DESPITE issues bugging the country’s basketball campaign in the Asian Games, national team coach has one important reason to smile.
“We have a really good news, LA [Tenorio] is now cancer-free,” said Cone, breaking the tense mood in Tuesday’s press conference at the Philippine Basketball Association’s Quezon City office where league and basketball officials made important announcements on the Hangzhou 19th Asian Games participation.
“His last PET [Positron Emission Tomography] scan he took today was great. He’s cancer free and he’s still in Singapore,” Cone said. “He finished all of his chemotherapy sessions and he’s been declared cancer-free.”
Cone said Tenorio could be back in Ginebra San Miguel uniform for PBA’s 48th season that starts next month.
“He was informed by his doctors that he can start practising in three to four days,” he added.
Cone wanted to bring Tenorio with him to Hangzhou as one of his assistants but his top point guard is not accredited.
“The only problem is LA is not on the list [coaches],” Cone said. “We cannot include you in the national team. But I would have put him in the Asian Games team, he knows our system more than anybody.”
Tenorio was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer last March, forcing him to take a break from basketball. He’s being treated in Singapore.