Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio talks to teammate Scottie Thompson during the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—A testament to his iron will, LA Tenorio is keen on making his PBA return as early as October amid his battle with cancer.
Tenorio is undergoing chemotherapy in Singapore every two weeks after announcing he has been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer last March.
“Matagal pang proseso ito pero positive ako dahil so far maganda ang mga feedback ng mga doktor at syempre patuloy ang pagdarasal natin sa Diyos na mas bumilis pa ang paggaling ko,” the Barangay Ginebra guard said in the pilot episode of San Miguel Corporation’s latest vlog called Sa’n Si Miguel.
(It’s a long process but I’m positive because the doctors’ feedback has been good. And of course, I’ve been continuously praying to God for my speedy recovery.)
“Basta naman andyan ang suporta at dasal ng pamilya, mga kaibigan, Ginebra fans at San Miguel family ay laban tayo.”
(I will continue to fight through this as long as I have the support of my family, friends, Ginebra fans and San Miguel family.)
The 38-year-old Tenorio, who holds the PBA record with 744 consecutive games played, said he can’t wait to complete his treatments so he can gear up for his PBA comeback.
“Talagang hinahanap ng katawan ko ang paglalaro. Noong umabot nga kami sa finals last time ay talagang gustong gusto kong makatulong sa team,” Tenorio said.
(My body has been longing to play. When we made the finals last time, I really wanted to help the team.)
“Awa ng Diyos ay makakabalik ako sa October pero importante na tapos na ang gamutan at kailangan ko ulit na magpakundisyon dahil kailangan ay ready ako pag pwede na maglaro at makatulong talaga sa team.”
(With God’s grace, I hope to return in October but what’s important is to complete the treatments and get back into shape so I can play and help the team.)
With Tenorio sidelined, Barangay Ginebra failed to defend its Governors’ Cup title after falling to rival TNT in six games last month.
The new PBA season is set to tip off with the Commissioner’s Cup on October 15 about a month after the Fiba World Cup and a week removed from the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.