KUALA LUMPUR: Petaling Jaya BC emerged champions of the SS Purple League (SSPL) 2016/17 season, as they defeated a star-studded Puchong United BC 13-9 in the final at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting on Sunday.
Petaling Jaya almost got off to a dream start after their men’s singles player, Dani Harsheel Alpesh, raced to a two-game lead in the first men’s singles match. His Puchong United opponent, Chou Tien Chen, however, clawed back, claiming a 3-2 win over the spirited Dani Harsheel.
World No 1 Tai Tzu Ying, also suffered a similar scare as she went two games down to Petaling’s Deng Xuan in the women’s singles match.
Tzu Ying, kept her cool to take the match 3-2 and put Puchong 2 points ahead of their opponents.
But it was Petaling Jaya who reclaimed the lead after the men’s doubles match, thanks to Kim Sa Rang-Koo Kien Keat. The two continued their excellent partnership, gunning down their Puchong United opponents, Lim Khim Wah-Tan Chee Tean in straight games (3-0).
The win proved to be the turning point for Petaling Jaya, as they went on to notch the next two matches to record a famous victory and secure their first SSPL trophy.
Shin Baek Cheol-Woon Khe Wei recorded a priceless 3-1 victory over their opponents Yoo Yeon Seong-Christinna Pedersen in the mixed doubles match.
Needing only one more point in the last match, it was captain Goh Giap Chin who once again delivered the championship point for Petaling Jaya, as he won his match against Soo Teck Zhi 3-2.
“It feels fantastic to win, because we are the underdogs and we managed to beat teams like Petaling, BU Dragons and now Puchong United, who all have superstars in their respective teams. But we have hardworking players who possess the ‘never-say- die’ attitude, such as Giap Chin and Koo Kien Keat who led by example, and Deng Xuan, who contributed vital points for us,” said Petaling Jaya’s team manager, Manoj Kumar.
Earlier, last year’s champions Muar BC pipped BU Dragons BC to third place after coming out tops in their third-fourth playoff tie.
Roll of Honour
Champions: Petaling Jaya BC
Runners-up: Puchong United BC
Second Runners-up: Muar BC
Third Runners-up: BU Dragons BC
Fifth Place: Petaling BC
Sixth Place: Ampang Jaya BC
Seventh Place: Kepong BC
Eighth Place: Serdang BC
Ninth Place: Bangsar Hawks BC
Tenth Place: Klang City BC