BIGGER THAN BASKETBALL
Tenorio makes triumphant return after battle with Big C
For someone who had entertained the thought of never holding a basketball again and faced uncertainties not just for his career but for his life and family, setting his foot to the hardcourt again was beyond emotional for LA Tenorio.
Just as the fans, the PBA officials, his teammates, and the opposing players applauded Tenorio's presence as a starter against Terrafirma last Sunday, Dec. 3, the veteran point guard knew that his return was not anymore about himself but something way bigger than him.
Bigger than basketball.
“I think that's one of the reasons why I decided to come back also, is with that (being an inspiration). It's really more than basketball already. It's not only about inspiring a lot of aspiring basketball players but it's more on yung sa mga taong nakakaexperience ng meron ako nung nagkaroon ako ng sakit,” said Tenorio who successfully made his comeback after being diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer in March.
It took 287 days for Tenorio to finally step into the court again, but he knew that to some, the pain, the agony and stress may have been even longer.
And that’s why he’s hoping to provide some ray of hope and inspiration to those who are going through the same adversities.
Indeed, nothing is impossible. “Hopefully na-inspire ko sila na as long as we're always positive, thankful and grateful sa araw araw, syempre dasal lang. Hindi imposible, walang imposible sa dasal yun lang ang masasabi ko sa kanila,” said Tenorio.
“Siguro iyon lang din yung purpose ko kung bakit pinabalik din ako ng Diyos na makapag laro kasi, it's more than basketball. May mainspire ako outside of basketball na community so sana marami ako na-inspire na kayang lumaban,” he added.
As Tenorio continues his career with a rejuvenated mind and body, he realized that cancer is beatable, no matter how hard the battle is.
“Hindi naman madali. wala namang madali pero hindi imposible na makabalik, hindi imposible na gumaling,” he added.