By JONAS TERRADO
Joe Devance hopes to be in perfect condition come playoff time after making his much-awaited return for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Sunday’s loss to Meralco at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Devance, who missed the first nine games of the PBA Philippine Cup after undergoing offseason foot surgery, had four points and three rebounds in 17 minutes but the Kings absorbed an 84-82 setback to the Bolts that halted their entry to the quarterfinals.
“I still have quite a bit to go. Just trying to work hard every day,” Devance said. “Hopefully when we make the playoffs, hopefully I’ll be hundred percent or close to it.”
The 11-year veteran was forced to go under the knife after dealing with a bunion on his left foot for most of last season. But the injury did not prevent him from playing a key role in Ginebra’s title victory in the Governors’ Cup.
His absence was severely felt this conference, especially when Ginebra had a stretch of four losses in five games after a 2-0 start.
Ginebra fans were probably optimistic when Devance finally suited up Sunday, despite the disappointing outcome, believing that his presence will eventually benefit the Kings in the games that mattered.
But first, the Kings will have to do their job on March 2 when they finish their elimination round campaign against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. A loss could still put them in danger of missing the quarters.
At presstime, only Kia is out of the running for the playoffs, leaving Ginebra and six other teams in contention for the four remaining quarterfinal berths.
“Hopefully we can regroup and get the next game,” he said. “We shot ourselves in the foot and put ourselves in a bad position, but hopefully we can get this next game and see where we land on the playoffs.”
But Ginebra hopes to see more consistent play from key players LA Tenorio, Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar and for Scottie Thompson to keep a series of strong production.
Meantime, Blackwater was playing Phoenix at presstime, hoping to score an important win.
