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Former Air Asia Philippine Patriots import Chris Alexander has been banned from playing in the ASEAN Basketball League, according to a statement posted in its official website, and could face stiffer sanctions from FIBA Asia for leaving his team without due notice from management.
The league said that it will be “blacklisting” the seven-foot Alexander and will report the incident to FIBA Asia.
“As his actions were deemed unprofessional, the ABL will be blacklisting Chris Alexander, who will no longer be allowed to participate in any of the league’s games. The ABL will also be bringing up the matter to FIBA Asia, which could result in further action against Alexander,” the league said in a statement.
The league has also gave the green light for Nakiea Miller to once again play for the Patriots, following an appeal by the team, starting in their match against the Saigon Heat on Wednesday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.
According to official documentation by the Patriots, Alexander left the team without giving prior notice to management last April 19 which left the team with no choice but to play with only one import in Anthony Johnson against the Indonesia Warriors last Saturday.
The Patriots lost the game, 104-79, in their worst defeat at home in franchise history.
Because Alexander’s departure was deemed unforeseen by the league and was not because of injury or suspension, the ABL board decided to allow the Patriots to rehire Miller despite a league rule that disallows teams to make changes in their line-up after 16 games.
Alexander, who was replaced by Jackson Vroman as reinforcement for the Barangay Ginebra Kings during the eliminations of the PBA Commissioners’ Cup, played for the Patriots against the San Miguel Beermen last April 14 but suddenly left the country last week.
In his Twitter account, Alexander denied abandoning the Patriots saying that he informed his agent Sheryl Reyes and the assistant team manager of the team that he had to leave to attend a court case.
“I talked with my agent and as well as left half my stuff there to come home to attend some court stuff in which I have papers for. I also sent the [Patriots'] assistant GM a text and message on Facebook that I was going to attend court cases which I was gonna return next week,” wrote Alexander at that time.
Source: Art Requiron, InterAKTV
