For coach Tim Cone, Joe Devance isn’t going anywhere
This comes after Devance was relegated by Barangay Ginebra into the unrestricted free agent list last week, sparking interest from other teams — particularly Phoenix Fuel Masters — that they would want to acquire his services.
“It’s a long shot,” Phoenix head coach Louie Alas, who coached Devance in the PBL, told CNN Sportsdesk Monday morning.
“Just in case, I’m interested.”
“Joe has no reason to go. We know that. We don’t feel he’s gonna go,” said Cone Sunday night, after the Gin Kings took down GlobalPort Batang Pier through come-from-behind fashion, 104-97, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“No one’s gonna be able to steal Joe away from us.”
The logic behind Devance being moved to the UFA list was due to the league’s restrictions on putting players in the injury/reserve list. Teams are allowed to move just one player into the IRL, unlike before where they can move two.
Ginebra now has three injured players in Devance, Sol Mercado (ankle), and Art Dela Cruz (Achilles tendon). And their current set-up has Devance on the UFA list; Dela Cruz on the IRL; and Mercado and John Wilson active on the roster. Devance wanted Wilson to earn what he deserves instead of being paid with the allowance allotted for practice players.
“Obviously, Art is there because he hasn’t played in 10 months. And we activated John Wilson because he’s working hard and deserves to play, that’s why we put him in our roster,” explained the multi-titled bench strategist.
Cone, for the record, made it clear that what Ginebra did isn’t illegal.
“Right now… it’s a loophole in the rule, not illegal. It’s legal to do it so we’re gonna do it,” said the 28-year veteran coach. “It has been done by other teams. It’s the first time I’ve done it.
“I’ve seen it done with other teams.”
Devance, who has played for Cone since 2008, also made it clear that he isn’t taking his talents elsewhere.
“Everything’s okay with the understanding that we have. Me and coach Tim have a great relationship,” he said. “He’s taught me so much.
“It’s kind of hard for me to think of playing on any coach other than coach Tim.”
The versatile six-foot-seven forward, furthermore, is even keen on coming back to the Barangay by next month, once his foot is fully healed.
“It’s going good.. I’ve got another week til I can do weights and really strengthening my leg,” said the eight-time champion.
“I’m coming along, I should be coming back February or mid-February so, I just got to lose some weight real quick.”
