A letter from International Basketball Federation (FIBA) signed by secretary general Patrick Baumann has cleared Air21 import Alpha Bangura to play for the Express’ in its game against the Meralco Bolts on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud confirmed this development to GMA News on Monday.
“I was told by our technical staff that a letter from FIBA has already reached our office," said Salud in a telephone interview.
Bangura was given 15 days by the PBA to get a clearance either from the Lebanese Basketball League or the FIBA to continuously play in Asia’s first professional cage league.
A source from the Express camp said it was Baumann who signed the FIBA letter clearing the former Libyan national team member to play in the Express' next assignment.
“The 15-day grace period already lapsed last Thursday, but since we don’t have a game yet, we need to comply with the ruling a day before our next game. He (Bangura) wasn’t able to secure clearance from Lebanon, so the next best alternative was to get it from FIBA. We were able to obtain one signed by secretary general Patrick Baumann," said the source, who requested anonymity.
The Express are coming off a morale-boosting 94-92 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on March 20. It gave newly-acquired players Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Paul Artadi and Dorian Peña, who were acquired in a blockbuster seven-player trade, their first victory as members of the Air21 squad.
Rey Joble, GMA News TV
