Joe Devance to Alaska Aces
Monday, September 1, 2008
, Posted by dAVe at 6:36 PM
PBA teams are all business in boosting their line-ups for the new season of the PBA. After a blockbuster finals in the Fiesta Cup, teams are now more motivated to improve their respective squads knowing that the fans are back in the PBA.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is the first to make noise after Draft Day. Sophamore and 2007-2008 no. 1 draft pick Joe Calvin Devance was dealt to Alaska for rookie guard Solomon Mercado and veteran Eddie Laure. The Aces also grabs the 2009 2nd round draft rights of the Elasto Painters. The 5th overall pick in this year's draft, Solomon Mercado strengthens the backcourt of Rain or Shine. However, with the exit of Devance, the team has a very slim frontline. Eddie Laure tries to play big throughout his career but he's a thin 6'3" forward.
Obviously Rain or Shine wanted backcourt stability with this trade and the acquisition of spitfire guard TY Tang and of course 1st overall pick, Gabe Norwood. I expect the team to get 2-3 players in the free agency market. They certainly need an added body to help Jay-R Reyes in the middle.
My shot: I was surprised upon knowing this trade or make that upon knowing that Rain or Shine got Mercado and veteran Laure. I expected Devance to be in the block this off-season simply because he failed to gel with the Welcoat squad. Yes, he provides points but it was very obvious that he was not in the thick of things with the team. He seemed like a stranger to the team, so to speak. Lastly, he is the only bait Rain or Shine has. However, I thought the team could have fished for bigger names than Mercado and Laure. Well, this trade can only be spelled when the season begins. If Mercado is as good as advertised and Laure is able to play quality minutes, then this is Rain or Shine's first clever trade.
Here's the dumb trade: This trade brings back my dismay to the Belasco-Isip trade. Welcoat shipped reliable veteran Nic Belasco despite his exceptional performance (led Welcoat and the league in rebounding) for young, soft forward Marc Isip. All for the reason of wanting to surround Jay-R Reyes with young blood. And now, they're happy with Eddie Laure-
On the flip-side, nothing much to say for Alaska. It's all gain for them. With Tenorio and rookie dela Pena, they didn't really need Mercado. Tim Cone however admits that it was an agonizing decision because he believes in Mercado saying he'll be a great player down the line. Laure on the other hand is a bench mob. With the entry of Joe Devance, they have a reliable offensive weapon in the forward positions (3-4). Plus, Joe can run. I'm sure he's a fit in Tim Cone's triangle offense because he has the shooting hands. 6'9" Eric Canlas is also reported to suit up for Alaska this season. The Aces are all business in boosting it's frontline.
Tenorio-Miller-Dela Cruz-Devance-Thoss looks good to me. *wink!
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters is the first to make noise after Draft Day. Sophamore and 2007-2008 no. 1 draft pick Joe Calvin Devance was dealt to Alaska for rookie guard Solomon Mercado and veteran Eddie Laure. The Aces also grabs the 2009 2nd round draft rights of the Elasto Painters. The 5th overall pick in this year's draft, Solomon Mercado strengthens the backcourt of Rain or Shine. However, with the exit of Devance, the team has a very slim frontline. Eddie Laure tries to play big throughout his career but he's a thin 6'3" forward.
Obviously Rain or Shine wanted backcourt stability with this trade and the acquisition of spitfire guard TY Tang and of course 1st overall pick, Gabe Norwood. I expect the team to get 2-3 players in the free agency market. They certainly need an added body to help Jay-R Reyes in the middle.
My shot: I was surprised upon knowing this trade or make that upon knowing that Rain or Shine got Mercado and veteran Laure. I expected Devance to be in the block this off-season simply because he failed to gel with the Welcoat squad. Yes, he provides points but it was very obvious that he was not in the thick of things with the team. He seemed like a stranger to the team, so to speak. Lastly, he is the only bait Rain or Shine has. However, I thought the team could have fished for bigger names than Mercado and Laure. Well, this trade can only be spelled when the season begins. If Mercado is as good as advertised and Laure is able to play quality minutes, then this is Rain or Shine's first clever trade.
Here's the dumb trade: This trade brings back my dismay to the Belasco-Isip trade. Welcoat shipped reliable veteran Nic Belasco despite his exceptional performance (led Welcoat and the league in rebounding) for young, soft forward Marc Isip. All for the reason of wanting to surround Jay-R Reyes with young blood. And now, they're happy with Eddie Laure-
On the flip-side, nothing much to say for Alaska. It's all gain for them. With Tenorio and rookie dela Pena, they didn't really need Mercado. Tim Cone however admits that it was an agonizing decision because he believes in Mercado saying he'll be a great player down the line. Laure on the other hand is a bench mob. With the entry of Joe Devance, they have a reliable offensive weapon in the forward positions (3-4). Plus, Joe can run. I'm sure he's a fit in Tim Cone's triangle offense because he has the shooting hands. 6'9" Eric Canlas is also reported to suit up for Alaska this season. The Aces are all business in boosting it's frontline.
Tenorio-Miller-Dela Cruz-Devance-Thoss looks good to me. *wink!
This is definitely one of the biggest mistake Alaska Aces ever made. Sol Mercado is going to be BIG in the next couple of years.
I agree.. Devance is so overrated. I bet they are scratching their heads right know.