Jerrick Balanza’s only concern is finding his place in Magnolia after playing his first game with the perennial contenders on Sunday.
The 27-year-old winger is just focusing on what lies ahead with his new team after being traded for the third time in his budding PBA career when Converge dealt him in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick last Thursday.
“‘Di naman ako na-down… Professionalism lang pinairal ko,” he said.
“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, no time magmukmok. Dapat laban lang nang laban. ‘Yun naman ang buhay basketball. Importante nakakapag-basketball ako ngayon.”
Balanza did admit, though, that he was initially surprised upon learning about the trade that eventually ended his reunion with college coach Aldin Ayo.
But he made it a point to process everything before going home, and soon was able to recalibrate his focus toward the Hotshots.
Magnolia had initiated the trade to address their manpower problems brought about by injuries.
“Medyo na-shock ako pero bago ako umuwi inayos ko na sarili ko,” said the Letran product, who was drafted by Ginebra in 2019.
“Dapat paguwi ko sa bahay – nandoon mga anak ko at asawa ko, dun tunay na buhay ko e – ‘di ako nagpakitang down,” he added.
“Nagusap lang kami ng asawa ko anong magandang gawin. Nagfollow naman magandang nangyari.”
Balanza did have himself a fitting debut as Magnolia beat Phoenix , 107-93, for its first back-to-back wins in the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
He played for 14 minutes and 52 seconds and scored just two points. However, Coach Chito Victolero said that his presence alone is big, especially for a team that’s slowly getting its injured wingers back such as Aris Dionisio.
“‘Yung presensya ni Jerrick malaking tulong sa amin, yung kanyang offensive reads. Para kahit papaano, makaikot kami ng tao,” he said.
Now it’s about finding his place in the league.
“‘Di pa naman masasabi na sobrang fit ‘di ba? Pero at least nakita ko game, alam ko anong adjustment gagawin ko.
“Kasi bilang basketball player, iba talaga ‘yung practice at pagdating ng game talaga. Adjust lang talaga ako. Adjust muna ako tapos tinignan ko next game kung anong mangyayari,” said the 6-foot-3 Balanza.
