JOE Devance may be just good for 10 or 15 minutes at the most playing for Barangay Ginebra, but those playing time is certainly significant numbers especially in the coming PBA Governors Cup finals where the stakes are definitely high.
In the light of the knee injury (bone bruise) the 42-year-old power forward suffered in the semifinals series against San Miguel, coach Tim Cone is keeping an optimistic mindset the King will have Devance back in the latter part of the title series against TNT Tropang Giga.
With just a week to recover and Game 1 of the title series set Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, the Ginebra coach doesn't see his long-time player coming back for the finals opener at least.
"He's got a week to recover. Right now he's still on crutches, he still got a brace. So can he take that off and probably be ready to play in a week? Probably, doubtful," said Cone of Devance.
"But probably, sometime in the series he might comeback."
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Devance, who had to unretire and help Barangay Ginebra fill in the hole in the middle left by the injury to Isaac Go, showed up in street clothes and was in crutches during Game 6 of the semis after hurting his knee following an accidental hit from San Miguel import EJ Anosike the previous game.
The 12-time champion, who just returned to the country for a short vacation only to be convinced to come out of retirement, said he's also uncertain about the timeline of his availability for the coming finals.
Bu his return was a huge relief for veteran big man Japeth Aguilar as Devance gave him minutes of rest in this phase of the tournament where games are held at a fast pace and high level intensity.
Devance played a total of eight games in the playoffs and averaged 10 minutes of play, 2.2 points and 1.2 rebounds.
That alone was enough for Cone to be grateful to the Fil-Am big man, who's been a player of him dating back to their days together with Alaska.
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"Hanging out around here, and suddenly, he has to play a high level basketball without being able to prepare his body and be in shape, it was amazing that he was able to do what he was able to do," said the Ginebra coach of Devance.
Too bad, he had to sit out a few games, but with the hope of coming back again and helping the Kings regain their crown from the Tropang Giga.
"We were trying to limit his minutes, so we don't get him to that injury thing. But it still happened," said Cone. (RG)
