Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Letran’s starting forward Jerrick Balanza will miss the rest of the NCAA Season 94 men’s basketball tournament due to a “tumor found in his temporal lobe of brain.”
Fr. Vic Calvo, OP, Letran’s representative to the NCAA Management Committee, announced the tragic development Wednesday following a diagnosis from neuro-surgeon Dr. Manuel Mariano.
The 21-year-old Balanza, who is in his fourth year, is a vital part of the Knights, averaging 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in the first round where Letran went 6-3.
“Yes, we need him, but his health is our primary concern,” said Calvo.
Balanza is in need of financial assistance with his operation costing him at least P500,000.
“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. Peter Cayco is helping because he knows people from the hospital,” Calvo said.
Letran has already asked for the approval of NCAA mancom chair Frank Gusi of host University of Perpetual Help to allow Gaylord Pambid to replace Balanza in the Knights’ roster.