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Injured Devance ‘doubtful’ for Ginebra do-or-die vs Alaska

Jane Bracher

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Injured Devance ‘doubtful’ for Ginebra do-or-die vs Alaska
'He's doubtful [for Tuesday's game]. We'll see how he can manage the pain,' says head coach Tim Cone

MANILA, Philippines – Veteran forward Joe Devance is “doubtful” to suit up for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel when it plays for the last semifinals berth against second seed Alaska Aces on Tuesday, February 7 at 7 pm.

“He’s doubtful [for Tuesday’s game]. We’ll see how he can manage the pain,” head coach Tim Cone told Rappler in a text message late Monday night.

Devance, 34, injured his foot at the 7:31 mark of the third quarter in game 1 of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Sunday. Devance, who was assisted by his teammates straight to the locker room, did not return to the game.

The broadcast report said Devance felt extreme pain when putting weight on his left heel.

Cone has yet to confirm the official diagnosis but previously noted Devance has been dealing with bone spurs prior to Sunday’s quarterfinals.

“He’s been battling bone spur in his ankle and he had an injection before the game just to get ready for this game so I don’t know what has happened,” Cone said after Ginebra’s victory on Sunday.

Devance’s injury came right before the Gin Kings’ huge rally that overturned a 17-point deficit and forced the rubber match against the twice-to-beat Aces.

Cone has been prepared as early as Sunday to do battle without Devance.

We’ve been ‘next man up’ ever since Greg (Slaughter, knee injury) went out, then Japeth (Aguilar, elbow) went out for a while, and now Joe’s gone,” Cone said immediately after game 1. “And Joe looks like he might be out, so again it’s the next guy up.”

Devance finished with 10 points during that game and normed 12.5 points with 6.4 rebounds and 3.8 assists in the eliminations.

The winner between Alaska and Ginebra will go on to face the Star Hotshots in a best-of-7 semifinals series. – Rappler.com

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