JOE DEVANCE swears that his PBA comeback was unplanned, saying he was initially out here in the Philippines for a business trip.
But eventually, Devance soon learned that the business he did have was to be finished on the court.
The 42-year-old Devance admitted he was offered by the Barangay Ginebra coaching staff to come back after visiting them in practice in his return to Manila.
READ: Isaac Go’s extended injury leads Cone to tap Joe Devance anew
The Gin Kings needed a big man for their playoff run, and felt like Devance - who once donned their jersey, of course - was fit for the task.
“To be honest, I came out here for business. I came out here to take care of some things. I went to say hi to Ginebra. And soon as I got there, the coaches were like ‘Can you play?’ I was like ‘Oh, shoot.’ And here I am,” he said, whose first public appearance was actually when he watched the game between San Miguel and Rain or Shine last Thursday.
"I really didn't think it was posisble, playing after two years. I wasn't even healthy when I played the last time, and then now, I'm back. This is all a surreal moment," he added.
Devance said his desire to have some closure made him decide to say yes to the offer. Heretired on June 2022 after winning 12 titles in the PBA, but was hampered by injuries in the final moments of his career.
“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. Coach Tim [Cone], boss Al [Chua], and boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang), they blessed me with the opportunity to have some closure on unfinished business. It feels good to be here. Truly blessed,” he said.
Devance played in Game One of the PBA Governors’ Cup 49th Season quarterfinals, playing for six minutes and 19 seconds and had two points.
JDV back!
Devance admitted he is still far from game shape, so his stint on the floor felt like a chore. He was also focused on not letting his teammates down while playing.
“My legs are a little bit heavy. It’s the first game I’ve had in two and a half years. But it feels good. It felt great to be out there. I was a little anxious because I didn’t know how I was going to play. To be honest, I’m not in the best of shape. I might look a little thinner than I was the last time. I just train my kids. I train my basketball program in LA. That’s really the most I’ve done,” he said.
“I don’t know how many minutes I’ve played, but it feels like I played 40 minutes,” he added.
Now the first game in his comeback is out of the way, Devance thanked his family - especially wife Monica - for their support to his decision.
“Please give my wife a big hug because she is very, very mad guys,” he told reporters with a smile. “If you are hearing this and you are watching this, I want to say sorry. And I love you so much. Kids, I love you so much. Please forgive dad. Don’t be mad at me.”
“She has a tough job of taking care of four kids in the States. She has her own battles in the States. I try to take care of business out here and hopefully, we can get further along and they can come watch me play and take care of some unfinished business.”
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