Accra Polytechnic rebounded from a shock loss to hosts University of Ghana to beat Takoradi Polytechnic 55-41 in the opening game of the 2016 Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) Basketball Championship.
University of Ghana saw off the challenge of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) as the host team won a close game 49-47 to meet Accra Polytechnic for the second time in the competition.
Defending champions, Accra Polytechnic booked a spot in the finals of Ghana’s biggest tertiary basketball competition for a third straight edition. The great achievement underlines Accra Polytechnic supremacy in Ghana tertiary basketball.
However, the team’s unblemished record of having won every game in the Championship since its inception in 2011 after UG inflicted a painful 46-38 loss on them. Seeing their precious record come tumbling down, Accra Poly easily handled Takoradi Polytechnic particularly from the second half as the team stretched the game’s lead to multiple digits.
Coach Braimah Lawal had the luxury of resting key players Farahat Tamimu and Abdul Mutaleeb Alhassan for long stretches as their lead never looked threatened of being wiped out.
On Court 2, UG came from behind to usurp KNUST to the sole ticket to the final game. UG’s massive win over Accra Polytechnic a day before made UG’s mental fortitude unshakeable as the team patiently came into its’ elements as the game progressed. UG’s ability to withstand KNUST’s threat despite the absence of Shooting Guard Emmanuel Wolff for long periods after fouling out of the game, was commendable.
Takoradi Polytechnic and KNUST will play in the losers’ final for a bronze medal in the third place game. KNUST won the first match up by beating Takoradi Poly 49-42.
The 2016 UPAC Championship is headlined by Rexona, supported by MTN, CAL Bank and Fanyogo in partnership with Bsketballghana.com, Y FM, TV 3 and Ghana Sports Newspaper.
