After surviving brain tumor, Letran hero Jerrick Balanza completes storybook ending

Jerrick Balanza stood tallest after exploding for 27 points as the Letran Knights spoiled the San Beda Red Lions' bid for a fourth straight title in the NCAA Season 95 men's basketball tournament.

The Knights once again foiled the Red Lions after an 81-79 thriller at Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.

This is Balanza's second championship at the expense of San Beda.  As a rookie, he was part of the Letran team that won the NCAA Season 91 championship in 2015.

Jerrick Balanza was in tears after the Knights' title win over San Beda. Zeke Alonzo

But before his biggest moment, Balanza had to go through an operation that nearly ended his life and career.

"Sinabi ng doktor na puwedeng 'di na ako maglaro kasi kung maglalaro raw ako at tamaan ako, 'di masasabi kasi puwede akong mag-collapse na lang sa loob ng court," he said in Chino Trinidad's report on "24 Oras" last March.

In Season 94, Balanza was one of the Knights' key veterans in his fourth season. But in September last year, the 6-foot-2 guard was diagnosed with a brain tumor and had to undergo surgery.

"May nakita ngang something pero hindi malaman kung ano 'yon noong una so ang ginawa sakin is MRI with contrast tapos doon na lumabas 'yong tunay na nakitang mayroon ngang tumor," he said.

Balanza almost lost everything, but the fighter in him just kept on and his love for basketball prevailed.

After his operation, he could not believe that he was given a second chance in life and another opportunity to continue his career. The tumor turned out to be benign.

"Naiyak talaga ako. Nagulat nga 'yong mga tao doon na napasigaw ako noong nabasa ko ('yong results)," he said.

Balanza came back to playing and became an even better player than he ever was.

"Sabi ko, mahal ko 'tong basketball. Kung tamaan ako dito, kung mamatay ako, at least mamamatay ako sa ginusto ko," he said.

"'Pag baller ka, kailangan talagang fighter ka eh. 'Di puwedeng mahina ang loob mo kasi 'di ka tatagal sa laro 'pag ganoon," he added.

According to Balanza, his family and his faith in God are the reasons he's still fighting.

"Lalong tumibay 'yong panalangin ko sa Kanya saka panananampalataya. 'Di lang ako, pari na rin 'yong pamilya ko." —Ma. Angelica Garcia/JST, GMA News