It was a gamble that paid off.
Still nursing a fractured foot that caused him to sit out for months, veteran forward Joe Devance returned and played in what could be the most important game of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday night.
Devance suited up in Game Three of the Gin Kings’ 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series versus rivals Magnolia Hotshots, as the two-time defending champions were in a precarious 0-2 spot in the race-to-three affair.
And he did what was expected from him.
The 6-foot-7 Devance had eight points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals, a block, and a team-best plus-15 rating, to help the crowd darlings avoid being swept and extend the series to another game with a thrilling 107-103 victory.
“If this was not the playoffs, Joe Devance would not be playing. No way would he be playing. If we were up two games to zero, there’s no way Joe Devance would be playing,” insisted Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
“The only reason he’s playing is we went down 2-0 and it’s the playoffs. You got to give the guy credit. He’s coming off a broken toe, hasn’t healed all the way yet. He’s supposed to take another two weeks off but he said, ‘I want to play.'”
Devance said that he’d been itching to get on the court and help the Barangay right after Game One last November 10 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, when his side were dealt with a 98-106 loss no thanks to Paul Lee’s heroics.
The Texas-native was in uniform come Game Two, but he did not see action.
“Since Game One, I felt really bad that I was sitting out. I actually told coach Tim that I wanted to play last game but him being concerned about my health, he decided to sit me out last game just to be safe,” said the 36-year-old point forward.
“But ever since Game One, I felt bad sitting out. I told myself, I’m not gonna get myself an excuse, can’t sit out right now. I haven’t really done much for the past two months. So after Game One, I went home and I ran, I worked out.”
Asked if he’ll be suiting up in Game Four this Friday, again in Antipolo – where they look to equalize the series – Devance made it known that he will.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m not gonna sit out on this one. I’m definitely gonna play. We got this, we got this,” said the 11-year pro, who’s been in the Barangay since 2015. “It’s all or nothing now from this point on.
“I don’t care about my foot right now.”
