FedEx import struggles in tune-up

Alvin Jefferson may pack his bags even without strutting his stuff in an actual game in the PBA Fiesta Cup if he doesn’t shape up in the next few days.

Jefferson’s fate is now in the balance as he has yet to showcase what’s expected of him in practice and in tune-up games. FedEx suffered stinging losses to Purefoods, Barangay Ginebra, Coca-Cola, Talk n Text and merely forced a draw with Red Bull Barako.

FedEx coach Boni Garcia said he was to give Jefferson his last chance to show his worth in their tune-up game with Alaska Milk yesterday.

Garcia said they’re now considering another import abroad although they have already entertained a "walk-in" aspirant in former Providence stalwart Troy Brown.

"He has the moves but his about two inches shorter than Jefferson," said Garcia of Brown who joined the team’s practice Friday at the San Juan Gym.

If ever, Jefferson would become the third import sacked in the conference without playing a single game.

Jarmaine Walker and Bingo Merriex failed to even hit town with their supposed job at Barangay Ginebra taken over by Rossell Ellis at least for the meantime. Former Washington Wizard Tyrone Nesby is to replace Ellis later on.

Brown arrived in the country armed with good credentials from the US NCAA, the CBA and in various tournaments abroad.

After finishing his stint with Providence College with a career average of 12 points and 8.8 rebounds, Brown, who is listed 6-foot-8, was picked 45th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1995 NBA draft.

He made it to the CBA All-Star game while with the Connecticut Pride in 1998 before bringing his act overseas, seeing action in France, Japan, Germany and Argentina among other countries.

He normed 10.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in his tour of duty with the Sunchales ball club in the 2003 ABL Argentina first division league.