Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Jerrick Balanza says ‘underdog’ Letran will not back down vs San Beda


After four years, Jerrick Balanza and Letran are back in the big dance of the NCAA. And they had to go through a lot to get to this point. 

For starters, the Knights had to run the gauntlet of San Sebastian and Lyceum to book a date with arch-rivals San Beda Red Lions.

Then there’s Balanza, who had to go through a lot just to play in his final year of duty for the Colegio.

“Sinabi ko dati na ‘di na ako nape-pressure sa dami ng pinagdaanan ko. Pero as a captain, grabe.

“Pumasok sa isip ko lahat ng nangyari sa akin at yung plano Niya. Kaya Niya ako binigyan ng sakit at kaya ako nakabalik para dito sa championship. Nawala ‘yung pressure sa akin, ramdam ko ‘yung presensya Niya, hanggang pagkatapos ng laro kaya naiyak ako eh. Naramdaman ko ‘yung presence ni God ulit,” shared the 23-year-old after Letran’s 82-77 semis win over Lyceum last Friday.

Balanza himself knows that Letran will be the underdogs against the mighty San Beda squad, who swept the elimination round.

NCAA-7TH-PHOTO-BALANZA-YU Jerrick Balanza says 'underdog' Letran will not back down vs San Beda Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

But unlike the eight other teams in the Grand Old League, the Knights have kept closest with the Red Lions. They only lost by an average margin of 8.0 points per game — including a 66-70 loss during the first round.

“Ang Letran, sanay na underdog ‘yan. Wala kaming foreign player, so talagang puso lang labanan, patapangan, pangil sa pangil. Sa tagal ko sa Letran, ‘yun ang natutunan ko — kung paano lumaban ng tama.”

Balanza knows how hard it is to topple a San Beda team. But it is possible.

#ReadMore  La Salle bounces back; Lyceum starts to pick up form

Back in his rookie year, he and a ragtag Letran squad toppled a highly-touted San Beda team that included the likes of Ola Adeogun, Art Dela Cruz, and Baser Amer.

With this, the Letran skipper firmly believes that lightning will strike twice for him.

“Yes, ako confident ako. Positive ako lagi. Ganoon pa rin naman. I-motivate ko ‘yung team ko na maging positive, ‘di man kami nanalo sa kanila sa dalawang beses sa eliminations,” he expressed.

“Makakabawi kami sa championship ng dalawang beses kung sakali, pero paghihirapan namin.”

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

By: Luis Licas Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s loyal Knight will have his hands full in the coming months. Long-tenured mentor Allen Ricardo...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan de Letran did not look far during its search for a new Knights head coach. The 20-time NCAA seniors basketball...

Basketball

De La Salle University parted ways with one of its future foundations on Monday evening. Multiple sources closely monitoring the situation confirmed to Tiebreaker...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan has scored a blue-chip recruit. Chris Hubilla will no longer head to University of the Philippines for college, instead committing...

Basketball

Colegio de San Juan de Letran continued its rebuild on Tuesday, securing the transfers of two former UAAP players. Drex Delos Reyes and Emman...

Basketball

The rebuild of Colegio de San Juan de Letran continues. Hours after securing the commitment of Mark Omega, the Knights have also secured the...

Basketball

The reunion of two Squires will not push through. Shawn Umali has decided to transfer to College of Saint Benilde, while Mark Omega will...

AU

The National Collegiate Athletic Association of the Philippines (NCAA) is contemplating a significant calendar shift for its centennial season, particularly concerning the seniors’ basketball...

Advertisement