Photo by Angela Davocol
After playing through adversity and scoring an inspirational win, the Letran Knights went straight to National Kidney and Transplant Institute to surprise their ailing brother and celebrate his birthday.
“Siempre, sobrang saya ko kasi kanina ko na naramdaman ‘yung pinanghinaan na ako ng loob, pero si God talaga may perfect timing talaga eh,” said an emotional Jerrick Balanza in an exclusive interview with The LANCE.
“Tulad niyan, ngayon alam mo iniisip ko kung paano ako matutulog kasi sa mga nalaman ko pero nag punta kayo, nag punta sila [Knights] dito. So timing ‘din talaga, ang ganda ‘din ng timing nang punta niyo sa akin,” he added.
The Knights, after dominating the Arellano University Chiefs, 99-82 on Thursday, rushed straight to the hospital to visit Balanza before his operation.
“Birthday ni Jerrick so isu-surprise namin siya, pupunta kami sa kanya sa ospital kasi yun nga sabi ‘din ni coach Jeff kanina, nalaman namin na after ng operation niya, one week namin siyang ‘di makikita,” said team captain Bong Quinto.
Despite everything, Balanza remains positive as he was still able to crack some jokes, saying: “Kahapon wala akong tissue dito eh ngayon may tissue na ako kasi nag start na akong mag-iiyak eh.”
On a lighter note, the 22-year-old swingman thanked his teammates for visiting him despite a grueling game against the Chiefs.
“Pero ‘yun na nga, salamat nagpunta kayo [Knights] kahit ‘di pa kayo kumakain. Alam ko pagod kayo, dahil ‘yung laban kanina ‘di naman ganun ka-gaan eh. ‘Di naman binigay sa inyo, nung huli nalang,” Balanza bared.
Before he goes under the knife, Balanza wishes his teammates good luck in their battle against arch rival San Beda Red Lions on Tuesday and for the rest of the second round.
“Good luck, lalo na San Beda kalaban natin. Ako isa ‘din ‘yan sa favorite kong kalaban, San Beda. Pero wala ako, alam ko naman na kayang kaya ng mga boys ‘yan,” said Balanza, as he puts his faith to his brothers-in-arms.
“Ano na ‘yan, mark na nila ‘yan, sa amin na ‘yung game na ‘yan kasi wala nang tatalo sa amin ngayong second round. Alam ko naman na ayaw na nilang matalo ngayon, basta kami pa ‘din magcha-champion ngayon kahit nandito ako,” he added.
(With reports from Angela Davocol)
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