Even Joe Devance can’t believe that he is back in the PBA, considering that his return to Manila wasn’t related in any way to basketball.
But God works in mysterious ways, said the 42-year-old big man. So, he’s just relishing this unplanned comeback with Barangay Ginebra – and sees it as an opportunity to find the kind of closure he’s been wishing to have.
“I came out here just to take care of some things. And I went to say hi to Ginebra and as soon as I got there, the coaches were like, ‘Can you play?’ And I was like, ‘Oh shoot.’ I mean, I don’t know. And here I am,” he reflected.
“I mean, God works in mysterious ways. I feel like I didn’t get the closure I wanted even though I didn’t come here for basketball.”
Everything happened so spontaneously for JDV. In fact, he never even had any inkling that he’d soon be suiting up for the Kings when he first watched a PBA game last September 19 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
That game day – during the tail-end of the Season 49 Governors’ Cup group stage – did not feature the Barangay. What he watched back then was the second-round meeting between San Miguel and Rain or Shine.
But as he mentioned, that visit to his old team proved to be the turning point of what was supposed to be a quick trip back to the Philippines. And it wasn’t an easy decision to make for him, since his family is in the States.
“I have to think about it because my wife is there, my kids are still back in the States,” said the 12-time league champion, a father of four.
“I just came here to take care of some business. I really didn’t think it was possible – Joe playing after two years? I wasn’t even healthy when I played last time, and now I’m back. This is all a surreal moment and it feels good.”
Devance played his first game in two years on Thursday when Ginebra faced Meralco in Game 1 of their best-of-5 quarterfinals, and he was seemingly the lucky charm as the crowd darlings won a 99-92 decision.
The versatile 6-foot-7 forward played for a total of six minutes and 19 seconds and scored two points. While it may seem small to some, head coach Tim Cone couldn’t be any happier with his contributions.
“I thought he was fantastic for us,” he said. “I thought that he came in and played some really super valuable minutes at times when, you know, we’re trying to manage Japeth’s minutes, and that’s been our issue.
“So, Joe’s ability to come in and play those six minutes, that’s six minutes Japeth doesn’t have to play. And we don’t lose too much. He got a bucket, he played defense, he got up and down the floor,” he added.
“And that’s not bad for not playing basketball for two years and having one practice under his belt,” continued Cone. “He’s very seamless in a way that he comes into us ’cause he knows everything that we do.”
Devance was as happy with how his comeback game turned out.
“The biggest thing that was in my mind was I didn’t wanna let anybody down,” he said.
“I didn’t wanna let the coaches down for just having that faith of just kinda bringing me up outta nowhere to play in the playoffs. I didn’t want to let the fans down and thankfully we got the win … it’s a great first game back,” he added.
Now, he’s taking everything day by day, just feeling out how things would pan out as it remains to be seen if this is going to be a lengthy stint or not.
“Again, I wasn’t even supposed to be out here playing basketball. Just taking it day by day. I haven’t even thought about anything else. Just trying to get through each day,” said Devance.
“My legs are sore, guys,” he quipped.
