Ginebra fans still waiting to see best of Forrester as bum stomach sidelines rookie

James Forrester says he was sad to let down a lot of Ginebra fans who braved the threat posed by super typhoon Yolanda to watch the Friday morning game at the Gatorade Hoops Center. Jerome Ascano

BARANGAY Ginebra fans are still waiting to see the best from James Forrester.

After failing to make an impression in his preseason debut against Rain or Shine, the No. 4 pick of the last PBA rookie draft out of Arellano missed the Gin King's outing against Air21 on Friday due to a bum stomach.

“I can’t play. I am down with food poisoning,” said the Ginebra rookie, who showed up for the game in street clothes and watched the Kings lose to the Air21 Express, 93-100.

Forrester reportedly feasted on Vietnamese noodles on the eve of the match.

“He didn’t sleep, he was waking up every two hours, and when he woke up this morning he puked,” said Forrester’s agent, Matthew Manotoc.

His other agent and adviser, Marvin Espiritu, said he has already warned his ward to watch what he eats.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, buti na lang tune-up game lang 'yan. Otherwise, nakakahiya kung actual game at hindi ka makakalaro,” said the son of veteran player agent Danny Espiritu.

Forrester said he was sad to let down a lot of Ginebra fans who braved the threat posed by super typhoon Yolanda to watch the Friday morning game at the Gatorade Hoops Center.

“I wanted to play. But I couldn’t, I am too weak,” Forrester said. “I’ll make it up on our next game.”

Forrester also had a forgettable tune-up debut with Ginebra last Wednesday, wherein he missed both his attempts from the field against the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

The high-flying Fil-Canadian guard is understandably under scrutiny from fans after Ginebra gave up big men Rico Maierhofer and Willy Wilson for the chance to pick in in the draft.

Still, Manotoc assured Forrester is bound to live up to fans' expectations.

“He just needs to learn the system. Give him some time and I am sure he won’t disappoint,” said Manotoc, who also handles the careers of Japeth Aguilar, Chris Lutz and Alex Cabagnot.