It’s been 13 years since Joe Devance was drafted as the first overall pick in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft.
Since then, the 6-foot-7 utility forward has won numerous rings that literally cover each of his fingers.
In year 13, many expected Devance to decline. After all, the 38-year-old has logged in a lot of miles.
But the bubble actually helped him.
“I mean, there were games I did not play at all and some games, I only played three to four minutes. I was always ready if he called me in there because, at that time, I don’t know if he was saving me or waiting for the right time. I just focused on the game. Even before Game Three, I’m just warming out on the side or doing some workout. I’m just preparing for it on the side,” Devance shared to Tiebreaker Times.
“To be honest, being in the bubble and not having able to handle my obligations outside of basketball, you’re always locked in. It’s only bad after losses. You think about it. When we were outside, I could rely on my family to cheer me up. But here, I can always workout in my room or stretch and I’ll be good.”
Prior to last Sunday, Devance was playing just 12 minutes a contest.
Then ahead of Game Three of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Semis versus Meralco, Tim Cone called Devance.
Cone was treating it as a do-or-die game. So who better to than Devance to steer Ginebra’s ship?
“I’ve been relying on him for my last eight, nine years of coaching, so in a big moment like this, we went to Joe, because we trust him to make those decisions,” said Cone.
The problem was whether Devance was ready.
“Well, Coach Tim told me the day before. He basically told me to be ready because he is going to play me more minutes. He asked me if I was up to it,” bared Devance.
“I mentally prepared for it and luckily I was up for it.”
Despite not having the legs he used to, Devance logged 31 minutes in the contest. He finished with 10 points and five boards, helping his side gain a 2-1 advantage after a 79-70 win.
He was unable to replicate the same magic in Game Four, though, instead going scoreless in 16 minutes. Still, Devance will try again in their win-or-go-home game on Friday evening.
So after all the accolades, championships, and all-star appearances, what keeps Devance motivated?
“What keeps me hungry is the growth of it, just being better than what you were yesterday” he said. “Just grateful to Coach Tim and the great teammates I had through the years. But it’s just about growing and it is what keeps me motivated.
“To have that inner peace, knowing that it’s really the never say die spirit. We can’t just let up knowing that there are a lot of people depending on us. All those are the stuff just motivates me.”
