Two-day Express: Devance now headed to Derby Ace Llamados

Joe Devance was only an Air21 cager for two days. After a two-day stopover at the Express's Ube Republic, Devance found himself at the trading table once more. Air21 coach Bong Ramos confirmed to GMA News that this season's candidate for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, along with guard Marcy Arellano, will be shipped to the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados. "I received a word from the management that we are trading Devance along with Arellano," said Ramos in a telephone interview. Devance attended his second practice session with the Express on Wednesday when news broke out that he and Arellano will become the new members of the Llamados. The Express will get swingman KG Canaleta and bruising forward Jondan Salvador in the two-team exchange. "If it's true that I'm headed to B-Meg, then it gives me reason to be excited as I have a chance to win another championship," said Devance. "They have James (Yap), Kerby (Raymundo), PJ (Simon), and other stars. They don't even need me to win a championship," added Devance in jest. "But I will be happy to join the squad and I won't be a stranger to that team because James' family and my wife's family came from the same province." PBA commissioner Atty. Chito Salud said he hasn't received any trade paper signed by both camps as of early Wednesday afternoon. He also refused to make a comment whether the trade can be approved or will need revision, just like what he did in previous transactions, to balance the deal between two teams. "I have yet to receive the trade paper signed by both teams," said Salud. Devance, who was traded for Jay-R Reyes of Air21 a few days ago, led the elims statistical race for the Best Player of the Conference award of the recently-concluded Commissioner's Cup that was just won by Talk 'N Text. He was second in Alaska's scoring (next to LA Tenorio) with a 13.4 points per game average. He also averaged 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists and wound up with an average of 32 statistical points at the end of the single-round eliminations. - JVP, GMA News