PBA: Cone pays tribute to 'chemistry guru' Joe Devance | ABS-CBN
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PBA: Cone pays tribute to 'chemistry guru' Joe Devance
PBA: Cone pays tribute to 'chemistry guru' Joe Devance
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jun 02, 2022 07:13 PM PHT
MANILA, Philippines -- Tim Cone was not surprised that Joe Devance has decided to step away from basketball, but it's still a topic that saddens the multi-titled head coach.
MANILA, Philippines -- Tim Cone was not surprised that Joe Devance has decided to step away from basketball, but it's still a topic that saddens the multi-titled head coach.
"I keep getting to answer that question," Cone said on Thursday, during the PBA's media day ahead of its 47th season. "And every time you ask, it depresses me. I feel depressed."
"I keep getting to answer that question," Cone said on Thursday, during the PBA's media day ahead of its 47th season. "And every time you ask, it depresses me. I feel depressed."
Devance, 40, announced on Wednesday that he was retiring after a PBA career that spanned 16 seasons. He won 12 championships -- all of them with Cone as his coach.
Devance, 40, announced on Wednesday that he was retiring after a PBA career that spanned 16 seasons. He won 12 championships -- all of them with Cone as his coach.
They were virtually inseparable: Cone coached Devance in Alaska, reunited with him in the Purefoods franchise, then traded for Devance when he was appointed as head coach of Barangay Ginebra.
They were virtually inseparable: Cone coached Devance in Alaska, reunited with him in the Purefoods franchise, then traded for Devance when he was appointed as head coach of Barangay Ginebra.
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"He's my longest tenured player," Cone mused. "More than Johnny [Abarrientos] or Jojo [Lastimosa] or any of those guys."
"He's my longest tenured player," Cone mused. "More than Johnny [Abarrientos] or Jojo [Lastimosa] or any of those guys."
They had talked about his looming retirement, Cone said, so it was not a shock to see Devance make a formal announcement. The Ginebra coach revealed that he offered Devance a place in the coaching staff, but the Filipino-American forward wanted to explore other possibilities in the United States at the moment.
They had talked about his looming retirement, Cone said, so it was not a shock to see Devance make a formal announcement. The Ginebra coach revealed that he offered Devance a place in the coaching staff, but the Filipino-American forward wanted to explore other possibilities in the United States at the moment.
Devance was limited to a reserve role in his final conference with Ginebra, and he played just seven games in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup. But for Cone, Devance's impact -- especially towards the latter part of his career -- has always extended beyond the court.
Devance was limited to a reserve role in his final conference with Ginebra, and he played just seven games in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup. But for Cone, Devance's impact -- especially towards the latter part of his career -- has always extended beyond the court.
"Joe was such a huge presence on our team and he's been a huge presence for me through the years," he noted.
"Joe was such a huge presence on our team and he's been a huge presence for me through the years," he noted.
"He's our chemistry guru," Cone said. "He was the one that always set up the chemistry for our team."
"He's our chemistry guru," Cone said. "He was the one that always set up the chemistry for our team."
"He was the one that motivated players, he was the one where if a player had a problem they'd go to him and talk to him first before the coaching staff ever heard about it."
"He was the one that motivated players, he was the one where if a player had a problem they'd go to him and talk to him first before the coaching staff ever heard about it."
Devance was the first overall pick in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft, and throughout his career he earned eight All-Star selections and was a three-time member of the PBA Mythical Second Team. Cone lauded his versatility: Devance was a big man who could bring down the ball and initiate their offense, and during his prime he was the fulcrum of the triangle.
Devance was the first overall pick in the 2007 PBA Rookie Draft, and throughout his career he earned eight All-Star selections and was a three-time member of the PBA Mythical Second Team. Cone lauded his versatility: Devance was a big man who could bring down the ball and initiate their offense, and during his prime he was the fulcrum of the triangle.
As the years passed, however, it was his leadership and personality that made Devance invaluable to Cone and his teams. The coach marveled at how Devance could bring a team together, noting that it was what made the big man so special.
As the years passed, however, it was his leadership and personality that made Devance invaluable to Cone and his teams. The coach marveled at how Devance could bring a team together, noting that it was what made the big man so special.
"As he started to grow as a player, as a person, and get a little older, it became more about his personality and his leadership and his relationships with players," said Cone. "He's the one guy that knew about relationships and how powerful they could be. And how he can use it to his advantage."
"As he started to grow as a player, as a person, and get a little older, it became more about his personality and his leadership and his relationships with players," said Cone. "He's the one guy that knew about relationships and how powerful they could be. And how he can use it to his advantage."
"I was talking to Jared Dillinger before he came over here and he told me that throughout their careers they were always on rival teams," Cone added. "But when they became teammates, he said he's like he's been my friend forever."
"I was talking to Jared Dillinger before he came over here and he told me that throughout their careers they were always on rival teams," Cone added. "But when they became teammates, he said he's like he's been my friend forever."
"That's the kind of impression Joe leaves on people. Just a great, tremendous person."
"That's the kind of impression Joe leaves on people. Just a great, tremendous person."
It's a trait that will be greatly missed by Cone and the Ginebra organization, especially with Devance opting not to take a coaching position with the team for now. Cone won't deny that he will personally miss Devance, having come to rely on the player over the years both in and out of the court.
It's a trait that will be greatly missed by Cone and the Ginebra organization, especially with Devance opting not to take a coaching position with the team for now. Cone won't deny that he will personally miss Devance, having come to rely on the player over the years both in and out of the court.
"I feel, literally, daily insecure not having him there to help me out and talk to players and be there," the coach said. "That's a huge void we're gonna have to fill on the team. It's not gonna be easy."
"I feel, literally, daily insecure not having him there to help me out and talk to players and be there," the coach said. "That's a huge void we're gonna have to fill on the team. It's not gonna be easy."
"But someone's gonna have to step up, we're gonna have to figure out a way to keep that chemistry and leadership without him," he added.
"But someone's gonna have to step up, we're gonna have to figure out a way to keep that chemistry and leadership without him," he added.
If and when Devance decides to return to the Philippines, Cone assures that there will be a place waiting for him in his coaching staff.
If and when Devance decides to return to the Philippines, Cone assures that there will be a place waiting for him in his coaching staff.
"He's got a welcome place back with us. We understand and know his value, and we certainly love to have him back any time that he's ready to come back," he added. "But right now, he's just exploring his chances in the States."
"He's got a welcome place back with us. We understand and know his value, and we certainly love to have him back any time that he's ready to come back," he added. "But right now, he's just exploring his chances in the States."
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Basketball
NUNS overwhelms Ateneo by 94 points in UAAP girls basketball
NUNS overwhelms Ateneo by 94 points in UAAP girls basketball
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 24, 2025 12:49 AM PHT
MANILA, Philippines – National University Nazareth School wasted no time in establishing its dominance in the UAAP High School Girls' Basketball Tournament, delivering a historic 109-15 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
MANILA, Philippines – National University Nazareth School wasted no time in establishing its dominance in the UAAP High School Girls' Basketball Tournament, delivering a historic 109-15 victory over Ateneo de Manila University on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
The Lady Bullpups’ 94-point victory set a new UAAP girls basketball record for the largest winning margin, surpassing the previous mark of 85 points set by University of Santo Tomas in a 112-27 win over Ateneo during Season 82 on January 25, 2020.
The Lady Bullpups’ 94-point victory set a new UAAP girls basketball record for the largest winning margin, surpassing the previous mark of 85 points set by University of Santo Tomas in a 112-27 win over Ateneo during Season 82 on January 25, 2020.
“Natutuwa kami sa panalo dahil first-ever UAAP game namin ito,” said Lady Bullpups head coach Camilla Escoto. “Pero yung sa margin, hindi na kasi namin tinitingnan yung score. Gusto lang namin magperform and marepresent nang maayos yung school on a big stage.”
“Natutuwa kami sa panalo dahil first-ever UAAP game namin ito,” said Lady Bullpups head coach Camilla Escoto. “Pero yung sa margin, hindi na kasi namin tinitingnan yung score. Gusto lang namin magperform and marepresent nang maayos yung school on a big stage.”
NUNS started hot, outscoring Ateneo 40-2 in the opening quarter. The Blue Eagles managed just one field goal in the period, courtesy of Cesca Pangilinan at the 8:03 mark.
NUNS started hot, outscoring Ateneo 40-2 in the opening quarter. The Blue Eagles managed just one field goal in the period, courtesy of Cesca Pangilinan at the 8:03 mark.
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By halftime, the Lady Bullpups had extended their lead to 66-8, forcing 40 turnovers and holding Ateneo to just 4-of-10 shooting.
By halftime, the Lady Bullpups had extended their lead to 66-8, forcing 40 turnovers and holding Ateneo to just 4-of-10 shooting.
The second half was no different, as NUNS held Ateneo scoreless in the third quarter with a dominant 24-0 run, pushing their lead to an insurmountable 90-8 heading into the final period.
The second half was no different, as NUNS held Ateneo scoreless in the third quarter with a dominant 24-0 run, pushing their lead to an insurmountable 90-8 heading into the final period.
Ateneo score only three times in the second half, with Tyler Templo contributing a triple and a layup and Pia Lo adding a floater late in the game.
Ateneo score only three times in the second half, with Tyler Templo contributing a triple and a layup and Pia Lo adding a floater late in the game.
The Lady Bullpups’ inside presence was overwhelming, as they outscored Ateneo 94-4 in the paint. Their defense was equally suffocating, forcing a total of 58 turnovers and racking up 38 steals.
The Lady Bullpups’ inside presence was overwhelming, as they outscored Ateneo 94-4 in the paint. Their defense was equally suffocating, forcing a total of 58 turnovers and racking up 38 steals.
Aubrey Laparasan led NUNS with 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Zaydhen Rosano matched her output with 20 points, adding eight steals, three rebounds, and three assists.
Aubrey Laparasan led NUNS with 20 points, five assists, and five rebounds, while Zaydhen Rosano matched her output with 20 points, adding eight steals, three rebounds, and three assists.
Haikka Aycardo and Ashlyn Abong each scored 12 points, combining for 14 rebounds and six steals. Rebekkah Pascua and Ashley Trinidad chipped in 10 points apiece in a well-rounded team effort.
Haikka Aycardo and Ashlyn Abong each scored 12 points, combining for 14 rebounds and six steals. Rebekkah Pascua and Ashley Trinidad chipped in 10 points apiece in a well-rounded team effort.
NUNS will face another test when they take on the De La Salle Zobel Junior Lady Archers next Thursday, January 30, at the same venue.
NUNS will face another test when they take on the De La Salle Zobel Junior Lady Archers next Thursday, January 30, at the same venue.
Pangilinan paced Ateneo with six points—all in the first half—along with five rebounds and the game’s only block. Templo added five points and five rebounds for the Blue Eagles.
Pangilinan paced Ateneo with six points—all in the first half—along with five rebounds and the game’s only block. Templo added five points and five rebounds for the Blue Eagles.
Meanwhile, Ateneo will aim to bounce back against the UST Junior Growling Tigresses on Sunday, February 2.
Meanwhile, Ateneo will aim to bounce back against the UST Junior Growling Tigresses on Sunday, February 2.
Read More:
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UAAP Season 87
National University Nazareth School
UAAP High School Girls' Basketball Tournament
Ateneo de Manila University
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