‘Iron Man’ Tenorio defiant in battle vs. cancer, vows to return

PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial caught LA ​​Tenorio on what the Barangay Ginebra guard told him last Sunday.

“I’m going back to basketball,” Marcial quoted Tenorio as saying, two days before the 17-year veteran made the announcement via the league’s website that he would retire while battling Stage 3 colon cancer.

“And I believe him.”

The rest of the basketball community as well.

After all, this is the PBA “Iron Man,” a legacy that – Tenorio will now fight to prove – exceeds the 744 games he has played.

“I have not retired from the game I love, and with the help of the best doctors in the Philippines and Singapore, I believe I can touch the basketball again and come back strong,” Tenorio said in a statement released through the league. official site on Tuesday, when he announced his battle with cancer.

And the response from his friends was full of positives.

Naturalized Marc Pingris, Gabe Norwood and Andray Blatche, Tenorio’s teammates in the beloved Gilas Pilipinas squad that returned the Philippines to the World Cup stage after a decades-long absence, were among those who voiced their support for the multiple-time champion- blonde. .

“It’s just a prayer! You’re still strong, that’s why you’re an #ironman, we’re all here, so many people love you and pray for you!! See you at the pba game (Hopefully brother, everyone will be able to overcome this. That’s why you are #ironman. We are here for you, many love you and pray for you),” Pingris wrote on his IG account.

Stop speculating

Blatche also took to IG to post a photo of her and Tenorio while writing: “Keeping you in my prayers bro, get well soon.”

“Prayers for my man,” Norwood said on Twitter.

Tenorio ended speculation about his continued absence from Barangay Ginebra games that began when he missed a playdate against Meralco last March 1, the first time he missed a PBA game since his debut in 2006.

“I was recently diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. The initial test three weeks ago caused me to immediately miss practice and games,” Tenorio said to begin his statement. “I had surgery last week and will be undergoing treatment for the next few months.

“I have given not only 17 full years to the PBA, but have devoted my whole life to basketball. I have committed my body and health to the love of the game,” he said. “This has become my passion and love. Unfortunately, there are things that are out of my control. But with FAITH, I now lift everything up to God and I believe there is a higher purpose when I go through this part of my life.

Among those sending messages of support was bitter rival Chris Ross of San Miguel Beer, who has had countless duels with Tenorio at the point guard spot. Ross posted: “Praying for you bro!! I know you got this!! You’re a warrior bro! We’re all in your corner!!”

Pray brother!! I know you get this!! You are a warrior bro! We are all in your corner!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🖤🖤🖤 @LA_Tenorio

– Chris Ross (@cmross6) March 21, 2023

Jovial mood

Jimmy Alapag, retired Gilas and PBA point guard, uploaded a photo of him and Tenorio on Instagram saying: “Praying for you My brother.”

Marcial, who noted that Tenorio’s streak in games played does not include his appearances for the national team, said the wise-cracking playmaker was in his usual jovial mood when Barangay Ginebra eliminated NLEX in the quarterfinals of the Governors Cup.

“He didn’t let this take over,” Marcial told the Inquirer. “He is a fighter and I know he can beat this disease.

“It’s very sad to hear that. Situations like this happen in life and all we can do is pray for them. INQ

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