Basketball Update Alaska Aces
New Alaska player Devance leads team to PBA preseason win
Joe Devance scored 15 points for his new team Alaska and Rain or Shine’s highly touted new recruits struggled in Alaska’s 90-77 win Wednesday in the Philippine Basketball Association preseason tournament at the Lyceum Gym.
Devance, the top pick in the 2007 draft who groped for form in his rookie season, was said to be comfortable with the Aces. He was acquired from Welcoat via draft-day trade.
Rain or Shine started strong and kept the game close in the first half, but a 10-0 run by Alaska to start the third quarter put the Aces ahead 56-44 and stayed in front the rest of the way.
Two-time league MVP Willie Miller had 14 points, while big-man Sonny Thoss added 12.
Gabe Norwood, the first overall choice in the 2008 draft, finished with 13 points for Rain or Shine but was hardly a factor. Eddie Laure led the Elasto Painters with 15.
