Petaling BC Bounce Back in Style

KUALA LUMPUR (26 December 2017): Petaling Badminton Club (BC) delivered a strong message to other SS Purple League (SSPL) title contenders as they edged Ampang Jaya BC 12-6 during their SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road today.

Petaling BC were under immense pressure to bounce back from the humiliating defeat suffered at the hands of Puchong United BC in their last match.

But it was Ampang Jaya BC that got off to a dream start as their men’s singles, Tan Jia Wei produced a shocking result in the first men’s singles match. Tan inflicted a first defeat on Petaling BC’s Kenichi Tago 3-0 (11-10, 11-10, 11-7).

Another shocker was on the cards, this time it was Petaling BC’s Indonesian import, Hera Desiana Rachmawati who recorded a stunning straight sets 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-8) victory over Malaysia’s women No. 1, Ampang Jaya BC’s Goh Jin Wei.

Petaling BC spurred on after that inspiring performance to record wins in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles match. Aaron Chia and newlywed Goh V Shem overcame Ampang Jaya BC’s men’s doubles pair of Muhd Syawal Ismail and Lukhi Nugroho 3-1 (11-2, 11-8, 7-11, 11-9) while Chen Tang Jie and Devi Tika Permatasari just about did enough to beat Ampang Jaya’s mixed doubles pair of Ririn Amelia and Ch’Ng Choo Han 3-2 (10-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5).

Needing only to win one more set to secure the win, Petaling BC’s Iskandar Zulkarnain duly delivered for his team as he performed tremendously under pressure to beat Ampang Jaya BC’s Zulfadli Zulkiffli 3-0 (11-8, 11-10, 11-6).    

“This is a team event. We have to work as a team to win our matches. Sometimes our own performances can affect our teammates. That is why we have to also be mentally strong, which is what I lack in that department. I really need to up my game, both physically and mentally. We (Petaling BC) are very much capable of qualifying for the Finals and I will do my best to help my team,” said Petaling BC’s Chen Tang Jie.

Meanwhile, Bangsar Hawks BC remain winless after their latest 6-14 defeat to reigning champions, Petaling Jaya BC during their SSPL 2017/18 Phase 1 match at the Sports Arena Sentosa, Old Klang Road earlier today.

Petaling Jaya BC raced to a 3-0 lead as their captain, Goh Giap Chin demolished Bangsar Hawks BC’s debutant, Wu Song Jian in straight sets (11-1, 11-9, 11-5) in the first match of the tie.

Bangsar Hawk BC’s Shen Yabing looked to have levelled the overall score as she was cruising in the women’s singles match, winning the first two sets.  But lacklustre displays allowed her opponent, Supanida Katethong to get back into the game and eventually secure a 3-2 (8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 9-5) win for Petaling Jaya BC.

Inspired by that comeback, Petaling Jaya BC’s Chooi Kah Ming and Low Juan Shen performed admirably to defeat Bangsar Hawks BC’s pair of Dede Ryan Philip and Yap Qar Siong 3-1 (11-10, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9) in the men’s doubles match.

Bangsar Hawks BC’s Liu Lin and Hiripong Sathorn fought valiantly to win their mixed doubles match 3-2 (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 4-11, 11-8) against opponents, K. Yogendran and Ti Wei Chyi but the result was enough to seal Petaling Jaya BC’s third win of the season.

Hong Kong international, Lee Cheuk Yiu put the finishing touches to Petaling Jaya BC’s win as he easily beat Bangsar Hawks BC’s Zulhelmi Zulkiffli 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-6)in the last men’s singles match.

“I feel that we didn’t perform to our best today even though we won our match. The 11-points system is quite challenging as we have to stay on our toes all the time and if we slip up, it will be hard for us to win,” said Petaling Jaya BC’s Low Juan Shen.

“With our win today, we have now registered three wins and only lost once. We have a high chance of qualifying for the Finals as we have only three more games left to secure a spot in the top six,” added Low.