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MY-NPL Event # 4 was held at Dataran Pahlawan in Banda Hilir, Melaka. For those who have not been into Melaka for a while, especially to Banda Hilir, you wouldn't recognize the change that has taken place in this area. Even Armada's Battosai was speechless when we first drove into the town that has just recently been added to the UNESCO’s World Heritage List (Georgetown, Penang was the other one). By the way, the Melaka government also threw a bash on Friday, 1st August, to mark this historic achievement. (Managed to snap the cool fireworks from the hotel)
The organizers of MY-NPL has always strived to look for a cool venue and this time around at Dataran Pahlawan they've hit the jackpot. I thought that we were going to play on a usual normal field in front of Mahkota Parade because that is what I remembered the last time I was there (There were even bull-cart rides then). Now there's no more field - underground is a shopping mall, while on topside there's a covered open space and an open golf-like turf area about the size of 2 soccer fields. It is really cool!
The covered open space became the player's paddock and obviously the plays will take place on the turf. For the first time in MY-NPL history, the tournament will be played on TURF! In terms of playing field - it really does not get any better than this... even has hidden sprinklers which pops-up when required.
The organizers of MY-NPL has always strived to look for a cool venue and this time around at Dataran Pahlawan they've hit the jackpot. I thought that we were going to play on a usual normal field in front of Mahkota Parade because that is what I remembered the last time I was there (There were even bull-cart rides then). Now there's no more field - underground is a shopping mall, while on topside there's a covered open space and an open golf-like turf area about the size of 2 soccer fields. It is really cool!
The covered open space became the player's paddock and obviously the plays will take place on the turf. For the first time in MY-NPL history, the tournament will be played on TURF! In terms of playing field - it really does not get any better than this... even has hidden sprinklers which pops-up when required.
Day 1 of the tournament started off without a hitch and it was kicked off with teams from D1 on Field 1. Didn't really notice the other divisions due to the fact that D1 teams must finish their first 6 games before noon, it was non-stop prepping for the next game and so forth. When all was done, we had to hurriedly pack up all our stuff because the lower division teams were coming in for their games.
It kinda caused a bit of chaos because on one hand we were exhausted and on the other we've got teams waiting on our table like in a popular crowded mamak restaurant. Mr. Sofian's announcement to vacate the paddock ASAP didn't go down well judging by the response he received.
My team (Armada), didn't do well on Day 1 - we were at the bottom of the table. Title favorites Nemesis were also inconsistent - they went in with 3 wins & 3 losses. The strongest team of the day was Ronin which topped the table and they were hot favorites to win the Melaka event. Additionally, their morale were probably boosted by the attendance of their principal sponsor - MacDev, Australia. Dianne King, CEO of MacDev, had earlier mentioned during the Captain's briefing that MY-NPL was the best organized tournament (Now that's priceless boys & girls...) We hope that Dianne had an excellent time in Malaysia.
It kinda caused a bit of chaos because on one hand we were exhausted and on the other we've got teams waiting on our table like in a popular crowded mamak restaurant. Mr. Sofian's announcement to vacate the paddock ASAP didn't go down well judging by the response he received.
My team (Armada), didn't do well on Day 1 - we were at the bottom of the table. Title favorites Nemesis were also inconsistent - they went in with 3 wins & 3 losses. The strongest team of the day was Ronin which topped the table and they were hot favorites to win the Melaka event. Additionally, their morale were probably boosted by the attendance of their principal sponsor - MacDev, Australia. Dianne King, CEO of MacDev, had earlier mentioned during the Captain's briefing that MY-NPL was the best organized tournament (Now that's priceless boys & girls...) We hope that Dianne had an excellent time in Malaysia.
Day 2 started off with D1 teams finishing off their remaining 2 games to complete the Preliminary Round. Armada finished at the bottom of the table while Ronin took top spot to set up the first QF game which will be played in a 'best of 3' format. The other D1 QF games were - Nemesis Vs Wolverinez, Delta Rovers Vs Banzai, and Black Widow Vs X-Pursuit .
As usual, the first QF would start with Armada (it has been so for the past 2 tournaments) and in Melaka they faced Ronin. We were hammered in the first game but managed to take some Ronins down with us. For the second game, we almost lost it but somehow with only Che' Man & Chip remaining on the right flank, Armada claimed it's first victory against Ronin to set up a mouthwatering 3rd game in the QF. Armada could have woken up some of the spirit it had when they won the Pre-NPL tournament in 2006 while at the same time the Ronins would be hell bent on revenge to take back their right to be in the Semis at Melaka.
Being the pirates that we are, Armada spoiled Ronin's party and took the third QF final game to advance to play in the Semi Finals for the first time since Ipoh in 2006. Pari certainly made up for his mistake during the QF game against Demonz in PJ. He was the last man and hung the flag with less than a minute remaining. On the other QF games - Nemesis triumphed over Wolverinez, Banzai kicked out Delta Rovers and finally X-Pursuit made it at the expense of Blackwidow.
In the Semis, Armada faced X-Pursuit, and Nemesis battled Banzai in a fight to the Final round. Armada must have used up all it's luck and energy because we lost out to X-Pursuit. Although we won the first game, it was downhill from there on as X-Pursuit brought their game. Nemesis booked their place in the Final but it wasn't easy having lost in the first game against Banzai.
In the Final - Nemesis fought a close battle with X-Pursuit but the underdog came out on top for their first ever NPL tournament win while Banzai ran over Armada to claim 3rd place. Melaka proved to be the tournament for the Underdogs - X-Pursuit, Banzai & Armada as they claim their podium places at the end of the day. However, I'm pretty sure that Ronin, Wolverinez and Delta Rovers will step up their game for the season finale later this year.
Nemesis looks set to become champs for 2008 as they only need to qualify from the prelims during the season finale but second and third place is still up for grabs. Overall, Villain Paintball would like to say that NPL Melaka was the best tournament among the other NPL tournaments that has taken place in the past. Additionally, it's still the most organized paintball tournament in Malaysia and credit goes out to the organizers for taking the effort to improve on the shortcommings of their events despite the numerous challanges that they face.
Hopefully that more corporate sponsors would come in as partners for future events as it brings in much needed strength in various aspects. Perhaps this is where we could come in and assist, not only because we may know people or have the ability (to sponsor) but because MY-NPL has always been a league which puts priority to us i.e. it's participants.
Remember, only good things come out of doing good for people. Last but not least, congratulations to all the winners of MY-NPL Melaka and we look forward to the Season Grand Finale which would be held at Stadium MPBJ, Kelana Jaya on 1st - 2nd November 2008.
Oh by the way, there's also the Malaysian Super 7 2008 on the 30th - 31st August 2008. The Malaysian Super 7 will be played at MAPAAC, PJ and is brought to you by MY-NPL & Nemesis Paintball Club. For detailed info, please log on to http://www.my-npl.org/.
*Photos credit to their respected owners.
As usual, the first QF would start with Armada (it has been so for the past 2 tournaments) and in Melaka they faced Ronin. We were hammered in the first game but managed to take some Ronins down with us. For the second game, we almost lost it but somehow with only Che' Man & Chip remaining on the right flank, Armada claimed it's first victory against Ronin to set up a mouthwatering 3rd game in the QF. Armada could have woken up some of the spirit it had when they won the Pre-NPL tournament in 2006 while at the same time the Ronins would be hell bent on revenge to take back their right to be in the Semis at Melaka.
Being the pirates that we are, Armada spoiled Ronin's party and took the third QF final game to advance to play in the Semi Finals for the first time since Ipoh in 2006. Pari certainly made up for his mistake during the QF game against Demonz in PJ. He was the last man and hung the flag with less than a minute remaining. On the other QF games - Nemesis triumphed over Wolverinez, Banzai kicked out Delta Rovers and finally X-Pursuit made it at the expense of Blackwidow.
In the Semis, Armada faced X-Pursuit, and Nemesis battled Banzai in a fight to the Final round. Armada must have used up all it's luck and energy because we lost out to X-Pursuit. Although we won the first game, it was downhill from there on as X-Pursuit brought their game. Nemesis booked their place in the Final but it wasn't easy having lost in the first game against Banzai.
In the Final - Nemesis fought a close battle with X-Pursuit but the underdog came out on top for their first ever NPL tournament win while Banzai ran over Armada to claim 3rd place. Melaka proved to be the tournament for the Underdogs - X-Pursuit, Banzai & Armada as they claim their podium places at the end of the day. However, I'm pretty sure that Ronin, Wolverinez and Delta Rovers will step up their game for the season finale later this year.
Nemesis looks set to become champs for 2008 as they only need to qualify from the prelims during the season finale but second and third place is still up for grabs. Overall, Villain Paintball would like to say that NPL Melaka was the best tournament among the other NPL tournaments that has taken place in the past. Additionally, it's still the most organized paintball tournament in Malaysia and credit goes out to the organizers for taking the effort to improve on the shortcommings of their events despite the numerous challanges that they face.
Hopefully that more corporate sponsors would come in as partners for future events as it brings in much needed strength in various aspects. Perhaps this is where we could come in and assist, not only because we may know people or have the ability (to sponsor) but because MY-NPL has always been a league which puts priority to us i.e. it's participants.
Remember, only good things come out of doing good for people. Last but not least, congratulations to all the winners of MY-NPL Melaka and we look forward to the Season Grand Finale which would be held at Stadium MPBJ, Kelana Jaya on 1st - 2nd November 2008.
Oh by the way, there's also the Malaysian Super 7 2008 on the 30th - 31st August 2008. The Malaysian Super 7 will be played at MAPAAC, PJ and is brought to you by MY-NPL & Nemesis Paintball Club. For detailed info, please log on to http://www.my-npl.org/.
*Photos credit to their respected owners.
For Results & Photos, checkout the previous entry here.
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