Forrester fires 21 as Chiefs advance in FilOil Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Arellano U continued its impressive showing as it overpowered Jose Rizal, 83-67, to barge into the quarterfinals of the Filoil Flying V Hanes Premier Cup at The Arena in San Juan City on Saturday.

University of the East pounced on La Salle's late turnovers as it eked out a 60-53 win to likewise advance to the playoff round with a 6-2 mark.

La Salle fell to No. 3 with a 5-1 record in Group B that is currently being led by UAAP titlist Ateneo (6-1).

Fil-Canadian James Forrester led the attack by firing a game-high 21 points highlighted by going 10-of-11 from the foul line while John Pinto did the rest by coming through with 16 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals to power the Chiefs to the quarters.

Arellano also found an unlikely hero in Gio Jalalon, who made a big impression by finishing with 10 points, a game-best five steals and the same number of rebounds and assists plus a block that helped it finish the elimination round at second in Group A with a 6-2 (win-loss) record behind National U (8-0).

"The good thing in this win is that we found some gems from our bench that we hope to utilize come the NCAA season," said Arellano coach Koy Banal.

The lopsided win came just a few days after Arellano U pulled off a shock 67-66 triumph over reigning three-peat NCAA champion San Beda in a victory that underscores its strong bid in the coming Season 89 cage wars.

The Lions bounced back from that stinging defeat by turning back a stubborn Perpetual Help, 82-75, to jump to joint third spot with Adamson on 4-2 slates in Group B.

Sophomore Francis Abarcar led the team with 22 points, Baser Amer had 15 points, 10 caroms and five assists while Nigerian behemoth Ola Adeogun bounced back from a poor effort the last time out by bullying his way to 13 points and 11 boards.

San Beda though toyed with another potential loss after trailing the Las Pinas-based school, 53-59, no thanks to a buzzer-beating triple by Nigerian import Nosa Omorogbe at the end of the third period.
Then the troika of Abarcar, Amer and Adeogun willed the Lions back to staved off a second straight loss.