A-Poly silences UG to win zone 2 of UPAC games

It was pure and simple as Accra Polytechnic (A-Poly) thought the University of Ghana (UG) basketball lessons-beating their sworn rivals 39-19 to win zone 2 of the Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges (UPAC) basketball championship over the weekend.

The two sides met for the first time and veteran Coach Braimah Lawah’s charges silenced the host side in the final game of the one-day competition which attracted a sizeable crowd to the main basketball court of the University of Ghana.

The GUSA Champions found arguably the championships’ best player Emmanuel Dickson too hot to handle as the final year student displayed maturity and power play to help his side clinch the ultimate trophy.

Students of Accra-Poly were there in their numbers and with the presence of the very popular cheer leading group, the ‘Zulu Community’; it was clear from the onset that they were in for the title.

Both A-Poly and UG had negotiated their two respective ties at the expense of old foes Institute of Professional Studies (IPS) and the Central University College-that set the two institutions up for a super final game.

UG looked out of sort and they will be made to count their loss and question the wisdom of allowing last year’s GUSA MVP, Uriah Asante Clarke to sit out of the competition.

His presence was greatly felt in the final content with young Nii Lantei Blankson who did creditably well in the previous two games- was found wanting in the final game against their opponent.

A-Poly may have won the bragging right but both institutions have book their ticket for the grand-finale on April 16 at the same venue.

Central University College came third after recording a 35-29 success over minnows IPS.

Meanwhile members of Zone 3 made up of the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo conference (Sunyani Polytechnic, Christian Service University, KNUST , Garden City University) will play on Saturday April 9 at Kumasi Polytechnic basketball court.

The 2011 UPAC basketball championship is brought to you by Tigo – Express Yourself, supported by Red Bull Energy drink, Metro TV and powered by Rite Multimedia- leaders in basketball development and promotion in Ghana.