MANILA, Philippines – Joe Devance and coach Tim Cone will be reunited for the third time at Brgy. Ginebra.
The Kings acquired the versatile forward after a series of trades involving them, Star Hotshots, Barako Bull Energy and GlobalPort Batang Pier.
The Hotshots first sent Devance to Barako Bull in exchange for young big men Jake and Ronald Pascual. Then the Energy immediately shipped the former Rookie of the Year to the Kings for Mac Baracael and Prince Caperal, whom they acquired from GlobalPort in exchange for veteran big man Dorian Peña.
Devance and Cone are reunited for the third time after winning championships at Alaska and Star (formerly Purefoods) together.
The trades were approved by new PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa on Monday.
The Batang Pier got Peña, whom they will count on defense to counter June Mar Fajardos and Greg Slaughters.
Baracael, meanwhile, hopes to revive his career at Barako Bull after falling out of the Kings' rotation amidst the whirlwind coaching changes at the most popular ballclub.
The Hotshots, on the other hand, have added young big men to join Norbert Torres and Ian Sangalang as they start to rebuild their frontcourt led by Gilas forward Marc Pingris.