One of the intriguing sub-plots coming into the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament was how University of the Philippines player CJ Cansino would fare against his old team University of Santo Tomas after a much-publicized divorce back in 2020.
In 19:53 minutes of play, Cansino contributed to UP’s 98-82 victory over UST, Tuesday evening at the closed-door SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with seven points, five rebounds, and one steal. If people expected fireworks to explode, then they were disappointed since the contest played out with little to no extracurricular activity.
“Actually, wala naman eh,” said the 22-year-old who was a product of UST High School. “Wala namang emotion na, alam mo yun, na na-fe-feel kase, yun nga, sabi ko nag-move on na and mas naka-focus na ako sa UP so for me wala na yun.
“Wala ng emotion. Naglalaro na ako sa UP.”
Closure is a powerful thing. It is safe to say that Cansino has already gone forward with his life and is fully focused on helping the Fighting Maroons win their first UAAP title since 1986. The other people involved in that alleged Sorsogon bubble each have their own thing now in life.
Mark Nonoy helped De La Salle University escape National University with 13 points in their 59-55 win earlier in the day, coach Aldin Ayo is busy helping the Cebu Chooks as it is set to compete in the Dubai Expo 3×3 Super Quest, and Rhenz Abando and Brent Paraiso are helping Letran win the NCAA Season 97 crown.
“Oo naman,” replied Cansino when he was asked if he and his former comrades still keep in touch.
“Lagi kaming nagtatawagan kung kamusta na. Nakakausap ko na rin yung mga coaches. Nagkakamustahan kami palagi so talagang nag-move on na talaga kami kasi alam namin kung ano nangyari. So yun, okay na kaming lahat.”
That UST basketball team that disbanded in 2020 will go on as one of the biggest what if’s in UAAP history. Ultimately, though, everyone has to let go of the past and Cansino is just living in the present and thinking of the future as a Fighting Maroon.
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