The lack of team chemistry is the main reason behind Sunyani Polytechnic’s failure to qualify to the quarter final stage of the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) Basketball Championship according to Guard Patrick Opoku Asare.
He made the comments following Sunyani Polytechnic’s 28-40 loss to Catholic University College in Zone C games of the UPAC Championship held at the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR). This year’s edition of the Championship is headlined by top-selling deodorant brand Rexona.
The enterprising player was one of the few bright spots on a Sunyani team which failed to secure qualification to the latter stages of the competition. Speaking to Basketballghana.com, he said:
“We haven’t played together for long so the team work is not there and that is why whenever I go for a layup, nobody posts for me or cut for me.”
Another incident he cited as a major contributor to his side’s unimpressive showing was playing two games in quick succession as Sunyani Nurses Training College late arrival forced organizers to alter the itinerary for the day. However, opponents Catholic University College, had no such problems as their game against Sunyani Nurses’ was forfeited due to the latter’s late arrival.
“That was a factor because we didn’t rest for long we just rested for 30 minutes and we came out for the next game.”
Sunyani Polytechnic lost 30-34 to host UENR in the opening game before securing an unsurprising 45-31 win over whipping boys, Sunyani Nurses in the final game. UENR went on to beat Catholic University 49-24 to book a spot in the quarter final games slated for April 14. UENR’s Point Guard Robert Fiifi Brew was named Tournament Most Valuable Player.
The 2016 UPAC Championship is supported by MTN, CAL Bank and Fanyogo in partnership with Basketballghana.com, TV3, Y FM and Ghana Sports Newspaper.
