1GP Queens yesterday defeated Sunshine Angels of Akure 48-39 in the ongoing second phase of the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League game in Asaba.
In another game, Kano-based Adolescent Health and Information Programme, (AHIP) Basketball Club defeated Nigeria Immigration 57-39.
Sunshine Angels’ Coach, Shola Aluko, who was angry with the quality offered by his wards, however said that hope was not lost yet as Akure team can still bounce back if they are able to beat Benue Princess today.
Sunshine Angels went into the fourth quarter trailing by one point (27-28), but the Angels inability to register a point in the first four minutes of the quarter contributed to the loss, which has adversely affected the team’s chance of making it to the final Eight in Lagos.
Aluko is sure that the situation is redeemable if his team can beat Benue Princess with more than seven points in today’s encounter. He also blamed the defeat on fatigue and anxiety on the part of his players.
“I will actually blame fatigue and anxiety for this latest defeat to IGP Queens. The girls struggled toward the end of the game and that accounted for missing many scoring chances. I think they also lost their cool instead of staying focused. We needed to beat the IGP Queens, but unfortunately they missed the opportunity. And we have to go back to the drawing board and perfect a strategy to beat Benue princess today.”
“We still have chance to correct our mistakes, beat Benue Princess and move a step closer to qualifying for the Final Eight. If we can win today’s game with more than seven points, we will do our aspiration a lot of good. We are in a tight corner, but we will fight our way out,” the coach added.
