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Ginebra's Joe Devance drives against Star's Ian Sangalang in Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series. PBA Media Bureau photo

MANILA, Philippines Joe Devance made a timely return for Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series against the Star Hotshots, and although he played only 18 minutes, it was enough to give the Gin Kings the lift they needed to secure the win.

Devance had missed Ginebra's last three games due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot, which flared up in their first game against Alaska in the quarterfinals. The Gin Kings won their knockout game against the Aces without Devance, but bowed to Star in the first two games of their best-of-seven semifinals.

The versatile forward checked in at the 4:36 mark of the first quarter, to the delight of the Ginebra fans at the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday. He made an immediate impact, scoring a lay-up, and finished with six points and six boards in what turned out to be a 73-62 Ginebra victory.

"Joe is getting shots literally right before the game," Ginebra coach Tim Cone said afterward. "Before he goes out there, the doctors are coming over and giving him injections right into his injury, so he can play."

"It's an incredible thing. I don't know very many players that would do that," he added. "But Joe takes pride in sacrificing sacrificing for his teammates, sacrificing shots, and playing through injury. It's part of his personality."

Having Devance back gave Ginebra another playmaker who can also space the floor and rebound, while forcing Star's big men to defend him all the way to the perimeter. Moreover, he made the Gin Kings a "more intelligent team," said Cone, thanks to his off-the-charts basketball IQ.

"We just play smarter and better, and his size defensively and on the boards is a big plus," said Cone of Devance.

Devance acknowledged after the game that he was still in pain, and indeed, he had to sit out the entirety of the fourth quarter as his foot started to hurt as early as the third frame. However, missing out a fourth consecutive game was not something that the multi-titled player could stomach.

"How can I sit out right now?" he asked. "It's hard to sit down in the sidelines and watch. I'm gonna do whatever I can to help."

Devance said that he had been ready to play as early as Game 2, having taken an anesthetic to numb the pain. Cone did not risk him then, but with Ginebra facing the specter of possibly going down 0-3 in a best-of-seven series, the coach sent in one of his most trusted players to provide a steady presence.

"I just reassured (Cone) today that I'm good, let's do this. He was able to play me," said Devance. "I'm thankful that we won, and thankful that I got on the court."

For his teammates, Devance's presence accounted for far more than the six points and six boards that he contributed.

"He's our leader, he's our glue guy, he's our defensive anchor," Sol Mercado said of Devance. "So just to have him makes everybody feel good. As you can see, our defense was better with him being able to play."

"Malaking bagay talaga kasi marami siyang nagagawa eh," said LA Tenorio. "I'm not talking about points lang, but andoon 'yung presence niya sa loob ng court. Iba siya as a leader eh."

Tenorio adds that Devance alleviates some of the pressure that is on him to make plays for their teammates. "You can think of him as a point guard also," he said. "Sana, magtuloy-tuloy na gumaling 'yung paa ni Joe."

Devance was reluctant to say that he inspired his teammates to play at a higher level in Game 3.

"I just think they came out and played with a little bit more desperation, and a little bit of inspired basketball," he said. "But I don't think it's because of me. It's for the fans."

"We kind of realized that we were playing for each other," Devance added. "You know, when all that sinks in, it's like we're playing for more than just ourselves. That's what kind of sank in today."

Cone is unsure if he will field in Devance on Wednesday for the crucial Game 4, but the player himself had no doubts.

"I'm gonna play, for sure," Devance declared.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.

Excerpt from:
Devance gives Ginebra huge lift in Game 3 return - ABS-CBN News