club (PUBC) ended 2018 with a bang, wresting top spot from Ampang Jaya Badminton Club (AJBC) with a 13-7 win over Serdang Badminton Club (SBC) to put them in the driving seat with two matches remaining in the SS Purple League 2018/19.

Earlier, AJBC was provisionally top after winning 15-4 over strugglers, Bandar Maharani Badminton Club (BMBC) going five for five, thus maintaining its 100% record. AJBC are now second and are looking good to take up another remaining automatic slot for the final round in Resorts World Genting.

Stalwart, Goh Giap Chin fought through the pain barrier, opening accounts for PUBC with a 3-1 (9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6) over China’s Liu Zejia.

Up and coming Indonesian starlet, Lyanny Alessandra Mainaky then won her match 3-1 (11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 5-4) against rising star, Ho Yen Mei in the women’s singles to leave the tie in the balance, 4-4.

Men’s doubles, Lim Khim Wah-Ong Yew Sin put PUBC in front after a barnstorming performance against Malaysian-Chinese pairing, Lwi Sheng Hao-Tianyi Pei, winning 3-1 (7-11, 11-6, 11-10, 11-4).

Hong Kong-Malaysian pairing, Ng Tsz Yau-Tan Kian Meng then made sure of the overall victory, with a win over the Malaysian pair, Yap Cheng Wen-Yap Qar Siong, 3-1 (10-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-9) for an unassailable 10-6 lead for PUBC.

Puchong United BC’s manager, Irina Inozemtseva is still wary of two more opponents her team is yet to face in the battle for the two automatic qualifying spots for the SSPL final round.

Hong Kong rising star, Lee Cheuk Yiu put the gloss on an overall dominant display by the defending champions with a 3-1 (11-3, 11-5, 10-11, 11-3) result over Wang Yihui from China.

PUBC manager, Irina Nozemtseva had high praises for Giap Chin, who was declared unfit to play by the medical staff and team officials but he still soldiered on for the priceless three points.

“The doctors and officials said he cannot play but he managed to overcome his sickness and deliver the points.

“I am proud of the courage that he has shown. They say money can buy players, but cannot buy a team. If he didn’t play, we would have to concede a walkover.

“For our next two matches, if we get 15 points (against Bandar Maharani BC), the game against Petaling BC will decide the top two places for the round robin stage,” added Irina.

The top two teams at the end of the round robin stage will directly go to the final round in Resorts World Genting on the 24-27 January.

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.

SSPL FULL RESULTS TODAY

(4pm)- Ampang Jaya BC 15-4 Bandar Maharani BC         

MS2  TAN Jia Wei won LIM Chong King 3-1 (11-3 11-7 9-11 11-4)

WS    GOH Jin Wei won Korepap CHASINEE 3-1 (11-7 6-11 11-5 11-6)

MD   LOW Juan Shen- Nugroho LUKHI APRI won GOH Sze Fei- Mohd Rumsani NUR IZZUDDIN 3-1 (            8-11 11-10 11-6 11-8)

XD    CHAN Peng Soon- LAI Jemie, Shevon won LEE Meng Yean- WONG Tien Ci 3-0 (11-10 11-9 11-8)

MS1  LEE Zii Jia won NG Jun Yan 3-1 (11-10 8-11 11-5 11-5)

 (8.00pm)- Puchong United 13-7 Serdang BC       

MS2      GOH Giap Chin won LIU Zejia 3-1 (9-11 11-9 11-8 11-6)

WS        HO Yen Mei loss Alessandra Mainaky LYANNY 1-3 (9-11 11-9 7-11 4-5)

MD        LIM Khim Wah- ONG Yew Sin won LWI Sheng Hao- PEI Tianyi 3-1 (7-11 11-6 11-10 11-4)

XD         NG Tsz Yau- TAN Kian Meng won Cheng Wen- YAP Qar Siong 3-1 (10-11 11-6 11-4 11-9)

MS1      LEE Cheuk Yiu won WANG Yihui 3-1 (11-3 11-5 10-11 11-3)

SSPL Current Standings

              TEAM                        P      GW        PW

1 Puchong United BC        5       58          884

2 Ampang Jaya BC             5       55          865

3 Petaling BC                       4        45          700

4 Kepong BC                        4        42          698

5 Tebrau City BC                4        41          737

6 Serdang BC                       5        39          774

7 Bukit Mertajam AS BC  4        34          636

8 Bandar Maharani BC    5        31          746

*p- played, gw- games won, pw- points won

SSPL Schedule (2 January 2019)

(4:00pm) Petaling BC vs Tebrau City BC               

(8:00pm) Bukit Mertajam All Stars BC vs Kepong BC