Fil-Am traces roots to Negros clan

LOS ANGELES — Her name is Mae Sanz; not Mae Maesanz, as was written in this column last week. And yes, according to the mother of Joe Devance, one of the Filipino American players being eyed by Coach Chot Reyes for possible recruitment to the Philippine national basketball team, "Sanz" is a Filipino name.

"The controversy only comes from the ‘Fil-shams.’ So I make it a point to meet the parents as well," said Reyes in a short interview during the tryouts he held in Los Angeles to scout Fil-Am talents. That’s where we met Devance’s Filipina mother.

The 52-year-old morena beauty was born to Coromba Benigno of Toboso, Negros Occidental and Benjamin Robles Sanz of Escalante, Negros Occidental in 1953. According to her, her great-grandfather who was originally from Spain went to the Philippines and married a Filipina in Escalante. From this marriage came Lolo Evaristo Sanz, her grandfather.

"There are six of them. Let me think first ‘cause I don’t want to miss anybody," Sanz said of her lolo’s and lola’s in the Philippines. "Lola Inday, Lola Tani, Lola Isabel, Lola Ising and Lolo Fermin."

Sanz added that most of the clan settled in Bacolod. She, however, migrated to the United States on Dec. 26, 1975 after being petitioned by her first husband. She lived in Hawaii for 11 years. And it was during this time that her only son, Devance, whom she calls "Jay," was born.

"He’s excited. He wants to play there," Sanz said, referring to the 6-7, 230-pound forward from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) who’s also aspiring to play for the national team, and hopefully, in the PBA.

Mother and son stay up late watching reruns of the PBA and the PBL on The Filipino Channel. That’s why both are familiar with the Philippine basketball scene and the Pinoy brand of play.

"My favorite team is probably Alaska because my agent’s son plays there," Devance said, referring to Ace forward Don Allado, son of agent Loy Allado who’s representing Devance.

Sanz said she also likes James Yap of Purefoods TJ Hotdogs.

"My cousins told me about him. His father and uncles were friends with my late brother," she explained. Her twin brother passed away in 1992 due to a heart attack. Since then, she hasn’t gone back to the Philippines. And what makes her next trip even more special is the fact that she will be able to tag along her only son.

If things go as planned, Sanz and Devance will take off from LA to see his mother’s birth country. They will be accompanied by Allado. It will be the first time that Devance will visit the Philippines.

"I’m looking forward to it. But I can’t stay. I have to come back by January next year to finish my college degree," said Devance who’s a few units away from earning a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. If he’s not able to score a good career in basketball, Devance said he’ll want a career as a US Marshal or a Federal Agent (FBI, CIA) or a detective.

Right now, he’s working part-time as a detention officer in the Juvenile Probation Department in El Paso. His 18-year-old half-sister, Sanz’ daughter, is preparing to enter the military.

"Once she gets in, my husband and I will go with ‘Jay" to the Philippines," Sanz said.

Sanz added that Devance probably got his basketball genes from her side of the family. According to her, her father’s first cousins, Mario Ballesteros and Fermin Sanz, Jr. also played a lot of basketball during their youth.

Devance didn’t start playing ball until he was 14. His earliest influence was his stepfather, Ronald Boden. He said he only started to develop serious interest in the game during his freshman year in high school. At Burges High School on El Paso, his coach continued to inspire him.

During his last season at UTEP, Devance logged a total of 27 minutes in 13 games, scoring seven points, two blocks, one steal and five rebounds. If he had his way, he’d still be playing to improve his numbers; but he has reached the maximum eligibility of playing years, which is four.

For Philippine basketball, two assets that Devance is capitalizing on are his size and his passion for the sport every Filipino loves.

"I love playing. Basketball keeps you in shape; keeps you motivated; and makes you have goals in life," he said.

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