Defending champions Accra Polytechnic sealed a crucial 37-33 win over Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) as Day Two of the 2016 Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) Basketball Championship quarter finals.
The games which are being played at the University of Ghana have had wonderful display of basketball at its best. The two-time champions had an easy game against Valley View University by whipping the debutants 81-22 on Day One of the last eight stage which were played at the former’s dreaded basketball court.
However, the team had it really tough against a rejuvenated GIMPA side that had improved play from all members of the team. The performance shown by the team was in sharp contrast to the team which lost 29-53 a day before to University of Ghana.
GIMPA started the game in lively fashion by taking a 11-5 lead as Accra Polytechnic stumbled into getting in tune with instructions from their famed coach Braimah Lawal. Jake Morrison’s play brought back scenes from his 2010 days where he inspired his then institution, University of Ghana, to the Ghana Universities Sports Association (GUSA) Basketball Championship.
However, Farahat’s introduction in the latter parts of the second quarter calmed Accra Poly down and restored the team’s lead. A deep three from the experienced Small Forward halted a GIMPA scoring run that tied the scores at 30.
The heated nature of the game nearly boiled over as several from both sides had verbal exchanges. GIMPA was particularly peeved with some calls from officials leaving captain McMartey Lawer frustrated on the bench after fouling out in the closing stages of the game.
The 2016 UPAC Championship is headlined by Rexona, supported by MTN, CAL Bank and Fanyogo in partnership with Basketballghana.com, Y FM, TV3 and Ghana Sports Newspaper.
