BACOLOD CITY – Barangay Ginebra’s new import — Chris Alexander — will arrive today in time for its game against sister team Purefoods on Friday in the Smart-PBA Fiesta Cup.

The 7-foot-1, 260-pounder will be the Gin Kings’ third import in the tournament after deciding to replace 7-foot Ernest Brown, who failed to impress the team’s coaching staff.

Alexander, a 27-year old product of Iowa State averaged in double figures on points and rebounds in 40 games while playing for the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) in the United States.

Brown, who replaced the ineffective Rashon Turner, played for the Gin Kings in three games, averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite his efforts, the Gin Kings remain the only team without a win as they also lost twice during the time of Turner.

Though Alexander has an impressive resume, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico refused to say whether their new import is the right man for them.

“He’s tall and his credentials are impressive. But we can’t really tell. We’ll see (on the game),” Uichico said.

The Kings are one defeat from going down to their worst start in eight years. There 0-5 win-loss card matched their start during the 2000 Commissioner’s Cup.

Alexander will be the third import with a height of at least 7 feet to step onto the PBA this conference.

Red Bull’s 7-footer Adam Parada turned out to be a prized catch, leading the Bulls to a 4-1 slate. The Bulls can even take the solo lead if they win over league leader Coca-Cola once the tournament resumes on Wednesday.

In Alexander, the Kings will acquire an all-around player with a superb touch from the free-throw line. In his last stint in the US, he powered the Sioux Falls Skyforce to the semifinals in the NBDL averaging 11.6 points and 11.2 rebounds in 40 games.

Like the Kings, the Giants, according to a source, are contemplating of replacing their explosive import in Darius Rice.

Rice is the No. 1 scorer in the tournament with 33.2 points per game, but his individualistic style of play is giving the coaching staff a big headache.

The Giants have only two wins to show in five games.

The same source said that one of the players Purefoods is trying to acquire is former San Miguel Beer reinforcement Chris Burgess.

Burgess played for Magnolia (formerly San Miguel) four years ago during the same conference. He normed 17 points and 17 rebounds until he was replaced after suffering from a serious ankle inury.

He was replaced by Adrian Curtis but San Miguel still went on to beat Red Bull in the semis and won the championship in only five games opposite Talk ‘N Text.

Also planning to replace its import is Alaska Milk.

Randy Holcomb, Alaska’s import, was fined for P20,000 and suspended for one game for his flagrant foul committed on Red Bull’s Rich Alvarez.