Devance ace up Cone's sleeve

MANILA, Philippines - It was long in coming, but the recognition came just in time for Joe Devance, who helped put Alaska in the threshold of a semifinal appearance in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

The 28-year-old Devance turned in averages of 17 points, 7.5 rebounds and two assists in the Aces’ back-to-back victories over the Ginebra Gin Kings in their best-of-five quarterfinal showdown.

Those big numbers netted Alaska’s multi-talented forward the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award for the period July 5 to 11.

It was the first such citation for the No. 1 pick in the 2007 draft and none is happier for him than Alaska coach Tim Cone.

“Joe has been very quietly one of the keys to our success the last couple of years,” said Cone of the 6-foot-7 southpaw acquired in a trade with Welcoat (currently Rain or Shine) for Solomon Mercado in 2008.

“His versatility is what makes our triangle go,” said Cone. “I’m very happy for him that he’s getting some recognition. It’s very long overdue!”

There were other players who stood out, like RoS guard Sol Mercado (16.5 points, 7.0 assists) and Devance teammate LA Tenorio (8.5 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists). But Devance simply beat them with solid figures of his own.

In the series opener where he scattered 15 points, Devance scored six during a decisive 14-2 run that enabled Alaska to wrest full control from a 62-67 deficit.

In Game Two last Sunday, he figured in all six of Alaska’s last six points to cap a 19-point, nine-rebound performance. First he fed Diamon Simpson for a basket, scored on two difficult short stabs and then harassed Sunday Salvacion into missing the potential game-winning triple.

There is another thing in the player’s game that should please Cone, the other Aces and all their avid supporters.

In those said games, Devance has attempted only three times from beyond the arc, showcasing his evolution into a more of a high percentage-shot type of a player that Cone wants him to be.

With Devance continuing to work on his game and progressing in the process there is little doubt where Alaska is headed, not only in the current tourney but in the seasons to come.