LA TENORIO’S former college coaches at Ateneo are praying for the Barangay Ginebra guard to win his battle against Stage 3 colon cancer.
Meralco coach Norman Black said he was left devastated when he learned about the health challenge of his former starting guard after the Bolts finished practice on Tuesday ahead of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal against Magnolia.
READ: How LA revealed cancer battle to teammates at Ginebra practice
“I’m always close to LA so I was pretty devastated to be quite honest with you to hear that somebody who is so strong is now going to be struggling with colon cancer,” said Black, who coached Tenorio in his final year with the Blue Eagles in 2005.
“I’ve always been close to his family and that includes his wife and his kids. I’m just devastated,” Black added.
Called as the PBA’s Ironman, Tenorio revealed he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer just weeks after his record streak of consecutive PBA games played ended earlier this month at 744 games.
Black said he is praying that everything works out well for Tenorio.
“All we can do at this moment is just pray that everything works out for him and stay healthy and stay with us. Obviously, when you hear about his condition, you get worried immediately,” said Black.
Phoenix Super LPG coach Jamike Jarin is also praying for the speedy recovery of Tenorio. Jarin was an assistant coach at Ateneo in all the five seasons that Tenorio was with the Blue Eagles from 2001 to 2005
“I was able to coach him for five years in the Ateneo. I was also a part in him going to the Ateneo. Actually, I was saddened. An Ironman like him, he had the record, never missed a game, and then all of a sudden,” said Jarin, his voice tailing off.
“We are all behind him. Prayers for him. Prayers for his family. And because of his attitude, his winning attitude, he will win this. I’m sure we will see him soon playing again and being the starting point guard for Ginebra,” said Jarin.
Jarin was able to coach Ateneo after the Blue Eagles successfully recruited him from San Beda high school.
“We were looking for a point guard during that time. We lost BJ Manalo to La Salle. We were really looking for a true point guard. We had Epok Quimpo as one of our point guards. But we lost Paul Tanchi on the final year. We really needed a point guard.”
“[Then Ateneo coach] Joe Lipa was all over him. And we were fortunate enough that he agreed to play for Ateneo and won a championship with Ateneo,” said Jarin.
Jarin is also confident that his former player's personality and faith will help him beat cancer.
“LA has been captain ball in grade school, high school, college. He has always been a leader. He has always been a winner. He comes out with a win. With this right now, I feel that he is going to come out really strong and he is going to win,” said Jarin.
"Prayers for him and for the family."
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