Knights persevere, persist, prevail

MANILA,Philippines — Letran’s recent success story in the NCAA was largely about second chances.

Jerrick Balanza, Fran Yu and Bon Bon Batiller, vital cogs in the Knights’ title-clinching 81-79 victory over the San Beda Lions Tuesday, were all dealt a bad hand in life but they persevered, persisted and prevailed in the end.

Balanza, who delivered a tour de force performance in Game Three, almost gave up basketball after a tumor was found in his brain late last year.

And while he had a successful surgery, there was no certainty if he could still return to the game he loved most.

But he kept the faith.

And Balanza did not just return; he was instrumental in the game that mattered most and came through with a performance to remember by dropping 27 points including that booming triple that gave his team enough cushion in the end to weather a late San Beda storm.

“I envisioned winning the NCAA championship after my operation and I’m glad I helped it make a reality,” he said.

Meanwhile, Yu almost left the team when Bonnie Tan was named concurrent coach and manager of Letran early in the year. “I almost left the team. Good thing I decided to return and coach (Tan) gave me another chance,” said the 21-year-old Yu.

If he hadn’t, Yu wouldn’t have won the Most Improved Player and Finals MVP awards and the biggest plum of all – the NCAA championship.

Batiller, for his part, dealt with a rejection after he was dropped by University of the East two years ago. Good thing Jeff Napa, Tan’s predecessor, took a chance on him.

“I just want to thank coach Jeff Napa because when I was removed by UE and felt like garbage, he picked me up and took care of me,” said Batiller.