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| Joe Devance is back as a player after two years. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
MANILA—It seems like Joe Devance's surprise visit to a Ginebra game last week was more than just a mere vacation itinerary.
The six-foot-seven forward announced on Tuesday that he will return to the team for the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals.
"This is a surreal feeling I'm going through right now. This is the closure I wanted and needed. I'm honored to have this chance," Devance said in a social media post.
As he revealed, Devance will take over the spot of rookie Paul Garcia, who has been relegated to the unrestricted free agent list.
Devance previously retired from playing in 2022, but despite deferring his retirement after two years, the 42-year-old former All-Star said that this will likely be his final run in the PBA.
"I'm going to give everything I have one last time for my PBA brotherhood and Barangay Ginebra. Let's see what we can do," Devance further said.
He also said that his upcoming PBA return will be special because his family will finally get to see him play live in the flesh either at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium or the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Ginebra will play Meralco in a best-of-five series beginning Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with Game 2 happening two nights later at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The next two games will be back at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, and if necessary, Game 5 will be played on Oct. 6 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The winner of the said series will take on the winner of the other 2-versus-3 series between San Miguel and Converge in the semifinals.
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