After beating cancer months ago, LA Tenorio has seen limited action with Ginebra in the PBA. But that does not diminish his importance for the team.
Early last year, LA Tenorio made a shocking announcement that he was taking a basketball sabbatical after being diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.
After scaling his life’s biggest hurdle, Tenorio has found himself back in the PBA Finals.
The Ginebra captain could not help but feel blessed.
“I’m just happy to be back in the Finals again, to still be part of the Ginebra team,” said Tenorio in the press conference Thursday, Oct. 24, for the Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals between the Gin Kings and TNT.
[ALSO READ: PBA: ‘Always ready’ LA Tenorio delivers for Ginebra when it matters most]
Tenorio continues to take on a leadership role for Ginebra, but, unlike before, he is fulfilling his duties mostly from the sidelines now.
After beating cancer months ago, Tenorio has seen limited action.
But, with his wealth of experience as a veteran in the team, his role as mentor of younger guards like RJ Abarrientos is invaluable.
[ALSO READ: From SoKor to PBA: RJ Abarrientos opens up about playing for Ginebra, bares future plans in Reddit AMA]
This adds up to the 40-year-old playmaker's excitement as he returns to the league’s grandest stage.
“I’m excited. It’s a different role for me this time. First time to be in the Finals with a different role for the team. I'm excited for that,” said Tenorio.
“To my teammates, to my younger players, excited for them also,” added the 5-foot-8 PBA great, who is gunning for his ninth championship.
Tenorio is bracing for an exciting battle ahead in his squad's best-of-seven finale rematch with the Tropang Giga.
“I just feel blessed and happy to be in front of you again here in the press conference. Looking forward to great games ahead of us in this finals series.”
The showdown kicks off on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Game time is at 7:30 p.m.