By Adrian Stewart Co
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings forward Joe Devance revealed that he tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, but is now on his way to recovery.
In a post on his YouTube account on Sunday, the Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native shared his tough ordeal with the virus as he admitted there was a point where he felt he is succumbing to the deadly virus.
“Last night (of my COVID-19 infection) was rough. I didn’t think I was going to make it out alive. I even sent a message to my wife cause I thought I was gonna die,” Devance said.
“I’m feeling a lot better, still not 100-percent, still winded, I get tired going up and down the stairs, but I’m feeling a lot better. And I think the worst has passed now,” added the veteran forward.
According to the 11-time PBA champion, he had a close contact with a friend who tested positive for COVID-19 and it was not long before the symptoms such as body aches, slight cough, chills, and headaches manifested.
“I thought I was gonna die the last few days, but I’m back,” said the 39-year-old Devance. “I’m real thankful for not having really bad symptoms, as far as getting hospitalized and all that kind of stuff.”
In the video, the 6-foot-7 forward also shared his bedside medications such as capsules of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, Tylenol, and melatonin. He also shared that he also put himself through steam therapy in his home sauna.
“It was tough at first. I was taking a lot of medication, vitamins, you know, all that good stuff. And now I’m feeling a lot better,” Devance said. “I’m a little bit worried because I heard about the symptoms even after you’re COVID-free.”
“I already have problems with my conditioning so I’m a little bit worried about that,” added the PBA veteran. “But we’ll see. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there. I just gotta fight this battle right now.”
Devance is among the first PBA players to come out publicly in his fight against COVID-19. Magnolia Hotshots center Ian Sangalang also revealed before in his YouTube channel his bout with the virus./ASC, WDJ