Joe DeVance goes for the block. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Star Hotshots usually have a myriad of scoring options, from their import Marqus Blakely to their veteran guards in James Yap and PJ Simon.
For the ballyhooed Manila Classico, however, their versatile forward Joe Devance was the one who lit up the scoreboards in Star’s victory over Ginebra.
Devance was everywhere for the Hotshots as he poured 26 points and shot 60 percent from the floor while pestering Ginebra’s high-octane import Orlando Johnson.
Johnson did finish with 35 points, but it was Devance’s team which had the better game.
“Well, it felt good scoring the ball,” Devance said Sunday at Smart-Araneta Coliseum. “But, I just focused on my defense and the offense just came.”
Devance was almost pedestrian in the first half as he scored only eight points but turned it up in the second when he put up 18, nine in each quarter.
Star Hotshots are 3-4 in the win-loss column and their win over Ginebra was a good reprieve in their topsy-turvy Governor’s Cup.
“It feels good to beat any team, Manila Classico or not,” Devance said, who also grabbed eight rebounds.
Star Hotshots pounded Ginebra not only on the parquet floor but on the stat sheets as well.
Their defense shackled Ginebra as they allowed only 29 of 82 shot for a 35 percent clip. The Hotshots made 33-of-72 shots for a more respectable 46 percent display.
Star Hotshots also took the rebounding battle with a 53-17 advantage.