CJ Cansino is finally back playing for University of the Philippines.
The 6-foot-1 winger patiently waited for this moment to be able to play again for the Fighting Maroons.
And when he got the chance, Cansino delivered in UP’s 95-77 win over Far Eastern University in the 16th FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, finishing with 11 points, two assists, and a rebound in just 10 minutes of game time.
“Siyempre masaya kasi almost one year since nung naglaro ako eh,” Cansino expressed.
“So ‘yung pasensya, alam niyo yun ‘yung mga pinaghirapan ko nandito na, siyempre sobrang saya ko na nakalaro ako ulit dito sa UP.”
It was his second time tearing his ACL. The first injury was back on November 12, 2018, when he was still a rookie at University of Santo Tomas in UAAP Season 81.
Then the second was back in Season 84 when they were up against Ateneo de Manila University during the last game of the elimination round.
When Cansino was diagnosed with a torn ACL last Season 84, he was stuck on the bench cheering for his team. The injury meant he would miss the entirety of Season 85 due to the recovery time.
At least, Cansino knew what to do, and it motivated him more for this upcoming Season 86. He said that during his recovery, it was all in the mindset to erase the fears of his injury until he regained his form.
“Actually, dahil second time ko alam ko na ‘yung mga gagawin, so kapag nai-injury ka sa mga ganito, it’s all about mindset eh.
“Minsan kasi, katulad nung unang year ko sa UST, na pagtapos ko ma-ACL… Medyo alam ko na kung pa’no siya gawin kasi nga pinagdaanan ko nga, and alam ko na ‘yung experience eh,” he recalled, noting that Luis De Mesa once again helped him in the process.
“So masasabi ko lang siguro it’s all bout mindset talaga, kasi minsan nakakalimutan mo ‘yung na kaya mo gawin ‘to, tapos kaya mo pa pala. So ngayon subok lang din talaga ako ng subok, and tina-try ko ‘yung best ko na mawala ‘yung takot – siyempre ‘di mawawala ‘yung takot, pero alam ko process ‘to hangga’t sa umabot sa UAAP [Season 86],” he continued.
Cansino knows that it will be a heavy responsibility to lead the team this season with the departures of Carl Tamayo, Zavier Lucero, Henry Galinato, Brix Ramos, and James Spencer from UP. The do-it-all guard vowed that he will guide the new recruits within the likes of Francis Lopez, Seven Gagate, Luis Pablo, LA Andres, Sean Alter, and Mark Belmonte this season to reclaim the crown.
“Siyempre, mabigat na ‘yung responsibility ng isang leader, kasi siyempre bago mo ituro kailangan gawin mo muna ‘yung mga tama,” he said. “So nagiging pasensyoso kami kasi alam namin na hindi ganon kadali na pumasok agad sa sistema, lalo na iba-ibang team ‘yung pinanggalingan nung [players].
“Hindi sila galing sa aming sistema, kaya medyo mahirap, pero tinatanggap namin ang hamon.”
Integrating everyone into the system will be tough. However, Cansino believes that if they take it one step at a time, they can achieve the goal of the Fighting Maroons this upcoming season.
(C) Filoil
“Siguro gina-guide naman namin ‘yung team sa tulong ni coach Gold… Ssiyempre palagi na alam mo ‘yun ang mahalaga, kasi sa’ min lalo na puro star player ‘yung mga bata,” said the UP skipper. “Kung pano kami mag ge-gel as a team, ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-challenging eh. Alam na namin lahat na magaling sila, alam ni coach Gold meron sila mga kakayahan.
“Ang magiging challenge na lang sa’min dito is kung pano namin, bubuoin ‘yung lima sa loob, and ‘yung as a team. So, siguro, di ko alam kung pano i-step-by-step, pero day-by-day hihimayin talaga namin ‘yun.”
