By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Joe Devance is making a basketball return after two years, signing with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings ahead of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.

The Negros Occidental’s Escalante City native forward announced his Gin Kings return through a post on his social media account on Tuesday afternoon, September 24.

“Through it all it brought me back here! This is a surreal feeling I’m going through right now. This is the closure I wanted and needed,” Devance wrote on his Facebook page.

“I’m honored to have this chance. I’m going to give it everything I have one last time for my @pbaconnect brotherhood and @barangayginebra. Let’s see what we can do. #nsd #neversaydie,” he added.

The 42-year-old Devance’s return is a timely boost to the Gin Kings’ depleted frontline following injuries to Jeremiah Gray, Jamie Malonzo and George Isaac Go.

The 6-foot-7 Devance previously ended his 16-year PBA career in June 2022, leaving the professional league with 12 championships, all under the guidance of Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone.

The Gin Kings will face the Meralco Bolts in the best-of-five quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila beginning Thursday, September 26./ASC, WDJ