MANILA, Philippines — Joe DeVance never expected to return to PBA action when he flew in from Dubai to attend a crypto event in Manila three weeks ago. But when Devance showed up at a Barangay Ginebra practice just to say hi, assistant coach Richard del Rosario and his buddy JD Dillinger convinced him to suit up in place of injured Isaac Go for the Governors’ Cup playoffs.
“I wasn’t even supposed to come to Manila,” said DeVance. “I met my business partners in Dubai and they invited me to go to this event in Manila. It was just for three days and now, it’s been three weeks. My wife (Monica) and our kids are in LA and I’m in big trouble with them. I’m hoping to bring them over to watch the Finals.”
DeVance, 42, hadn’t played in the PBA since Ginebra won the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup title. “This is a crazy story,” he said. “My toes are messed up and my knees are painful. But coach Richard and JD were super inspiring, motivating me to play again. I started stretching and before I knew it, I was back on the court. It’s like I never left. I know our system well. I’ve worked with Coach Tim (Cone) for years. I’m glad I stayed connected with the game the last two years, coaching my kids, shooting around. Once I got the feel of the ball, I told myself I can do my share to get our team together.”
DeVance has played eight games since the start of the playoffs, averaging 2.25 points, 1.3 rebounds and 10:25 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the floor. As a stabilizer, DeVance plays a key role. He banged up his left knee in a bone-to-bone collision during the San Miguel Beer semifinal series and had to sit out the Game Six clincher last Sunday. He’s still on crutches and hoping to recover in time to catch up with the Finals.
“This is definitely my last PBA conference,” he said. “I signed up only for the playoffs. Once the pain goes away, I’ll be ready. Coach Tim gave us two days off after we ended the semis so the rest is huge for me. Against Rain or Shine and San Miguel in the semis, I went out there to defend the bigs. It was more of a wrestling match, force against force. But against TNT in the Finals, Rondae (Hollis-Jefferson) is a different kind of import, he’s quick, he shoots threes. I’ll probably defend (JP) Erram or Kelly (Williams). I think the Finals will go seven games. Rondae and JB (Justin Brownlee) are the best imports this conference. I hope to end my PBA career with a championship so coming back will be worth it.”