The 17-year PBA veteran remains in high spirits.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel superstar and Gilas Pilipinas legend LA Tenorio shocked the country’s sporting community on Tuesday when he announced that he has been diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. The eight-time PBA champion’s historic streak of consecutive games played ended at 744 when he missed Ginebra’s match against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governor’s Cup last March 1.
Of course, he’s not expected to suit up anytime soon. Tenorio, however, isn’t about to give up his reputation as the league’s ultimate Iron Man.
The tough-as-nails floor general, who has already undergone a successful operation, remains positive as always. That's according to Barangay Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua.
"He’s very strong. ‘Yung personality ni LA, I never saw himself pity, you know 'yung malungkot,” Chua told reporters on Wednesday.
But the good news doesn't end there.
“Just pray for him the recovery. He’s gonna start by April 5 or April 3 'yung chemo. But as of now, he’s zero cancer. Wala, malinis na siya. We’ll just pray," added Chua.
As the San Miguel Corporation sports director continued to give an update on the decorated point guard’s health status, he gave an anecdote, which attested to Tenorio’s incredible resilience.
“Talagang Iron Man. Sabi niya, ‘Babalik ako ng October.’ Very frankly, nung nalaman namin, ako 'yung unang nakaalam nung positive nga siya sa cancer, nag-practice pa. Nag-practice pa si LA, mga ilang ensayo pa ‘yun,” stated Chua.
Hearing Chua’s words is quite reassuring that Tenorio is built to get through his current ordeal. To see him back on the court in six months like he intends to will make for one of the best stories in sports. And knowing how clutch the 38-year-old cager is, we won’t be surprised if it happens.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)