By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Despite logging in limited minutes, veteran forward Negrense Joe Devance still plays a pivotal role for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs round.
According to Gin Kings assistant coach Richard del Rosario, the Negros Occidental’s Escalante City native cager is among those who are guiding the younger Ginebra players to master the system of head coach Tim Cone.
“Even though konti lang ‘yung minutes ni Joe [inside the court], ang laki na nung naging role niya para sa team namin,” Del Rosario said in an interview with dwAR Abante Radyo’s Sports Now program.
“Hindi lamang kapag nasa loob siya, even ‘yung guiding ng ibang mga players namin, kabisado na niya ‘yung sistema ni coach Tim sa offense, tsaka sa defense. So ‘yung pagtuturo niya, helping us out, malaking bagay na ‘yun,” he added.
In the best-of-seven semifinals round, Del Rosario said Devance is also helping out Gin Kings center Japeth Aguilar in defending San Miguel Beermen big man June Mar Fajardo.
“We will use him as we need him,” Del Rosario said.
“Bibigyan din siya ng minutes para makapagpahinga rin itong si Japeth sa loob. Makatulong sa pagdepensa doon sa team sa San Miguel,” he said.
“Nagkaroon kami ng medyo long break [dahil natapos namin agad ‘yung quarterfinals series namin against Meralco Bolts]. So medyo nagkaroon si Joe ng time to get better shape,” he added./ASC, WDJ