During the off-season of the UAAP, CJ Cansino was one of the main protagonists in the extended lay-off.
Groomed to achieve legendary status with University of Santo Tomas ever since he joined the senior ranks in 2018, his transfer to University of the Philippines and its lingering ramifications remain a contentious topic.
All of the controversies that surrounded the 6-foot-1 guard may have forced many to forget how good he actually is on the hardcourt. In 19:09 minutes of action, Cansino led UP with 21 points, five rebounds, and three steals in its opening-day loss to Ateneo de Manila University last Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“For me, marami pa kaming kailangan i-work on lalo na sa chemistry dahil, yun nga, medyo short time din yung practices namin,” said Cansino.
“Sa mga future games siguro dun kami matututo and dun namin ma-bi-build up yung chemistry namin.”
In a star-studded squad that contains the likes of Ricci Rivero, Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Malik Diouf, and Joel Cagulangan to name a few, there remain questions as to how these guys will share the ball with each other. It obviously doesn’t help that Season 84 is a condensed campaign and teams had little time together beforehand.
As a third-year player, though, Cansino is prioritizing coach Goldwin Monteverde’s system over his own personal touches even if he was the one who essentially kept the Fighting Maroons in the contest. It is always tempting to be the main alpha male in a band of alphas but it says something that he is willing to give way to others.
“Well actually siguro, sa akin lang sumasakto ang mga bola kase tiwala lang ako sa sistema ni Coach Gold eh. Yun lang yung lagi kong sinasabi ko na if makatira, makatira,” he said.
“Ikot lang talaga sa sistema and luckily pumapasok yung mga tira ko then siyempre happy ako dahil ako yung nakahabol, ganun.”
Flashback to the end of Season 82 and despite losing the finals to Ateneo, the UST faithful were very excited for years to come as their program rebuilt by Aldin Ayo included Cansino, rookie hotshot Mark Nonoy, star transferee Rhenz Abando, and foreign reinforcement Soulemane Chabi Yo. But then again, the best plans do not always come to fruition.
In fact, things can go downhill very fast. Rumors were rife about an alleged training bubble operated by Ayo in his province of Sorsogon for the Growling Tigers and everything broke loose when Cansino shared numerous allegations of what was happening inside.
The 22-year-old combo guard then kickstarted an exodus from the program, which is being rebuilt today by former St. Clare College mentor Jinino Manansala.
Apparently, time has healed old wounds as Cansino and Ayo are already on speaking terms.
“For me, wala naman sa aking parang big deal dahil, alam mo yun, we move on.
“Okay naman kami ng mga teammates ko dati and coaches. For me, it’s just a regular game na kailangan naming paghandaan katulad ng pinaghandaan namin yung Ateneo,” said Cansino.
Now, after all the past controversies, the Fighting Maroon is just contented to focus on the action on the court. The COVID-19 pandemic has made everyone miss UAAP basketball and he is just happy to participate in the games once again.
“Actually sobrang saya. Nung nagkakamayan nga kami ng mga kalaban namin kanina, sinasabi lang namin sa isa’t isa ‘welcome back’. It’s been two years and at least nakalaro kami,” he said.
“Same din siyempre sa kanila kase alam mo yun? Ito na. Ito na ulit tayo. Ito na ulit yung basketball na hinihintay natin. So yun. Masaya.”
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