Joe Devance actually took painkillers in order to aid Ginebra in its crucial Game 3 match against TNT in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals against TNT.
Japeth Aguilar was gasping for air as he sat on the bench with still eight minutes left in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals between Ginebra and TNT on Friday, Nov. 1.
Fortunately for Aguilar, Joe Devance finally saw action and relieved him for more than 15 minutes as the Gin Kings scored an 85-73 win in the best-of-seven affair.
Devance finished with two points, a rebound, two assists and a steal.
Japeth Aguilar receives treatment in the first quarter of Ginebra's Game 3 joust with TNT in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
The 6-foot-9 beanpole Aguilar could not stress enough the importance of the veteran forward, who is nursing a knee injury.
“Grabe 'yung ibinigay niya sa team namin: 'yung experience niya and also a different look din inside. Very important si Joe,” said Aguilar of the 12-time PBA champion after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone echoed the sentiment.
Cone also revealed Devance took painkillers to be able to play in the crucial battle for the Gin Kings, whose backs are against the wall coming into the match.
“He’s taking pain killers to handle his knee. He’s doing everything he possibly can to play and to be ready,” said Cone.
“His teammates see that. They recognized that. I think that’s really a huge message he’s sending to our team.”
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But Ginebra still trails in the series after coming up on the losing end twice initially. That is why Cone would need all the help he can get to turn the series around for Ginebra.
“If he (Devance) can play eight 10, 12 minutes a game for us, that’s the time Japeth that needs to stay fresh on the court,” Cone said.
Game 4 is set on Sunday, Nov. 3, at the same venue.