University of Cape-Coast Forward Mohammed Yakubu believes missed chances cost his side progression to the next round of the 2016 Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) Basketball Championship after suffering a 46-49 defeat to Takoradi Polytechnic.
The host institution went into the final game against the Western side following a 46-35 win over city rivals Cape-Coast Polytechnic. However, the team failed to see the final game through despite leading for most parts that gave T Poly the chance to get back into the game and score the close win.
Speaking to Basektballghana.com in the aftermath of the loss, the veteran Forward was rued missed chances particularly in the final quarter which had they converted, would have secured a quarter final appearance for the 2016 Ghana Universities Sports Association bronze medalist. He said:
“We played our hearts out but then luck was not on our side and in a basketball game, you need to take your chances. If it comes, you make sure you utilize them and we didn’t utilize the last chances that we had. We were jittery so we missed most of the shots and when we missed them, they took us on the counter and they made the shots”.
Takoradi Polytechnic will represent Zone E in the last eight on April 14 at the University of Ghana against University of Development Studies-Tamale, University of Energy and Natural Resources and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, who have already qualified.
Preliminary qualifiers continue Friday April 1 at Accra Polytechnic where two-time and defending champions Accra Poly will take on Zenith University College, Blue Crest University College and Valley View University in Zone F.
The UPAC Championship is headlined by Rexona, supported by MTN, Fanyogo and CAL Bank in partnership with Basketballghana.com, TV3, Y FM and Ghana Sports Newspaper.
