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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Nearing PBA return, Tenorio looks back at emotional journey against 'Big C'

Nearing PBA return, Tenorio looks back at emotional journey against 'Big C'

Published Sep 20, 2023 07:59 am

At A Glance

  • LA Tenorio couldn't help but look back at the journey he had gone through during his seven-month fight against the "Big C".

LA Tenorio couldn’t help but look back at the journey he had gone through during his seven-month fight against the "Big C".

 

LA .jpg
LA Tenorio hopes to provide inspiration with his journey as a cancer survivor. (LA Tenorio's Facebook)

An emotional and unforgettable one at that for the PBA’s Ironman.

In a lengthy message posted on his Facebook account on Wednesday, Sept. 20, the veteran guard expressed his gratitude to all of the fans and supporters who rallied behind him in the journey which, in his words, gave him a different perspective in life.

“I am writing this message to everyone. For those who were my prayer warriors, for those who showed me so much love and support. Know that, I am forever grateful to all of you. My scan and last test results show no trace of cancer and that the treatment was effective. I am now in remission. Praise God!,” wrote Tenorio.

“My journey - from the tests, the surgery, the official diagnosis, to the 12 sessions of chemotherapy - was an experience I will never forget,” he furthered.

“It's the kind that marks us and gives us a different perspective in life. Just like many other cancer patients, there were bad days but all I can be grateful of is God gave me the power to continue my life as a father, provider, son, brother and friend to everyone around me all throughout the journey.”

Tenorio said a groin injury that ended his Ironman record of 744 straight games played came as a blessing in disguise as it prompted him to stop and listen to his body.

He was sidelined by the injury from then until he was discovered to have a tumor on his colon and eventually diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.

“2023 started off well winning the championship, but closed that conference with a groin injury. Who would have known that was God's way of knocking on my door giving me a sign to rest and mind my body. Soon after, I have been nursing a tumor in my colon,” Tenorio recalled.

“Feb 2023, for me, marks one of the hardest periods of my life. From not knowing the extent of cancer I have, to facing my wife and children everyday knowing I have a life-threatening disease,” he added

Even with probably the biggest challenge he had faced in life, Tenorio said his faith in God never wavered and, in fact, became his biggest comfort throughout the painful and grueling medication.

“One thing though I kept constant was God, my faith. I drew strength from Him. I entrusted everything to Him, believing everything has a purpose,” said Tenorio.

Now getting a clean bill of health to return to his usual life prior to his fight to the disease, Tenorio simply vowed to live his life with a greater purpose.

“Now, I am returning to basketball. For my love of the game. This time with a higher purpose,” said the 39-year-old playmaker.

“Not as the old LA, but hopefully with the new and better version of myself. I hope I can help inspire people through the game of basketball - that life, winning battles, winning championships - are all more meaningful not because of the end goal but because of the journey.”

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