Former Letran players Jerrick Balanza (Ginebra), Christian Balagasay (Columbian), Bong Quinto (Meralco), Bonbon Batiller and JP Calvo (Columbian) at the PBA Media Day Thursday in Okada Hotel. (Waylon Galvez)
By WAYLON GALVEZ
It’s been three months since Jerrick Balanza and Bonbon Batiller helped Letran capture a title in the NCAA.
Still, the two share a common ‘ecstatic’ feeling but for different reasons since Balanza and Batiller are set to have their respective debut in the 45th PBA season next month.
“Medyo nasa shock pa ako,” said Batiller during the league’s Media Day Thursday at Okada Hotel in Pasay City. “Kagaya ngayon nakikita ko yung mga pinakamagagaling na players sa bansa, hindi rin ma-explain yung pakiramdam. Go with the flow na lang siguro.”
Three members of the Knights were selected in the last PBA Rookie Draft, with Christian Balagasay going to Columbian Dyip with the 12th overall pick, while Balanza went to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 13th overall selection – first in the second round.
Batiller, one of the top defenders in the collegiate ranks, likewise went to Columbian Dyip with the 25th overall selection and first in the third round.
He said that like other Filipino basketball players, making it to the pro league is a dream come true for him. The adjustment, he said, isn’t that tough since he has Balagasay and former Letran player JP Calvo as teammates at Columbian.
“Masaya na, eto napuntahan ko na yung pangarap ko makatuntong ng PBA. Nandito si Toto (Calvo) and yung isang teammate ko sa Letran, si Christian, kaya medyo hindi mahirap yung adjustment,” he said.
“Siguro kaya ako kinuha din ako ni coach John dahil sa intensity ko sa court, yun din gusto niya makita sa akin at madala ko sa team. Kaya palagi niya rin sinasabi sa akin na pag pinasok ako, bigay ko lang lahat lalo sa depensa.”
Batiller said he is excited to face onetime Letran stalwart Rey Nambatac and Ginebra’s veteran guard LA Tenorio, a member of the Knights’ coaching staff in the NCAA.
“Hindi kami nag-abot ni Rey pero kasi sobrang galing, napakabait na tao kaya gusto ko siya makalaro. Si coach LA naman, madami siya kasi tinuro sa akin lalo na sa depensa, kaya susubukan ko against him,” he said.
As for Balanza, he said that just being around new Ginebra teammate Tenorio and former league MVP Mark Caguioa is already a blessing.
“Ang pinagpapasalamat ko talaga yung inabutan ko pa sila kuya Mark, si coach LA, na pinapanood ko lang dati ngayon nakakasama ko pa sa ensayo, nakaka-usap ko pa,” he said.
“Madami ako natutunan dito, nandiyan na e. Sa college nasa peak kami lahat, magkaka-edad halos kami. Pero pagdating dito veterans halos lahat, kaya willing ako matuto.
“Ewan ko minsan baka nakukulitan na sila sa akin kasi alam ko na minsan, pero tinatanong ko pa din sila. Para lang sigurado. Gusto ko matuto habang andyan pa sila.”
Source: Manila Bulletin
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