By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Retirement has not yet crossed the mind of Negrense forward Joe Devance of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings as he aims to break the championship feat of Magnolia Hotshots slotman Rafael Reavis.

The 6-foot-7 Devance is currently tied with Reavis among the active players with most number of PBA championships at 11 following the Kings’ 2020 PBA Philippine Cup triumph over the TNT Tropang Giga.

“Well, I didn’t [think] I was going to get to as many championships as I have,” said the Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native in his latest vlog. “I will be back sure for the next conference.”

“It means so much to me that the career I’ve had, the support I’ve had from my teammates, coaches, the fans, my family is just a great experience. I’m just blessed and thankful,” he added.

All of the 11 championships that Devance has won in his PBA career was under veteran coach Tim Cone—five when he was still with Purefoods franchise, five with the Kings and one with the Alaska Aces.

The 38-year-old Devance was still a vital cog for the Kings in clinching its first All-Filipino crown in 13 years. He averaged 3.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 12 minutes and was even part of the starting unit in the last two games.

After tying Reavis, who was his teammate with the Purefoods franchise, Devance said that he is determined to break the 43-year-old center’s active PBA championship record.

“It’s just crazy to think that I’m up there with Raf,” Devance said. “I got to at least get one more. Then if Raf wins, then I got… My thing now is I got to beat Raf. That’s my thing now.”

“I don’t know what the highest number of championships for a player is, but I’m pretty sure it’s not too far from 11, right?” added Devance, pertaining to the 19 championships of retired player Ramon Fernandez./ASC, WDJ