11 November
By Angelli Ojastro
Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights snatched the first win in the best of three games of the NCAA finals last Tuesday.
Being the first team to hand San Beda its first loss of the season, the Muralla-based Knights didn’t mind that none of them was part of this year’s mythical five. Letran’s team captain and graduating guard, Jerrick Balanza stated that it doesn’t matter who become their best player as long as they win.
“Sinasabi sa amin ni coach, “Aanhin niyo yung awards? Wala naming Mythical Tea sa inyo pero tayo pa rin naman yung maglalaro ng finals.” May award ka nga, wala ka naman sa finals, so wala rin.”
Right now, all they wanted to do is to repeat the Cinderella story that happened four years ago who overcame the odds against the defending champs, San Beda Red Lions.
“Ang Letran, sanay na underdog yan. Wala kaming foreign player so talagang puso lang ang labanan – patapangan, pangil sa pangil,” Balanza said.
For Balanza, all he wants is for their team to remain positive whatever the outcome will be. After all, he is an epitome of facing the harsh reality of life when he overcome his brain surgery return to represent Letran for one last time.
“Kaya niya ako ako binigyan ng sakit at kaya nakabalik para dito sa championship.”
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