Top rookie makes Welcoat owner happy

By: Rey Joble
People's Journal
September 22, 2007

The happiest man in Welcoat’s camp isn’t the top rookie overall pick Joe Devance, who just fulfilled his dream to finally play in the PBA after nearly two years of waiting.

The biggest smile on the bench belongs to the team’s co-owner Raymond Yu, who was so amazed how his No.1 draft performed during the pre-season.

“He averaged 31 points. He can run for his size. He has a decent touch from the perimeter and he quickly made the team better with his entry,” Yu told People’s Tonight.

Oh yes, Devance was worth all the hype, at least in the pre-season, where he emerged as the best all-around player.

The 6-7, Fil-Am nearly kissed his PBA dreams goodbye and had to scramble for the remaining documents needed to become eligible.

He had his mind set up that if ever he didn’t make it to the PBA this year, he will go back to the United States and look for a job there as he is planning to marry her girlfriend late this year.

Until the PBA opened the door for him and Welcoat gave him a home to stay.
And he didn’t let the Dragons down.

“Hindi na hirap si Jay-R ngayon kasi may katulong na siya,” said Yu. “The team now has improved a bit, pero syempre, kulang pa rin. Hindi pa kami talaga powerhouse na maitutuiring.”

Now in its second season in the PBA, the Dragons have become more formidable with the acquisition of Devance, and Ryan Araña as well as veteran Nic Belasco, who was plucked from Fiesta Conference champion Alaska in a trade with Jun-Jun Cabatu.

Meanwhile, Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez denied reports that the team had given up its effort on negotiating with the Living Legend Robert Jaworski.

“That’s not true,” said Alvarez in a telephone interview. “He just finished operation on his shoulder and pag dating niya, aayusin na naming lahat.”

Alvarez also disclosed that Ervin Sotto, who also saw action for the Express two years ago, was taken back by the team to help bolster their frontline.

“He was part of the package in the Mark Telan trade,” said Alvarez. “But what we really want to get is a legitimate center. We have lots of talented players on this team, but we lacked the ceiling.”