The UST faithful have seen it plenty of times this season: the scene of CJ Cansino crumbling in pain. The moment he is helped to the bench. And later on, the picture of him getting back to the game.
Wednesday afternoon, the 6-foot-2 rookie challenged a shot by Simon Camacho with 4:16 left in the game. However, Cansino landed awkwardly on his left ankle and had to be brought back to the locker room.
He returned moments later to finish the game.
“‘Di naman matatawaran yung fighting spirit ng batang yun. Hangga’t kaya nun talagang maglalaro yun,” beamed UST head coach Aldin Ayo.
“Kanina nga nung pinapa-trap ko sabi niya sa akin, ‘Coach, hindi ko kaya mag-trap kasi medyo masakit eh.’ Sabi ko, ‘Sakit lang yan eh, ‘di naman delikado.’
“Nag-konsulta naman ako dun sa PT namin, hindi naman delikado, hindi naman career-threatening so sabi ko just overcome it. Kailangan natin maglaro,” added Ayo, who is focusing this season on getting more reps for his players.
The super rookie still put up 17 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in UST’s 83-96 loss to Adamson.
For his efforts and for his recovery, Ayo is giving him a day off to help him recover for their virtual do-or-die game against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Saturday.
“Siguro baka ipahinga ko muna sa Thursday. Friday baka mag-shooting-shooting, ganun, para maging ready sa Saturday.”
