PBA: Bangura to replace Smith as Air21 import

Another import is about to be sent home with the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup set to open in less than a week. Jajuan Smith, Air21’s reinforcement, is expected to get his pink slip anytime soon as a new import will take his place in two or three days. Alpha Bangura, a veteran player who suited up for Libya’s national team in the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship, is likely to be tapped as the import replacement of Smith, according to Express team manager Allan Gregorio. “We’ve found out that Jajuan Smith is a one-dimensional type of player. We want an import who will serve more as a leader of our young team. Jajuan is still young as well, so he is not the type of import that we need," Gregorio told GMA News. The 26-year-old guard from University of Tennessee failed to impress his squad in some of his team’s tune-up matches, forcing management to look for a replacement. Smith will be the latest import who will be sent packing. Titus Ivory, Powerade’s first import choice, was replaced by Russel Carter. Eddie Basden, an NBA veteran, was the second import to be sent home after he exceeded the 6-foot-4 height-limit requirement, forcing the Alaska Aces to tap slam dunking LD Williams. Gregorio said Bangura, whom he had seen play in Dubai, is likely to arrive Tuesday. “We’ve seen him play in Dubai as our team, Pilipinas-Smart Gilas, was able to play against his team," said Gregorio. “He’s a leader type. He’s listed 6-foot-3 ½ and an all-around player and he is the kind of player that we need." Bangura was a teammate of former Talk N Text import Tiras Wade in the Lebanese League early this year. He averaged 22 points and 6.8 rebounds while playing for Anibal. Now known as Alpath Belgasem as he is a naturalized player of the Libyan national team, the 31-year-old guard played in several countries like Portugal, Israel, Spain, Japan, Puerto Rico, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Venezuela. In the United States, he played in the USBL and the CBA. - Rey Joble, GMA News