Joe Devance admitted that he was disappointed with how his return to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel had turned out Sunday night at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan: an 82-84 defeat to rivals Meralco Bolts.
It was the six-foot-seven forward’s first game back since October of last year, when the Gin Kings took on the Orangemen in a classic 2017 Governor’s Cup Finals series, where Ginebra retained the crown in seven games.
“Just disappointed that we lost especially since it’s [my] first game back,” said Devance, who is coming off a foot injury that had hobbled him the past season, where he had to take painkillers every game just to be able to play.
“We lost focus on execution and defense.
“When something like that happens, it just kinda boils down to execution and defense and that’s where we lost our focus,” he added, as they lost hold of a seven-point lead in the fourth.
Despite the rude welcome, what made Devance slightly positive was that he had finally rejoined his fellow Gin Kings. He played nearly 18 minutes in his return and finished with four points, three rebounds, and two assists.
However, the 35-year-old iterated that he still has to reach 100 percent.
“I’m okay. [But] I still have quite a bit to go,” shared the 11-year league veteran. “Just trying to work hard every day.
“Hopefully when we make the playoffs, hopefully I’ll be a hundred percent or close to it.”
