Former University of Santo Tomas team captain CJ Cansino expressed his sadness over what transpired between him and the Growling Tigers over the past week.
In a statement from the 20-year-old, he bared that he was removed by the team against his wishes
“Kung bibigyan ako ng isang rason kahit pa man sobrang daming rason na umalis ako, mag-stay ako eh kasi dream school ko ang UST,” read his statement. “Bigyan lang nila ako ng isang rason para hindi lumipat kahit maraming rason para umalis, lalaro parin ako sa UST.
“Kaya lang tinanggal ako eh. Hindi mo naman kasi puwede ipagpilitan yung sarili mo.”
Thursday evening, news broke out that Cansino and UST had parted ways.
But it was far from mutual based on Cansino’s statement, as he leaves with a heavy heart.
“Una sa lahat, UST is my dream school. Kaya nalulungkot talaga ako sa nangyari.”
Cansino did not divulge the reason for his release, saying that he would rather choose to stay silent about it.
His desire to attend UST for college showedduring his final year with the Tiger Cubs.
Fresh off winning the UAAP Season 80 Juniors Basketball Most Valuable Player plum with norms of 24.6 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals, Cansino did not entertain any other offers from other schools, immediately committing to the Tigers.
“Ibang-iba ang Tomasino pag dating sa sumoporta.
“Sobrang tumaba yung puso ko nung nakita ko yung mga suporta nila kahit na nalaman nilang lilipat ako. Hindi kaya i-express ng salita kung gaano ako nag papasalamat sa UST sa pag bibigay ng opportunity sa pag tupad ng pangarap ko. UST na yun eh. Lagi ko sinasabi na hindi ko maisip na naglalaro ako sa ibang kulay kundi dilaw lang. hinding hindi ko makakalimutan ang UST,” he expressed.
He gave it his all for UST during his two-year stay there.
In his rookie season, the 6-foot-2 utility guard posted numbers of 12.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 13 games played.
However, it took a toll on his body.
Game after game, his body slowly caved to the pressure and the physicality. Then by the 13th game of the season, his knee just gave out, tearing his ACL.
A month after the injury, Cansino immediately worked to return.
Seeing this, he was named as the captain of the Tigers for Season 82 despite being a sophomore. He was also the Growling Tigers’ glue guy on the way to the Finals with averages of 5.78 points, 5.22 rebounds, and 1.94 assists in 18 games played.
Despite the sour end to his UST journey, Cansino still sees the sweetness in it. And he is forever grateful to each and every person who was with him all the way.
“Gusto ko magpasalamat sa mga coaches sa dalawang taon na pagtuturo sakin para mas mag-improve ako not just a player pero kung paano maging mabuting tao. Sa mga teammate ko na naging pamilya ko na rin. hinding hindi ko kayo makakalimutan. Alam niyo kung ano yung sinakripisyo natin — lalo na sa management salamat dahil sa walang sawang suporta,” he shared.
“Hanggang sa muli, UST.”
