Barangay Ginebra hopes that Cris Alexander will finally end its woes when the winless Kings try to barge into the win column when they tackle the struggling Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the main game of the 33rd PBA Fiesta Cup today at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra is the only winless squad in the current conference, hugging the cellar with a dismal 0-5 (win-loss) slate.

Those string of defeats prompted the Kings to bring in Alexander—the team's third import this conference after Rashon Turner and Ernest Brown.
Brown was also sent home, paving the way for the entry of Alexander—a seven-foot-one and 260-pound banger.

The 27-year-old Alexander is a product of Iowa State and averaged 11.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in his 40-game stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce in the National Basketball Development League (NBDL).

Alexander is the tallest import in the conference followed by the seven-foot Adam Parada of the Red Bull Barakos.

Although he is the most explosive import in the tournament, Darius Rice is reportedly on the way out as the Giants are contemplating to replace him.

A Purefoods insider said the team is bent on replacing Rice since he does not fit well with the Giants' system.

Purefoods, which sports a 2-3 slate, is targeting Chris Burgess, a former import of the San Miguel Beermen (now Magnolia Beverage Masters).
The Giants have lost their last two games despite the heavy scoring of Rice.

In the first game, the defending champions Alaska Aces try to overcome the absence of their import when they face the Air21 Express.
Randy Holcomb was fined and suspended for one game after committing a flagrant foul against Rich Alvarez in the Aces' 97-100 overtime loss to the Red Bull Barakos last April 19.

Holcomb whacked a driving Alvarez in the face, sending the latter to the floor with a broken and bloody nose. The Express and the Aces both have 2-3 slates.