PUTRAJAYA (23 December 2021): The Top Glove Purple League Pro-Am 2021 (TGPLPA) kept all those who were at the venue today on their toes as Ampang Jaya BC extended their winning streak after beating Petaling Jaya BC (12-9) in the last game of the third day.
Ampang Jaya BC got off to a good start as Lim Tze Jian – Wong Kha Yan defeated Clarissa San – Tan Wei Liang (11-5, 10-11, 11-7, 11-5) in the mixed doubles.
However, the club from Kuala Lumpur had to keep their calm after Tan Jia Jie lost to Low Eu Chong (6-11, 11-7, 11-6, 4-11, 8-11) in the men’s singles.
Ampang Jaya’s fortunes did not change as Erica Hoh lost to R. Kasturi (5-11, 7-11, 11-7, 3-11) in the women’s singles.
While all seemed lost, Lau Yi Sheng – Lee Yi Bo used every muscle and defeated Kho Yap Hong – Sim Wee Sheng (11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6) in the men’s doubles.
During the deciding game, Tang Wen Xin – Wong Kha Yan defeated R. Kasturi – R. Venosha (7-11, 11-10, 11-8, 11-10) to give Ampang Jaya BC the win over Petaling Jaya BC in the women’s doubles.
According to Ampang Jaya BC’s team manager, Voon Siaw Yie “I am very proud of our team because most of our players are home-grown from Ampang”.
The action in the first half of the day saw a clash of titans between Seremban City BC and Serdang BC on court 1. Serdang BC got the better of their Group A rivals by winning 12-7 and subsequently dislodged Seremban City from the top of the table.
Seremban City BC will now be facing Butterworth BC while Serdang BC will claim their well-deserved rest as they eagerly wait for their opponents to complete their group fixtures.
On court 2, high-riding Butterworth BC continued with their fine run defeating Bangi City BC 14-5. The Northern giants had earlier chalked up victories over DSBC Labuan and Serdang BC on the opening day of the competition.
The mixed doubles pair of Tan Yi Han – Teoh Lexuan pulled off the opening point for Butterworth BC as they put away their opponents Mohd Najmi – Nurul Aisyah (11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6) in a tight opening game.
Bangi City BC temporarily spoiled the party for Butterworth BC as Samuel Lee lost to Muhd Affan (10-11, 11-7, 10-11, 11-5, 7-11) in the men’s singles.
However, Butterworth BC bounced back as Isabel Liau maintained her composure and defeated Arieesya Sofea (11-9, 11-5, 11-2) in the women’s singles.
Butterworth BC kept their foot on the gas and extended their lead against Bangi City BC as Chee Yik Shen – Teh Zi Yi defeated Muhd Aizat – Muhd Ammar (11-5, 11-6, 11-6) in the men’s doubles.
In the final game, Butterworth BC sealed their victory and remained undefeated in the group stages as Lim Jing Ning – Teoh Lexuan defeated Fairuz Fadlin – Siti Farhanah (11-7, 11-2, 11-3) in the women’s doubles which only lasted 16 minutes.
Butterworth BC’s team manager Tommy Lee Sau Wah was satisfied with his team’s good run and the hard work put in by the players. However, he remained modest and said, “first and foremost, I would prefer not to be too overconfident, as I believe that we were lucky to win all of our expected games.”
He added “I have huge respect to all the 10 teams who are participating as they have been consistent in their performance throughout this prestigious tournament. We will rest well tonight and regain our strength for tomorrow’s match against Seremban City BC.”
The TGPLPA will continue all week at the at the Kompleks Kejiranan Presint 11 in Putrajaya. The 10 teams will compete in a single round-robin format in their respective groups and the top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
