JERRICK Balanza knows that he still has ways to go before getting back to his old form.
And after his atrocious 2-of-13 shooting in Petron-Letran's slim 96-94 defeat to Che'Lu Bar and Grill last Thursday, he knew he could not afford to take a dayoff.
"After ng game namin, di naman ako nagpahinga eh. Talagang nagtrabaho pa rin ako, jogging, weights, kasi alam kong mahaba pa yung hahabulin ko eh," he said.
Balanza more than made up for that off-night with a strong performance in the Knights' 108-91 victory over AMA Online Education on Tuesday to help his side chalk one in the win column in the 2019 PBA D-League.
The 22-year-old winger went on a better 6-of-10 clip to finish with 18 points and two rebounds in only his second game back after a six month-layoff from his brain surgery.
"Thank God, nagbunga naman," he sighed.
Balanza also credited the help of assistant coach LA Tenorio in building up his confidence as he gets himself back in the grind.
"Si coach LA, di siya nagkukulang sa amin. Pag pwede siya, talagang pumupunta siya sa practice namin. Sinasabihan niya kami, kahit water break nilalapitan niya kami," he said. "Iba pa rin yung may LA Tenorio ka na ganoon. Hindi na magda-dalawang isip yung utak mo na tama yung sinasabi nito. Pag sinabi niya, point na point talaga."
He needs everything of that and more as Balanza will now be counted on as one of the leaders for this young Petron-Letran team in the ongoing wars in the developmental ranks, as well as the upcoming NCAA season later this year.
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