Defending champions Puchong United BC (PUBC) joined Ampang Jaya BC in the 2018/19 SS Purple League (SSPL) finals after a nail-biting 10-10 draw with Petaling BC on the final day of Stage 1 at the Gem In Mall, Cyberjaya, on Sunday.
The result allowed PUBC (81 sets won) to edge Petaling (80) by a single set for second place on the league table — the top two automatically qualified for the finals.
Ampang Jaya (81) had already sealed their spot in the finals with a 15-3 thrashing of Serdang BC on Saturday.
Petaling, who would've gone through to the finals with a win, drew first blood against PUBC with Chong Yee Han beating Lau Yu Leong 3-1 (7-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-2) in the opening men's singles round.
Women's singles shuttler Ho Yen Mei restored parity for her side by beating Moningka Gabriela Meilani 3-1 (11-9, 11-10, 7-11, 11-9).
Men's doubles pair Tan Boon Heong-Tan Kian Meng gave PUBC the lead with a 3-0 (11-9 11-4 11-7) win over Man Wei Chong-Shia Chun Kang.
However, Terry Hee Yong Kai-Lai Pei Jing gave Petaling a lifeline by overcoming Goh Liu Ying-Tang Chun Man 3-2 (11-8, 8-11, 8-11, 11-10, 8-7) in the mixed doubles round.
In the final round, Lee Cheuk Yiu bagged a decisive set in a 1-3 loss to Zainuddin Iskandar Zulkarnain (10-11, 11-6, 9-11, 7-10) to ensure PUBC's place in the finals.
"We are the defending champions and we received a good fight from all the other teams.
"I am happy for my team for showing consistency in their game from Day 1.
"Qualifying automatically for the final rounds means we are already through to the semi-finals.
"It’s not easy as all the teams know each other’s games and also we have to take into consideration, the weather in Genting Highlands," said PUBC manager Irina Inozemtseva.
After failing to finish in the top two, Petaling BC will have to compete with Kepong BC, Tebrau City BC, Serdang BC, Bukit Mertajam All Stars BC and Bandar Maharani BC in Stage 2 from January 11 to 13 for the remaining four spots in the finals.
The final round will be held from January 24 to 27 at the Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.
Seng Foo Lee
Mon Jan 07 2019
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