LA Tenorio had an unlikely miscalculation in a fastbreak play in Barangay Ginebra’s 103-93 win over NorthPort on Sunday when he decided to make a last-second pass when he could’ve taken the shot himself, leading to a turnover.
But mistakes like that hardly dampen the mood of the veteran point guard these days.
After all, he’s relishing every moment while on this miraculous comeback path from colon cancer.
READ Tony Bishop says banged-up knee won't be a problem
“It’s been fun,” Tenorio said with a smile after playing his sixth game since being declared cancer-free. “So far, so good. Unti-unti, nababalik yung timing, rhythm after eight months na nawala.”
Tenorio wound up scoreless after missing his three shots, but he dished out one assist and had one steal against one turnover in over 12 minutes of play in the Gin Kings’ third straight win, and seventh in 10 games, that kept them in the running for a twice-to-beat edge in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.
“I’m just happy na nakabalik ako and doing the things that I really love to do, which is basketball. Pero unti-unti, lalo na ngayong playoffs, medyo kailangan mag-adjust na rin,” he said.
“Syempre ayaw ko naman bumalik lang for the sake of going back to the game. Syempre gusto ko pa rin naman makatulong sa team, although syempre iba na rin,” the 39-year-old playmaker added.
“Kung ilang minuto man 'yan, I’ll do my best kasi it’s still a blessing na nandito pa rin ako still playing.”
When he wasn’t on the floor, Tenorio looked like an assistant coach standing beside head tactician Tim Cone, relaying his observations.
“Whatever na pwede ko maitulong sa team, whether it’s being a leader outside the playing court or inside, I’ll do it,” said the eight-time champion, who served as deputy to Cone in the Gilas Pilipinas team that won the gold medal at the last Asian Games.
“I think there’s a big purpose kung bakit nakabalik ako eh, maybe not in the basketball court, maybe off the court. Plus alam ko na rin papaano si coach Tim, sistema niya. Siguro ako pinakamatagal na nakasama niya aside from coaches like coach Richard (del Rosario),” he added.
Whatever role he plays, Tenorio is embracing the present and looks forward to the future after a roller-coaster 2023.
“It was not only career-threatening, but life-threatening. But nalampasan ko. Actually, kinalimutan ko na rin kung anong nangyari sa akin for the past year. Maraming natutunan, but in the end, we just have to move forward.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
