THE irony of life.
For someone who almost gave up playing basketball not too long ago, it was but fitting that Jerrick Balanza ended up being picked by the team known for its never-say-die spirit.
The two-time NCAA champion from Letran was selected in the second round by Barangay Ginebra in last year's PBA draft, a turn of event the rookie guard considered as a blessing.
Not only did he join the league's most popular ballclub, he's now playing under the most accomplished coach in PBA history in Tim Cone.
"Sobrang sarap. Hindi ko rin kasi akalain na kay coach Tim ako makakalaro. Dati nanonood lang ako, siya (Cone) yung nakikita ko," said Balanza.
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"Ngayon kapag nagpa-practice kami, kinakausap niya na din ako. Tinuturuan na niya ako, binibigyan niya ako ng advice," he added. "Kaya sobrang grateful ko rin dahil sa kanya rin ako napunta."
And to think he was on the verge of quitting the game two years ago after undergoing surgery to remove a tumor on his brain.
Then after coming back from a career-threatening procedure, he helped Letran win the 2019 NCAA men's basketball championship with an upset of defending champion San Beda.
Now, he's a certified Ka-Barangay.
No wonder, he can't help but be thrilled when the league kicked off its 45th season last March, but only for the Philippine Cup to be shut down indefinitely following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Balanza admitted looking forward to the Kings' first game of the season against Blackwater last March 14 in Bataan which eventually was eventually cancelled.
"Sobrang excited ko lalo na bago pa magka-pandemic kasi ilang araw na lang yun bago yung laro namin sa Bataan tapos na-hold na yung season," he said.
The indefinite suspension of the PBA season is just another hump on Balanza's career.
Just like in the past, he expects to emerge a better person out of it. (RG)
