THE Philippines is virtually basketball heaven for many foreign imports. Just look at how these reinforcement openly gush about loving their stay in the country and their stint in the Philippine Basketball Association.
It’s no surprise then that former Alaska Aces and Air21 import Jason Forte has for years been openly lobbying to return to the country to again play as a PBA reinforcement.
His prayers were answered a few days ago when the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters, desperate to stay in the race for a berth in the eight-team race to the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, brought him back to replace ill-fitting import Dior Lowhorn.
“Heavenly Father, there’s nothing more I can say to you than Thank You for opening up that door! You knew I wanted to walk through it again and you did it at your own pace, not mine so I know it will be blessed,” said a grateful Forte in his Facebook account shortly after it was announced he will return to the Philippines as the reinforcement of the Elasto Painters.
He was hardly a factor in his first game against the Mahindra Enforcer. Luckily, reigning PBA Commissioner’s Cup champion Rain Or Shine hardly needed his contribution as it beat the Mahindra Enforcer, 103-88, in the 2016 PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Friday, September 2.
Forte tallied 10 points, grabbed six rebounds, had one block and one assist in less than seventeen minutes of burn off the bench. Worse, he missed seven of eight free throws prompting Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao to speculate that the 32-year-old was a victim of jet lag.
“I’m guessing the free-throw misses was just the jetlag. But on Sunday, there should be no excuses,” Guiao said.
The Elasto Painters mentor explained that many games will be decided by three or four points at the most. These are the free throws that are missed or made. With the adjusted PBA rules on physical play and hand-checking Guiao noted that there will be plenty of free throws to go around. Forte will need to consistently make those free throws.
Forte attributed the missed free throws to first-game jitters. He said he was not physically tired. But confessed that he may have been emotionally and mentally exhausted because of the events of the past few days.
He was grateful that they tallied the win just the same and added that he was confident to do better in their next games.
There’s no question Forte’s prayers of again playing in the PBA were answered when he got the call to play for Rain Or Shine.
The question is whether his arrival will be the answer to the prayers of the Elasto Painters to successfully win the PBA Governors’ Cup crown.