NITONG Miyerkules, isang malungkot at nakapanlulumong balita ang bumalot sa komunidad ng National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) partikular sa Letran makaraang mapag-alaman na ang fourth-year Letran Knight swingman na si Jerrick Balanza ay hindi na makakalaro sa NCAA Season 94 Seniors Basketball Tournament bunsod nang mabigat na karamdaman.

Sa resulta ng kanyang medical, nakitaan ng tumor sa utak si Balanza.

Agad namang inulan ng suporta at dasal hindi lamang ng mga Letranista kundi ng buong sporting community, ang 21-anyos na si Balanza na nagpaabot naman ng kanyang mensahe ng pasasalamat at inspirasyon.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share with you this news: Recently, I have been diagnosed with a brain tumor and will have to undergo surgery as soon as possible,” ani Balanza.

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“This doubly saddens me because I will no longer be able to continue playing for the Knights, this NCAA Season 94.

“I am very thankful for the support of my school – the Dominican priests, the lay officials, and the people who have showed love and care, including those on social media. It motivates me to keep faith, to be brave, to overcome this current challenge in my life,” aniya.

“I am filled with the Arriba Spirit: raising my prayers to God, asking Him to raise my body and soul in healing, and lifting the morale of our Letran community. As our coaches always say: Never give up! Never give in!”

Sinasabing ang tumor ay nakita sa “temporal lobe”— isa sa major lobes ng cerebral cortex.

Sa kasalukuyan, marami ng mga pledges para sa gagawing operasyon kay Balanza mula sa Letran alumnus at sa NCAA.

Hinihiniling na lamang ni Balanza ay dasal upang malagpasan ang kinakaharap na pagsubok.

“I am grateful for those who are helping me, spiritually, financially, morally. My only request is for everyone – especially my fellow Letranites – to pray for me, to pray with me, for my healing and recovery and return to active play,” wika ni Balanza.

“I am very happy, despite the challenges, especially to have my Alma Mater, Letran, the school whose name I have carried since high school, backing me up, encouraging me to get well, to have a speedy recovery. I will always remember this moment,” wika pa nito.

“Salamat po, mahal kong Letran! Sobrang sarap maging Letranista! Siempre Arriba!”

Ayon kay Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, Letran’s representative to the NCAA Management Committee, na nasa pangangasiwa ni neuro-surgeon Dr. Manuel Mariano si Balanza na mangangailangan ng operasyon para maalis ang naturang tumor.

Tangan ng 21-anyos na si Balanza ang averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds at 2.2 assists sa unang round ng NCAA. Pansamatala siyang pinalitan ni reserve Gaylord Pambid.

“Yes, we need him (Balanza), but his health is our primary concern,” sambit ni Calvo.

Ayon kay Calvo, mangangailanag ng malaking halaga si Balanza sa kanyang operasyon.

“Initially, P800,000 was the cost given to us but since the neuro-surgeon, Dr. Manuel Mariano, is from Letran and was recently awarded as an outstanding alumnus, it was cut to P500,000,” sambit ni Calvo.