MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra forward Joe DeVance is picking Magnolia to make it to the PBA Governors’ Cup finals with the other slot up for grabs and he’s hoping to return to action in time for the Kings’ playoff push. DeVance underwent surgery to remove loose bone particles in both knees last October and is now doing rehab.
“I’ve won 11 championships so far, I need one more and I want to get to 12,” said DeVance. “Coach Tim (Cone) and I have great chemistry. Fans see how coach Tim and I are now but there were years that led up to where we’re at, years when he would cuss me to my face every day at practice. It took all of that to get to where we are with the love and respect for each other. I’ll never turn my back on coach Tim and I owe my career to him.” Cone won championships at Alaska, San Mig Coffee and Ginebra with DeVance by his side.
DeVance said Ginebra’s 117-94 loss to Magnolia in the Manila Clasico game last Christmas Day was no fluke. “They were prepared and we came in thinking we were better,” he said. “It was a reality check. I think if we played Magnolia 10 games, we’d win five and they’d win five. Outside of Justin (Brownlee), I think the best import in town is Mike Harris. I know he’s the oldest import at 38 but he’s got all that experience. Besides, I’m 39 and when I get back, I’ll be ready to play 38 minutes. This break is helping me buy time for my rehab. I’m fighting to get back, battling through pain, doing therapy, strengthening my quads. I’m hoping to get back to practice by the end of the month and I plan to play this conference.”
DeVance said defense will bring Ginebra back to the finals. “We’ve got to be better defensively,” he said. “Help side defense, ball screen defense. No excuses on defense. Our offense is a little different now and we’re slowly getting to where we want to be. I think we’ll be back to playing at the highest level when the playoffs begin. Take a guy like Arvin (Tolentino). He’s feeling more confident with more minutes because he’s focusing more on defense. In the past, he wasn’t thinking much of defense, he thought of himself as being just a scorer and shooter. I told him he’s got to be more than that. He could be our best two-way player if he has the right mindset. Grind every day, work harder on defense and it’ll happen.”