Joe Devance Returns to Ginebra for PBA Playoffs; Coach Yeng Questions Playoff Format
The PBA world is buzzing as Joe Devance, a veteran of Barangay Ginebra, makes his return to the court for the upcoming Governor’s Cup Playoffs. His reactivation has sparked excitement and debate, with fans eagerly awaiting his impact on the team’s performance.
Joe Devance’s Comeback to Ginebra
Joe Devance recently took to Instagram to announce his return to the PBA, revealing a memo from the league confirming his reactivation to play for Barangay Ginebra. The 42-year-old forward will be filling in for rookie Paul Garcia, just in time for the Governor’s Cup Playoffs. This announcement is a significant one, as Devance last played in 2021 and officially announced his retirement in 2022.
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Ginebra made this decision out of necessity due to a lack of reliable power forwards in their lineup, following injuries to players such as Isac Go, Raymond Aguilar, Jamie Malonso, and Jeremiah Gray. While Devance’s comeback is undoubtedly a welcome sight for many fans, there are concerns about his current fitness level and ability to perform at his best, given his age and time away from competitive basketball.
PBA Playoffs Set to Begin
The stage is set for the PBA Playoffs, which will begin shortly. In the first bracket, TNT Tropang Giga will face off against NLEX, while Rain or Shine is set to battle Magnolia Hotshots. These matchups have stirred excitement among fans, but not everyone is happy with how the playoff structure has been organized.
Coach Yeng Guiao’s Concerns Over Playoff Format
Coach Yeng Guiao voiced his concerns about the current playoff format during an interview with “Tie Breaker Times.” He questioned why the top teams from Groups A and B are in the same bracket, suggesting that the PBA should have taken a closer look at the format to avoid this situation. According to Coach Yeng, the league should reward top-seeded teams with a more straightforward path to the finals, as they have earned this advantage through their season-long performance. He believes that this oversight should be corrected in future seasons to ensure a fairer competition.
Ginebra vs. Meralco – A Rivalry Renewed
In the other bracket, the San Miguel Beermen will go head-to-head with the Converge FiberXers. Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra will face their long-time rivals, the Meralco Bolts. This matchup has fans excited, as they anticipate another intense showdown between Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee and Meralco’s Allen Durham.
The upcoming playoffs promise to be thrilling, with Joe Devance’s return adding an extra layer of excitement to Ginebra’s campaign. Fans eagerly await to see how this veteran forward will contribute to the team, and whether Coach Yeng’s concerns about the playoff format will lead to changes in future seasons.
Stay tuned for more updates as the PBA playoffs kick off, and don’t forget to cheer for your favorite teams!
