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Joe Devance continues "immersion" as assistant coach on Gin Kings bench

Donning a suit and tie, Joe Devance sits at the Gin Kings' bench to feel how it is like as a part of the coaching staff after he was appointed as Assistant Coach for Gilas Pilipinas. Dennis Jerome Acosta
By Xy-Zha Cabanlong

QUEZON CITY - For the second time around, Joe Devance appeared at the bench of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings wearing a suit and tie.

Devance earlier clarified on social media that he is not hanging up his jersey just yet, to venture on coaching but is grateful for the opportunity given to him by Coach Tim Cone to be a part of the coaching staff of the Gilas Pilipinas pool that would compete for the SEA Games later this year.

"I just want to be a bit professional," Devance said.

While Coach Tim Cone welcomes Devance's garb, most of his teammates on the other hand, has a lot to say about his professional look coming into the game dubbed as the "Manila Clasico" where the Gin Kings faced their toughest rival, the Magnolia Hotshots.

"Everybody was calling me Manager Joe, Attorney Joe, Broadcaster Joe - they had all kind of different Joes for me today, all but Coach Joe but it's fun. I'm having fun," Devance added.

Devance admitted that he's not into wearing anything formal like the suit he adorned in the game but since he is part of the Gilas Coaching staff, he tried to get the feel of it during the games, while he still can't wear his Ginebra jersey due to injury.

The idea of coaching in the near future looms in Devance's mind but at the moment, he still want to play and continue being the competitive guy that he already is.

"When the opportunity comes, I will give it a thought," Devance said in parting.

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