Another New Guy for Ginebra: Jerrick Balanza Joins Gin Kings After Signing One-Year Deal

  • Feb 25, 2020
  • BASKETBALL
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For a guy who came back to playing basketball after successfully undergoing brain surgery due to a brain tumor, Jerrick Balanza certainly has that "Never Say Die" attitude. Why?

In his second NCAA game since abruptly ending Season 94 due to the discovery of the said tumor, Jerrick Balanza exploded for 31 points against then host school, the Arellano University, leading the eventual champions, Letran Knights to their first win of the season. And that was only the beginning as Balanza was one of the three unsung heroes who took down the mighty Red Lions of San Beda University in a classic Finals slugfest- en route to winning Letran's first championship since 2015. Now that he's about to start his professional career, Balanza will one edge that will help him along the way: his "Never Say Die" attitude.

Incidentally, "Never Say Die" is also the mantra of the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA and that, it was Ginebra who selected Jerrick Balanza in the second round of the regular draft of the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft.  And yes, LA Tenorio happens to be one of Letran's assistant coaches during their championship conquest last year and that's just a beautiful coincidence. 

After signing Arvin Tolentino to a one-year contract, the Gin Kings continued to pile up on the pieces to replace Teytey Teodoro and Julian Sargent who were released by the team and as expected the crowd darlings and Jerrick  Balanza agreed to a one-year deal. While he's still a rookie like Tolentino, Jerrick Balanza is expected to make it to Tim Cone's rotation primarily due to the fact that Teodoro and Sargent were no more in the team. 

What makes Balanza a good addition to Tim Cone's rotation is the fact that even in his height at 6 foot 3 at the small forward spot, he can dribble well as if he's Steph Curry.  Jerrick Balanza could present mismatches against opposing small forwards because he has the ability to dribble around like a point guard. 

Photo is from Rappler