Aces roar past Tigers

CEBU, Philippines -   Joe Devance came up with a near flawless offensive show in the third quarter as the Alaska Aces roared past the Powerade Tigers, 92-81, at the start of the Cebu City Mayor's Cup Basketball Invitational yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

 (Cebu Coliseum)

 5 pm Alaska vs. Meralco

 7 pm M. Lhuillier vs. Powerade

The 6-foot-7 Devance torched 18 points, including 11 straight in a sizzling third period explosion that set the motion for a daring Alaska comeback.

The Tigers, who paraded import Titus Ivory for most of the game, bucked off a sluggish start, translating an eight-point deficit into a nine-point advantage, 56-47, on a 3-pointer by Gary David with three minutes before halftime.

After narrowing the gap to four at halftime, 52-56, Devance suddenly caught fire as he knocked in three successive triples and later a short jumper to push Alaska ahead, 60-59. Ivory briefly snatched the lead back for Powerade, 61-60,but Alaska responded with a 6-2 run to post a 66-63 edge heading into the payoff period canto.

The Aces then frolicked on Powerade's predictable zone defense, erratic plays and poor outside shooting in the final quarter to launch a searing 17-4 outburst that earned them their biggest last at 17 points, 83-67, with still 6:27 left to play.

The Tigers couldn't pull even within just a single digit from there onwards.

 Alaska import Eddie Basden, who played with limited minutes after scoring eight in the first period where they took a 23-22 edge, finished with 14 points. Reynel Hignatan chipped in 12 markers for the Aces followed by Mark Borboran with 11.

Ivory topped Powerade with 25 points. He showed a lot of promise in outside sniping but his weak side was exposed after picking up four fouls with still seven minutes left in the third period.

 David was the only other bright spot for Powerade with 23 points.

The scores

Alaska (92) - Devance 18, Basden 14, Hugnatan 12, Borboran 11, Custodio 8, De la Cruz 7, Tenorio 6, Baguio 4, Thoss 4,Cablay 1, Sotto 1

 Powerade (81) - Ivory 25, David 23, Ritualo 5,Rizada 4, R. Reyes 4, Calimag 4, Lanete 4, Macapagal 4, Reyes 3

Quarterscores:23-22, 52-56, 66-63, 92-81 (FREEMAN)