After six long months away as he had to undergo brain surgery, Jerrick Balanza has successfully returned, doing the thing he loves.
The athletic 6-foot-2 guard played for the first time since having brain surgery on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, when the Petron-Letran Knights faced the Che’lu Bar and Grill Revellers in the 2019 PBA D-League.
It wasn’t the welcome he wanted though as the Knights bowed, 94-96, but Balanza couldn’t help but express his gratitude.
“Siyempre sobrang thankful ako, lalo na kay God. Kasi ilan lang yung nabibigyan ng chance, lalo na sa pinagdaanan ko, ilan lang yung nakakabalik talaga na hundred-percent, ‘di ba?” he said.
“So kanina, nung naglalaro kami, sobrang excited ako.”
Balanza though admitted that he has yet to regain his old form, which had been evident with the way he played — he only shot 2-of-13 and finished with six points and two rebounds against five errors.
One of his misses from the field included his three-pointer from the top of the key with 2.7 seconds left, which could have given Petron-Letran a one-point win and a successful season debut.
Add to that the fear that he might get hit in the head.
“Ako kasi, eto yung pinaka-unang nilaruan ko talaga na may liga eh, so andun pa yung nangangapa pa ako, may pressure pa sa’kin. Minsan natatakot pa rin na ako na matamaan ako,” the 22-year-old expressed.
“Pero siguro mao-overcome ko rin.”
Balanza has returned to a Letran team that has undergone a major change in coaching, as Bonnie Tan has taken over the reins from Jeff Napa. But he doesn’t see any issue with it whatsoever.
“Sobrang okay kay Coach Bonnie kasi last year naman, part na rin siya ng team talaga namin kaya alam na rin niya yung mga strength at weaknesses ng bawat isa sa amin,” the Letran lifer said.
“At sabi nya lahat ng paraan para matulungan ako, gagawin niya.”
