Former no.1 draft pick DeVance traded to Aces

MANILA, Philippines – To get to the contender level, Rain or Shine started making changes in its weakest facet: the backcourt. The team formerly known as Welcoat, the youngest team in the Philippine Basketball Association, traded away Joe DeVance to Alaska in exchange for rookie two-guard Solomon Mercado a day after the PBA Draft. Mercado, who was picked fifth by the Aces Sunday, is a burly, six-flat guard whose game has been described as resembling two-time MVP Willie Miller. Mercado is expected to join playmaker TY Tang in a reunion between the backcourt tandem that led Harbour Centre to two championships in the Philippine Basketball League. “We think we now have a more balanced roster," said Rain or Shine co-owner Terry Que. “We wish Joe good luck on his new team, but we have to do something about our backcourt." Big-man DeVance, the no.1 pick last year, will head to an Alaska team that has lacked an inside presence. “Mercado will be a great player without a doubt," said Cone. “We were lucky he slipped to us. But DeVance fills an immediate need for us at the ‘four’ [power forward] position." – GMANews.TV