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Despite late error, Cone says Devance "won the game for us"

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--Joe Devance provided the crucial baskets that helped Ginebra edge TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.

The six-foot-seven forward scored on pivotal follow-ups that kept the Barangay to hold to a two-possession lead over the KaTropa within the last two minutes of the game.

"Joe won the game for us," Coach Tim Cone commended Devance, who won titles with him at Alaska, Star, and Ginebra.

However, that did not stop Cone from commenting about Devance's near hero-to-zero moment in which he missed an open layup that set up the wild finale.

"It would have been smarter if he just held on to [the ball], but he felt he had an easy layup," Cone further said. 

Luckily for Devance, Glen Rice Jr. missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have forced overtime, letting the Barangay escape.


"He would have been feeling really bad if that three-point shot went in, but you just have to have that next play mentality. You just gotta move on," Cone continued.

He is very confident Devance will learn from the said sequence.

"Joe is usually pretty good about [moving on]. He's a veteran. It will just motivate him to play better in Game 4," Cone uttered.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno