Fil-Canadian sparkles as Chiefs stun Knights

Manila, Philippines -  Arellano U drew strength from Fil-Canadian James Forrester’s breakout game as it eked out a stunning 77-67 victory over Letran in a heated, flagrant foul-filled contest in the 88th NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Forrester, playing only his second game after missing out his team’s first two games in attending his brother’s wedding in Toronto, Canada, fired 18 points, including four booming triples that helped the Chiefs nail their first win after three straight losses.

Lyceum likewise barged into the win-column in nipping Emilio Aguinaldo College, 83-81, on crucial charities by Mark Francisco later in the night.

The Pirates chalked up a first win in four starts while dealing the Generals a second loss against a lone victory.

“Coach (Koy Banal) treated us to a dinner and we watched ‘Men of Honor’ and I guess it got into me and the rest of the team,” said the 22-year-old Forrester, who played high school ball for St. Therese of Lisiuseux in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto and whose Filipina mother Letecia hails from Urdaneta, Pangasinan.

The Knights fell to their second straight defeat after opening the season with an 80-74 win over the San Sebastian Stags. Their loss to the Chiefs was hastened by the ejection of two of their big men and the absence of another one.

Jam Cortes was tossed out early in the second quarter for a flagrant foul penalty two, which merited an automatic ejection, then Jonathan Belorio joined him in the exits after incurring a second flagrant foul penalty one early in the third.

The two will automatically be suspended for at least a game, according to league commissioner Joe Lipa.

“Yes, it’s an automatic suspension,” Lipa told The STAR.

The Muralla-based dribblers were also missing the service of 6-6 Raymond Almazan, who was out reportedly due to a fever.

Banal claimed wearing a tie in a collegiate game for the first time after a long while was also helpful.

“After three straight losses, I just want my players and myself to feel good by wearing this tie, and I’m happy that it helped,” said Banal, who went straight to the MOA Arena after the match to attend to his duties as assistant coach for B-Meg which was scheduled to play Talk N’ Text in the PBA.

The Chiefs nearly blew it as Kevin Alas willed the Knights from double-digit deficits by cutting their deficit down to 64-66 with a little over three minutes remaining.

But Arellano tightened up its defense while scoring 11 points from there including one booming triple from the left baseline by the sweet-shooting Forrester.

Despite the tight calls, Louie Alas said the referees called it fair and square.

“They called it consistent, that’s all I can say,” said Alas.

In junior action, Emilio Aguinaldo dumped Lyceum, 119-54, to post its first win in three starts while sending the latter to its fourth setback in row.

Alejandro Piopongco led his team with 18 points while Renmar Redido, Matt Tiano and Carl Cabral contributed 16, 13 and 10 points, respectively, to help seal it for the Brigadiers.

The scores:

First Game (srs)

Arellano U 77 – Forrester 18, Bangga 13, Cadavis 11, Pinto 10, Acidre 9, Zulueta 7, Caperal 5, Valera 2, Salcedo 2, Hernandez 0.

Letran 67 – Ke. Alas 22, Racal 15, Cruz 12, Kr. Alas 8, Belorio 5, Lituania 2, Cortes 2, Cudal 1, Olotu 0, Luib 0, Pantin 0.

Quarterscores: 21-17; 39-28; 60-51; 77-67

Second Game (srs)

Lyceum 83 – Guevarra 22, Cayabyab 19, Ko 10, Zamora 8, Laude 8, Edding 4, Azores 4, Mendoza 2, Garcia 2, Ambohot 2, Francisco 2, Martinez 0, Mallari 0.

EAC 81 – Happi 26, Jamon 14, Yaya 11, Tayongtong 10, Munsayac 7, Chiong 5, Paguia 4, King 4, Monteclaro 0, Morada 0, Sanchez 0.

Quarterscores: 20-17; 47-45; 66-65; 83-81