After 42 days, Jerrick Balanza made his way back inside the Filoil Flying V Centre. Though he was not in uniform, the 22-year-old made sure to be there with the Letran Knights in their big game against the Lyceum Pirates.
For a week, Balanza has been itching to get out of his house to be with his brothers, and so he went to his doctor to get clearance from him.
“Feel ko talaga okay na ako last week pa, so kahit wala akong appointment sa doctor ko, pumunta ako ng Tuesday, sinabi ko na, ‘Doc nandito ako para mangulit, baka puwede mo na ko bigyan ng clearance kasi gusto ko na talaga makasama ang mga kapatid ko.’ ‘Sige’, sabi niya. ‘Pwede ka naman na lumabas basta sunurin mo yung tamang paginom ng gamot mo’,” Balanza shared.
“Okay naman na ako. Wala naman na akong nararamdamn. Feeling ko okay na ako, wala lang sa kundisyon.”
Balanza did not tell his teammates that he would be watching the game live. And he wanted to make sure to have a grand entrance. However, it was not meant to be.
“Kaya napatawag ako kay Father [Vic Calvo]. Ang plano ko talaga bibiglain ko sila na andito na ako at kumpleto tayo lalaban sa Lyceum, pero ang nangyari na-traffic ako,” he animatedly shared.
“Hindi ko talaga inagahan, gusto ko sana pagdating ko saktong palabas na sila.”
But what’s important is he made it to the game. And it was a thriller, as the game saw big time plays and high tense drama. As the dust settled, the Knights picked up an 80-79 triumph, handing their tormentors their second loss of the season.
“Nung inabutan ko sila, parang ‘di player ang pakiramdam ko kanina e.
“Naramdaman ko yung sinasabi ng mga fans na nate-tense sila e. Nate-tense talaga ako kanina, ito siguro yung sinasabi nila na tense. Ano sa tagal kong naglaro, ‘di ko naramdaman yun e,” shared the Letranite.
Balanza has been doing well since his surgery last September 8. For Balanza, it was all because of the people that have surrounded him.
“Ayun, sobrang bilis ng recovery ko. Dahil siguro maraming nagmamalasakit sa akin at nagdadasal. Thankful lang ako, sobrang blessed ko talaga.”
