Accra Polytechnic needed a breathtaking performance from Aliu Tamimu Farahaat in the fourth quarter of the finals against Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to defend the UPAC basketball trophy.

"We knew it was going to be tough but we knew we were going to win so we played our hearts out to defend the trophy,” said Aliu Tamimu Farahaat, the most outstanding player in the finals.

In the first quarter of the game, the water tight defense of KNUST marshalled by Felix Darko left the Accra Polytechnic team in disarray.

Brahima Lawal, head coach of Accra Polytechnic and the national basketball team had no option but to call for time out frequently, in order to slow down the opponent's onslaught.

KNUST were bent on causing a major upset. The team from the Garden City known for their ‘Platoon Basketball’ strategy continued to put pressure on their more illustrious opponent who seemed perplexed.

The KNUST team were on fire throughout the first, second and third quarters.

 Led by their captain: Kwame Akrasi, Nana Agyei Owusu (Gravy) and Emmanuel Ekow Amoako (Clock) KNUST controlled the pace of the game with eye popping, ball juggling skills and accurate shooting that kept their supporters and the neutrals cheering for them.

At the end of the third quarter, the team from Tudu with five national team players on the court were trailing by 20 to 28 points.

However, the reintroduction of national team star Aliu Tamimu Farahaat in the fourth quarter was the game changer for the defending champions. For his lofty standards, Farahaat had a quite game in the first and second quarters.

“He (Farahaat) was getting frustrated so I left him out in the third quarter to calm him down and psyche him up for the fourth quarter,” said coach Lawal.

The KNUST team could not find the cure for the mesmerizing three point shots and well executed lay-ups from Farahaat.

Running out of breath and sensing defeat, KNUST resorted to individual play and three point shots that missed the basket.

It ended 55 to 40 in favour of the defending Champions.

“We gave it our all but poor visibility and the timing system (Running Clock and Stop Clock) affected us negatively,” said Reagan Sarpong, head coach of KNUST basketball team.