Ginebra guard LA Tenorio. INQUIRER PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—After emerging victorious in their respective quarterfinal matches in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Jojo Lastimosa and Chris Newsome took time to acknowledge LA Tenorio’s battle against cancer.
In the post-game conferences of Meralco and TNT, Lastimosa and Newsome talked about Tenorio’s influence in the league as he’s forced to step away from the game momentarily to receive treatment for colon cancer.
“I think we got to point out something that’s bigger than basketball right now, which is LA Tenorio. Kuya LA has influenced a lot of us and he’s going through a hard time right now with his family,” said Newsome after Meralco’s 113-107 win over Magnolia at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
“PBA fam, everybody watching, keep your prayers and thoughts to Kuya LA. I think he needs all of us right now as a PBA family.”
On Tuesday, Tenorio announced he has been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.
Tenorio also stated that he has already undergone surgery and will be going through cycles of treatment in the following months.
Like the Bolts, Tropang Giga also secured its spot in the semis after trouncing Phoenix, 132-105.
Lastimosa swept away questions about the game for a while to wish Tenorio, who he spent time with since the former’s Alaska days in the PBA, well.
“We all feel for him and we’re all pulling for him. Knowing LA in our time in Alaska, I know he’s a pretty strong guy,” the top coach said.
“If there’s somebody who’s going to go through this problem, it’s LA. I think he’s built for this. LA, if this disease is going to come to somebody, LA is the guy who can take it. I just want to say that we’re saying a little prayer for him and his family,” he added.
Tenorio’s camp Ginebra will join TNT and Meralco in the semifinals as they face San Miguel in a best-of-five duel starting on Sunday.