Even with 11 titles, Devance still motivated to win more

Joe Devance now has won 11 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) titles after Barangay Ginebra’s conquest of the Philippine Cup last week.

And Devance himself is amazed.

“I [never thought] I could ever get to this many championships as I have,” the Gin Kings forward said after he tied Rafi Reavis for the most titles won by an active player. “It means so much to me.

“[T]he career I’ve had, the support I’ve had—from teammates to coaches, to fans, to my family—it’s just been a great experience. I am too blessed, so I’m thankful.”

Title-less with first team

Devance has won for every franchise he has played for in the PBA after leaving Rain or Shine (then Welcoat), which picked him first overall in 2007.

The Hawaii-born forward won one with Alaska, five counting a Triple Crown sweep with Purefoods/San Miguel, and now five and counting with this Ginebra crew, which will prove later on as the most historic since it was played inside a bubble.

And there’s a common denominator in each of those championships: Tim Cone

“He’s not the winningest coach for no reason,” Devance said of Cone. “I’m thankful that I’ve had his support throughout my career, that he’s wanted me his whole career.”

Devance has been beside Cone for so long he already knows the inner workings of the multititled coach’s schemes, including his usage of the fabled triangle offense.

8 crowns shortHe has been regarded as a high-IQ player by Cone himself and was one of the veterans who held the Gin Kings together the many times they were in trouble in the Philippine Cup playoffs.

“It’s just crazy to think that I’m up there with Raf,” he said. “I don’t know the highest amount of championships, but I’m sure it’s not too far from 11, right?”

Devance will get to find that out, and will realize that he will have a lot more work to turn in and would need to play a lot of years with Ramon Fernandez having won a total of 19 with multiple teams, counting the legendary Toyota crew.

But at the rate Ginebra is going, that’s not an impossible target as Cone had said that they will persuade the 7-foot Greg Slaughter to return starting next season. INQ