VETERAN Joe Devance won’t be suiting up for Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 of the PBA Governors Cup semifinals against San Miguel due to a bone bruise on his left knee.
The 42-year-old power forward sustained the injury in the early part of the fourth quarter of Game 5 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, which the Kings won, 121-92.
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Devance, who had to come out of retirement to help the Kings in their bid to reign again in the same conference they dominated in the past, said he was accidentally hit by San Miguel import EJ Anosike that led to the injury.
“I got hit by their import I think with 10 minutes in the fourth quarter. I initially had no idea about it before my knee began to hurt,” said the Fil-Am big man. “I then asked coach Tim (Cone) that I can’t continue to play anymore."
Devance showed up in street clothes and walked with crutches at the Smart Araneta Coliseum as he joined the rest of the Kings inside their dugout.
He hopes Ginebra would be able to finally finish off the series tonight as there will be at least a week’s break before the finals kick off.
If not, Devance said he’ll be forced to find a way to suit up in a deciding Game 7 on Wednesday, if necessary.
“I can’t let my team down,” he said.
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