THE mood inside the PhilSports Arena in Pasig two nights back felt different. While it was a Ginebra top-billed duel against Terrafirma in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, there were smiles on the fans’ faces–nearly all the Kings faithful–and even the security personnel and venue staff.
There were kids and families around, a scenario that could be mistaken for a reunion and, in a way, it was.
Everybody certainly felt good when Ginebra star LA Tenorio suited up for the first time after winning the biggest battle of his life against the Big C.
“I’m just happy and thankful for this na nabigyan uli ako ng pagkakataon na sino bang makakaisip nito, hindi ko nga naisip na makakalaro pa ako ulit while doing all my treatments and all throughout my journey,” Tenorio, who finished with six points in Ginebra’s 110-109 win. “So, I’m just grateful, thankful to God na binigyan niya ako ng another opportunity na makapaglaro ulit.
“Hopefully, I think that’s the one of the reasons why I decided to come back also is with that. It’s really more than basketball already. It’s not only about inspiring a lot of aspiring basketball players but it’s more on iyong sa mga taong nakaka-experience ng mayroon ako noong nagkaroon ako ng sakit,” he added.
Tenorio, 39, saw his record of playing 744 games straight ended last March, with the spitfire 5-foot-9 ace later ruled out of the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup due to an “aggravated sports hernia injury that required surgery.”
It turned out worse after he was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer–a deadly disease where cells have spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes, but they have not grown beyond the lymph nodes.
He sought medical treatment that included chemotherapy sessions in Singapore.
While away from the sport so dearly to him, Tenorio served as one of coach Tim Cone’s assistants with Gilas Pilipinas for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
Foremost among those Tenorio thanked, aside from his wife Chesca and their four children, is Cone whom he has played for since his early years with the defunct Alaska franchise up until now with the Kings where they have won together seven titles.
“He was there for me from the start. He guided me and hindi niya ako inilayo sa basketball. I was his assistant coach din during the finals last year and the Asian games ‘di ba?”
Tenorio said of Cone.
“So, thankful din ako sa kanya kasi hindi siya nag-doubt sa akin na I can be the same LA na kailangan niya dito sa team. Thankful lang talaga.”
Cone on his skipper’s return: “We know it’s an arduous journey to get back. Started in tears, now we have such joy for him getting back.”
Tenorio admitted he thought of calling it a career while recovering from cancer.
“While doing treatment I never thought of playing basketball talaga. I really focused on healing, on getting better, and getting back my health,” Tenorio said.
“Not because I want to play basketball. It’s really for my family– for my children, for my wife. Iyon ang naging focus ko. I really focused on healing.”
Celebrity Zanjoe Marudo, Ginebra great Mark Caguioa and former teammate Sol Mercado, and former Ateneo teammates and retired cagers Enrico Villanueva, JC Intal and Wesley Gonzales, and Paul Tanchi also showed up to support Tenorio.
At halftime, PBA chief Willie Marcial, Board of Governors vice chairman Bobby Rosales of the Dyip, and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua awarded the PBA Iron Man Award to Tenorio for playing 744 consecutive games since he turned pro in 2006.
“Hopefully, na-inspire ko sila na as long as we’re always positive, thankful and grateful sa araw-araw siyempre dasal lang hindi imposible, walang imposible sa dasal, iyon lang iyong masasabi ko sa kanila siguro iyon lang din ang purpose ko kung bakit pinabalik din ako ng Diyos na makapaglaro kasi it’s more than basketball, may ma-inspire ako outside of basketball na community,” Tenorio said. “So, sana marami akong na-inspire na kayang lumaban. Kaya naman, just stay positive, surround your loved ones, don’t take anything for granted every day.
“Iyon ang mga pinaka-importante na na-realize ko the past nine months. Hindi naman madali, wala namang madali pero hindi imposible na makabalik, hindi imposible na gumaling.”
While his amazing streak of not missing a game has ended, the PBA’s Iron Man has gained another chance.
Tenorio aptly called it a second wind and a second life. Iron Man 2, anyone?
