PBA legend LA Tenorio ecstatic to see volleyball’s growth in PH
PBA legend LA Tenorio during a PVL quarterfinals game at Philsports Arena, showing his support for Philippine volleyball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — LA Tenorio relished his time watching the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) on Tuesday.
Tenorio, who plays for Ginebra in the PBA, was in attendance at Philsports Arena in Pasig to support Creamline star Alyssa Valdez, who recently guested the veteran point guard in an insightful podcast about their lives as athletes.
“I’m here because of Alyssa. I wanted to see her play after her long injury. We talked about it, and I promised her I would come watch. So far, it looks like she’s not injured, and she seems to be doing well,” said Tenorio in Filipino.
READ: PVL: Creamline beats Chery Tiggo for Meneses’ 100th win
LA Tenorio is here to support Alyssa Valdez and the whole PVL. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/gInwPxPsi9
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 18, 2025
Tenorio added that he also rooted his friends Pauline Gaston and Jen Nierva of Chery Tiggo while adding he’s showing his full support for Philippine volleyball as a whole.
“I’m not here to support just one team; I’m here supporting the PVL in general. It’s exciting that we have this kind of sport to watch besides basketball. I hope the people in the Philippines continue to support not only basketball but also volleyball, whether it’s men’s or women’s. Filipino athletes really need the support of the whole country,” he said.
The eight-time PBA champion is happy to see the rise of volleyball as one of the Philippines’ most revered sports alongside basketball.
“As an athlete, I’m happy to see volleyball growing. Aside from basketball, it’s great that we have other sports gaining popularity here in the country. Events like the PVL give a huge boost to Philippine sports. It’s really important for athletes like me to see this growth,” said Tenorio.
“Before, it was all about basketball, but now we have volleyball and other sports are growing too, like boxing on an individual level.”
READ: PVL: Sherwin Meneses hopes for more wins as he sets milestone
Alyssa Valdez on LA Tenorio’s support. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/LdsfERyN7N
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 18, 2025
Three-time PVL MVP Valdez, who scored 16 points in the Cool Smashers’ 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 win over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in Game 1 of their All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals series, was grateful for Tenorio’s support.
“It’s always great to see athletes supporting each other. It’s just nice to be surrounded by such great athletes who are humble and inspiring.
Kuya LA is a legend in this community, and hearing those words from him really shows the level of quality in the sports we’re experiencing,” said Valdez. “The games in volleyball are amazing, and if an athlete like him was encouraged to watch I hope more people will support both women’s and men’s volleyball, as well as beach volleyball.”
Valdez and Tenorio achieved a lot in their respective pro leagues for their crowd-favorite clubs and brought honor to the country through their national team stints.
Tenorio calls for more support not just in basketball and volleyball but for other sports, too.
“I hope we continue to see more events like this, supported by the people in the Philippines. It really lifts the morale of Filipino athletes,” he said.
