When the bright lights slowly turn gray, and the lively gallery shifts into hollow space, veteran basketball players who have seen the peak of their careers would usually savor the moment one last time and call it quits.
Some choose to settle down and retire, while others take a rather familiar route as coaches or role models of the sport.
But not LA Tenorio, who has battled it through a colorful 18-year career and topped it off with an emotional bout against the Big C.
Days ago, with knees packed with ice to help his body recuperate from the wear and tear, it was a quick pause Tenorio had needed after a heartbreaking 106-96 Ginebra loss against San Miguel Beer that pushed their title defense on the brink in the PBA semifinals one Friday night. He was back in the game.
After all, it was a moment that Tenorio never thought he would experience again after he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer almost a year ago. He underwent six months of therapy, grueling back and forth trips from Manila to Singapore where he had chemotherapy sessions every two weeks.
The adverse effects of the procedure were already punishing for his 39-year-old body, but even more was the tiring travel and, not to mention, the bigger headache of managing finances for the rounds of treatment.
Perhaps, having gone through all that in the past 10 months, Tenorio learned to enjoy and cherish every moment, not only in his career, but also in life.
“There are different perspectives in our lives. But I think, the bottomline is just being here and having fun while playing basketball. Just enjoying the moment every day, because I am thankful for every opportunity and blessing that I receive,” said Tenorio as he fondly talked about the lessons from his experience.
With a brighter glow on his face and glint on his eyes, Tenorio said he learned to just be grateful for everything.
“Just being grateful because sometimes we take things for granted," said Tenorio pausing for a moment, seemingly trying to have a quick recap in his memory of what had transpired in just a year's span.
“We don't realize the importance of the people around us, so I know I have to be grateful even for small things," he added.
Tenorio has been playing for two months now after being declared cancer-free. He was, however, still under maintenance checkup every now and then just to make sure that the disease won’t come back.
And, even now that he’s on remission, Tenorio is still clinging on to his faith which makes him believe that nothing is impossible.
“Just have faith and keep praying. That's what I do every day,” said Tenorio.
“To all the people who are also going through this challenge, have faith and keep on believing. God has a plan for us,” he added.