MANILA, Philippines — LA Tenorio welcomed the entry of new boy Joe Devance to Barangay Ginebra, whom the team acquired in the six-player, four-team trade that was approved last Monday by PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.
The 5-foot-9 Ginebra sentinel said Devance's vast know-how of the triangle offense can help the Gin Kings adapt quickly to the complicated system being employed by new coach Tim Cone.
"Siyempre mas mapapadali na ngayon kay coach Tim. Bukod din sa akin, alam na alam na ni Joe yung triangle," Tenorio told Philstar.com after the team's practice on Thursday at the CCF gym in Pasig.
Tenorio added he'll have little adjustment with Devance, having won a championship with the left-handed Fil-American forward during their time at Alaska.
Both Tenorio and Devance actually played under Cone, who handled Alaska from 1989-2011, helping the Aces win the 2010 Fiesta Conference.
"Alam ko na din paano siya (Devance) maglaro so ngayon, it's really up to us kung paano namin ipagsasama yung kaalaman namin sa triangle dito sa team," added the 31-year-old Ginebra playmaker.
Tenorio said other than serving as mentor to young big men Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, Devance can also cause mismatch on defense because of his ability to play multiple positions.
"Ang maganda kay Joe, he can play multiple positions. Nagawa na niya iyan while with Alaska and Purefoods," he said.
With less than three weeks left before the opening of the PBA's 41st season, Tenorio said the team is spending a lot of time absorbing the defensive philosophy of Cone.
"Now, we're more on working on defense. 'Yun Ang pinaka-mahirap na part pero si coach kasi, very specific siya pagdating sa defense," stressed the one-time PBA Best Player. "No. 1 Ang defense sa list niya."
Cone, the winningest coach in league history with 18 titles, hopes to bring his championship touch to a Ginebra side that last won a PBA crown in 2008.