Basketball great LA Tenorio was an avid spectator during the Tuesday quarterfinals action of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In an interview with Inquirer.net, the newly appointed Gilas Boys’ head coach shared that he attended the Philsports Arena to support Philippine volleyball in general while also mentioning friends like Alyssa Valdez, Jen Nierva, and Pauline Gaston.
For Valdez, one of the key figures behind volleyball’s rising popularity in the country, Tenorio’s call for greater support for men’s and women’s volleyball was heartwarming.
“Kuya LA, he’s a legend in this sports community, and hearing that from him, parang… It’s a testament na alam mo with the quality of sports we’re having, the quality of games we’re having here in volleyball, talagang mae-encourage din talaga lahat manood,” shared Valdez.
Valdez and Creamline delivered a dominant performance with a 25-10, 27-25, 25-21 victory over Chery Tiggo.
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee pulled off a stunning upset by toppling Petro Gazz, 25-21, 25-23, 27-25.
(C) PVL Images
The Cool Smashers and the Thunderbelles now hold a 1-0 advantage in their respective best-of-three quarterfinal series.
“So kung nae-encourage din ang mga kapwa atleta, sana yung iba din ma-encourage manood ng women’s and men’s volleyball and also beach volleyball. Lahat ng volleyball,” said Valdez, echoing Tenorio’s call for greater support.
Valdez recently welcomed Tenorio as a guest on her podcast, The Transition Playbook, where they discussed their sporting careers and how their journeys have evolved over the years.
Tenorio is an eight-time PBA champion with Alaska and Barangay Ginebra. He continues to play for Ginebra while balancing his coaching duties.
“Well, it’s always great and nice na we athletes support each other talaga, and if hindi pa kayo nakakapanood ng podcast, sana panoorin niyo,” said Valdez, who starred against the Crossovers with 16 points, 13 digs, and nine receptions.
“It was insightful talaga, my conversation with Kuya LA, and I really appreciate the community more, the sport more, and yeah, it’s just so nice to be surrounded by great athletes, very humble, and yun talaga inspirasyon ko din sila.”
#WATCH: Alyssa Valdez shares her thoughts on Adamson rookie Shaina Nitura’s record-breaking UAAP scoring feat 🏐
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