LA Tenorio’s cancer diagnosis came as a shock to the basketball community, but the PBA player believes he will return stronger.
The entire sports community was stunned when news broke about LA Tenorio’s cancer diagnosis.
Yesterday, LA Tenorio published a statement on the PBA’s official website to personally make the announcement to the public himself.
Following his announcement, here is what we know so far about LA Tenorio’s cancer diagnosis:
Stage 3 Colon Cancer
In his official statement, LA Tenorio shared that he was diagnosed with colon cancer, which is the main reason as to why he had to miss practices and games.
“I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. The initial testing three weeks ago led me to instantly miss practices and games. I have completed my surgery last week and will soon undergo treatment for the next few months,” he expressed in his statement on the PBA’s website.
It can be recalled that earlier this month, the PBA’s Ironman ended his streak of 744 games played consecutively owing to a groin injury.
On the road to recovery
In the same statement, LA also revealed that he has already completed surgery last week and he will now undergo treatment and recovery for his condition in the coming months.
Ever since he joined the league, he has very rarely missed games. With his commitment to the game, he holds eight championships with the Alaska Aces and Barangay Ginebra.
But now, with recovery as his main priority at the moment, LA Tenorio will continue to sit out PBA games to focus on his health.
“I have given not only 17 full years to the PBA, but have dedicated my whole life to basketball,” he said in his statement. “I have committed my body and health for the love of the game. It has been my passion and love. Sadly, there are things beyond one’s control. But with my FAITH, I am lifting everything to God now and I believe there is a higher purpose as I go through this part of my life.”
One Big Fight x NSD
True to form as both a former Blue Eagle and a Ginebra Gin King, LA had this to say “I am not yet retiring from the game I love, and with the help of the best doctors in the Philippines and Singapore, I believe I can touch a basketball once more and return stronger.”
Even for the healthiest of us, there are really things that we cannot be sure of. However, what LA can be sure of is that the entire Filipino sports community is pulling for him.
Banner image from SBP on Instagram.
Related Stories:
Built on the Backyard: How Kyle Travis came full circle with the game of basketball
Free to Dream: Anta Shocks the Game with new 4×4 basketball tournament
The FIBA World Cup Draw: How Does it Work?