Devance banking on familiarity with Cone in his move to Ginebra
Joe Devance (38) goes for a one-hander against Meralco’s Jared Dillinger. INQUIRER PHOTO
From Alaska to Purefoods, the partnership of Tim Cone and Joe Devance has brought championships where ever it goes.
And the two are hoping to bring their winning culture to Barangay Ginebra, a franchise which is still searching for its first PBA title since winning the Fiesta Conference in 2008.
Devance knows that he and his longtime mentor are in for a different challenge with their new team. And before anybody gets too excited about the new-look Kings, the veteran forward tempered expectations and echoed what Cone has been harping since his transfer to Ginebra.
“The ultimate goal is to always win the championship, but the bigger picture is really getting better everyday,” said Devance, who was traded to Ginebra last week as part of a four-team deal. “I think what’s harder is to come daily and get better everyday – that’s the toughest goal. Once we get our mind set, we’ll be in a much better place.”
“It’s not the pressure to win, but the pressure to get better everyday. If we get better everyday, the outcome will take care of itself. We’ll be there in the end if we just continue with the process, enjoy it, work hard, play together, and get everybody better.”
Ginebra definitely got better with the addition of Devance, who fits in perfectly with Cone and his patented Triangle offense.
“It’s just the familiarity. I’ve been with him for eight years now so I know his system more than anybody in the league. I’m just thankful to play my whole career under him,” he said.
It wasn’t easy for Devance to leave a team like Purefoods, where he won a Grand Slam under Cone, but he finds comfort in the fact that he reunited with the winningest PBA coach ever and joined the most loved team in the league.
“I think Purefoods fans are going to get mad at me, but Ginebra is the most popular team in the league and it’s a pleasure to be on this team,” Devance said.
“I’m just going to play hard and do my part to do whatever it takes to win and hopefully, the fans will be proud of us.”
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