For Balanza, second NCAA title is ‘sweetest’

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 20 Nov 2019 08:53:54 +0000

BY WAYLON GALVEZ

NOTHING beats that feeling of a first championship for the Alma Mater, but for Jerrick Balanza, his second title with the Knights was the sweetest.

Letran head coach Boni Tan hugs player Jerrick Balanza.  (Rio Deluvio)

In his fifth and final year with the school, the 6-foot-1 Balanza helped power Letran to a stunning 81-79 victory in Game 3 that dethroned heavy favorites San Beda for the NCAA Season 95 title Tuesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Balanza scored 27 points highlighted by a three-point shot late in the game, and then he came through with a huge defensive stop when he blocked the three-point attempt of San Beda’s Evan Nelle that sealed the victory – and the title – for the Knights.

“Of course hindi ko makaka-limutan iyung unang championship with Letran,” Balanza, who had little sleep since celebration of the championship feat, lasted until early morning Wednesday.

“Pero ngayon kasi, as team captain on my final year, iba yung pakiramdam. Napakasarap… sweetest for me. Final year ko and natulungan ko ang Letran na makapag-champion uli,” he added.

Balanza was a rookie when Letran captured the 2015 championship and he was a back up to now PBA players Kevin Racal, Mark Cruz and Rey Nambatac in beating San Beda also in Game 3.

This time, Balanza was the leader of Letran’s ‘Fab Five’ alongside Finals series MVP Fran Yu, fellow graduating player Bonbon Batiller, forward Jeo Ambohot and center Larry Muyang that gave Letran its 18th overall championship.

Letran celebrates after defeating San Beda in the NCAA Season 95 Finals Game 3 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, November 19, 2019 (Rio Deluvio)

Aside from Balanza and Batallier, backup big man Christian Balagasay also played his final year with Letran.

Even with their departure, Balanza said the Knights would still be a competitive team since it has enough tools to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1998 and 1999.

“Nandiyan pa naman sina Fran, si Larry and si Jeo, si Ato (Ular), King (Caralipio), Allen (Mina), Tommy Olivario, Kurt Reyson… of course iyung coaching staff led by coach Bonnie Tan,” said Balanza.

“May mga players din from Letran’s Team B na developed na, and probably may galing from the junior’s division. So sa tingin ko contender pa din ang Letran maski wala na kami.”

When the final buzzer sounded in Game 3, Balanza cried at midcourt, realizing all the sacrifices and hardships he had,
http://tempo.com.ph/feed/