SLAMDUNKING import LeRoy Hickerson won't be able to bring his high-wire act for the Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference.

Hickerson, the 6'6" two-time slamdunk champion in the Mexican League, injured his elbow in a car accident recently. The injury he suffered will need an operation, thus forcing Air21 management to replace him.

Air21 team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez told Standard Today that they have already identified the replacement import – former Brigham Young University stalwart Keena Young.

"Sayang si LeRoy Hikckerson, sa palagay ko siya ‘yung pinaka-impressive ang credentials among imports," Alvarez said in a telephone interview. "While he was on his way to Kentucky, nagkaroon ng kaunting kasiyahan dahil birthday ng girlfriend niya. Then he got involved in a vehicular accident. His elbow needs operation so we have no choice but to find somebody else."

Hickerson played against come-backing Coca-Cola import James Penny. In 41 games last year, Hickerson averaged 19.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game for the Halcones UV Xalapa.

Young was a former high school teammate of Kendrick Perkins of the Boston Celtics. In the US NCAA, he led the BYU Cougars to a championship in the BYU Holiday Classic, where he averaged 17.4 points, 6.6 rebounds.

Young also had stints in the Belgian League and the Korean Basketball League, where he played for Mobis Phoebus.

"Papadala na namin ‘yung offer sheet for him to sign it. I think after two days, okay na kami with him," said Alvarez.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios will ask the league's superstars to participate in a contest based on their specialties in the coming All-Star Game in Puerto Princesa City.

This will assure fans that they will be in for a treat in the games featuring the best and the brightest stars in the league today.

"We will see if we can make some twist in the All-Stars. We want the stars to play based on what they do best and hindi ‘yung basta pasak na lang ng pasak sa mga events lined up," said Barrios.

"For example, we can have the best dunkers competing against each other and the best three-point shooters going at it during the festivities," he added. - www.manilastandardtoday.com

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association commissioner Sonny Barrios has read reports regarding Air21's plan to appeal the case of disgruntled guard Wynne Arboleda, who was banned by the league for a season for mauling a fan.

Barrios would rather wait for the documents before making any move.

"I cannot give my opinion regarding the matter because we haven't received any letter from Air21. I don't know what the content of the letter is or whether the letter deserves any merit of reconsideration," Barrios told Standard Today in a telephone interview.

Air21 team manager and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez said Monday that the Express will request for Commissioner Barrios to reconsider his decision of banning the troubled cager, who mauled a heckling fan Alain Katigbak and was suspended without pay. Katigbak refused a settlement from Aroboleda and charged him with a lawsuit.

A member of the PBA board, who requested anonymity, said that Arboleda and Katigbak's settlement would be the key for the cager's possible early reinstatement into the league.

"Baka kasi mapasama pa si Commissioner kung sakaling umaksyon agad siya sa appeal and i-reinstate agad si Arboleda," said the board member. "If ever magkaayos sina Arboleda and Katigbak, at least mayroong magandang dahilan si Commissioner to reinstate Arboleda." - www.manilastandardtoday.com

Since they are scheduled to play on April 4, Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio is not in a hurry of getting their import for the PBA Fiesta Cup which starts on March 21.

Gregorio, however, said they have already few prospects, including high-leaper Lorrenzo Wade, a 6-foot-6 lefty whom he described as "highly-athletic, skillful, good perimeter shooter and incredible dunker."

"I'm waiting for approval from management to jumpstart our negotiations," Gregorio said.

The team, according to Gregorio, has yet to resume training since sweeping Alaska Milk in their best-of-seven title series in the Philippine Cup last week.

The championship was the eight overall title and first for Purefoods since winning the same Philippine Cup championship in 2006. It was also the Giants' fifth title in an all-Filipino conference, a feat that enabled them to tie the record of the fabled Crispa squad.

Gregorio said they will start training again on March 22 as some of their players are still trying to recover from various injuries as they played a total of 33 games – the most by any team in the conference.

"Some of my players played hurt in our championship run. Now is the time to rest their banged up bodies to prepare for the next conference. In addition, the mind was stretched, so, this is the great time for us to quiet down. Heal the body and relax the mind," he said.

He cited the case of Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP James Yap who is recuperating from back pain. Other players with injuries are Kerby Raymundo (knee), Rico Maierhofer (ankle), and PJ Simon (ankle).

In the coming import-flavored tournament, Purefoods hopes to become the first team to win the two conferences in a single season.

Since the PBA adopted the two-conference format in 2004, no team has won two titles in one season. Baralko Bull was close to doing that in 2005-06 when it won the Fiesta Cup against Purefoods, but lost to the same team, 4-2, in the Philippine Cup. - www.mb.com.ph