Lewis Alfred “LA” Vasquez Tenorio, the veteran point guard for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), announced on Wednesday that he is cancer free.
Tenorio, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in March 2023, underwent surgery and chemotherapy. He missed the remainder of the 2022-23 PBA season, including the Gin Kings’ run to the Governors’ Cup finals, where they lost to TNT.
In a statement, Tenorio thanked his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and fans for their support during his battle with cancer.
Sept. 19, 2023, as I step out of my doctor’s clinic with my wife, and as my nurse pulls out my chemo line plugged into my heart for 6 months, I am writing this message to everyone.
For those who were my prayer warriors, for those who showed me so much love and support…Know that, I am forever grateful to all of you.
My scan and last test results show no trace of cancer and that the treatment was effective. I now in remission. Praise God!
Tenorio is a 17-year veteran of the PBA. He has won eight championships with Ginebra, including three Governors’ Cups. He is also a four-time Finals MVP. In the same statement, Tenorio said that he will have a basketball comeback.
Now I am returning to basketball for my love of the game. This time with a higher purpose. Not as the old LA, but hopefully with the new and better version of myself. I hope I can help inspire people through the game of basketball – that life, winning battles, winning championships are all more meaningful not because of the end goal but because of the journey.
Its unclear if LA will be suiting up for Ginebra as a player or part of the coaching staff and when, but regardless of the position, LA Tenorio’s return will be a major boost for Ginebra, which is looking to win its third consecutive Governors’ Cup title in 2023-24.