Fr. Martin Cup: Arellano U advances; Lyceum, FEU earn wins

The Arellano University Chiefs pummeled the Angeles University Foundation Great Danes, 77-66, to advance into the quarterfinals in the 8th Fr. Martin Collegiate Open Cup basketball tournament at the San Beda College Gym. The new-look Chiefs, bolstered by several Filipino-American recruits and new head coach Koy Banal, snatched their fourth win in five outings behind James Forester's 13 points. With the victory, the Chiefs joined early Group A and B quarterfinalists National University (6-0), University of the East (5-0) and Letran (5-0). In the other games, the Lyceum of the Philippines University improved to 3-2 in Group A by tripping hard-luck Mapua Institute of Technology 79-71, behind playmaker Shane Ko's 18 markers. Just like the Pirates, Far Eastern University (3-2) also improved their chances of making it to the quarterfinals in Group B, courtesy of a dominant performance against De La Salle-Lipa, 112-56. Former DLSU Green Archer Arvie Bringas banged in 25 points for FEU. Bringas is expected to provide some frontcourt muscle with the graduation of mainstay Aldrech Ramos, who used up his eligibility years. In the first game, the STI College Olympians ambushed the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals 82-76, for their first win in five outings in Group B. The rebuilding EAC fell to 2-4, though they still have an outside chance of making it to the post-season. — AD/JVP, GMA News