Nothing encapsulated the UAAP’s Season 81 mantra “Where It All Begins” than the National University Bulldogs-University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers match-up.
Both squads were led by blue chip rookies, who promise to carry both programs in the future. For their first meeting in the seniors division, NU’s Dave Ildefonso and UST’s CJ Cansino put the UAAP on notice.
The Season 80 Juniors Basketball Most Valuable Player Cansino led all scorers with 20 points to go with 10 rebounds. Ildefonso, on the other hand, topped the Bulldogs, drilling 19 points and inhaling seven boards. Most importantly, Ildefonso’s Bulldogs took home the win, 75-70.
Both rookies guarded each other for stretches of the match, with Ildefonso using his girth to power through Cansino while the Tiger drew several fouls from the Bulldog.
If there was any jawing between the pair, it was all friendly banter.
“Wala, magkaibigan kami ni Dave. Medyo naglolokohan lang kami kanina. It’s just a game, basketball lang,” admitted Cansino.
“Kung may sagutan man doon, kulitan lang ‘yun sa court,” echoed Ildefonso.
Of the pair, Cansino was more reflective of their match-up, ruing the loss and his defensive work against the former Ateneo Blue Eaglet.
“Knowing Dave, Gilas player, magaling talaga siya – more on individual player, mautak at ang laki katawan kaya kain ako sa post,” said Cansino.
To this day, Ildefonso is still in awe with how Cansino won Juniors MVP over his former teammate, the towering Kai Sotto.
“Alam naman natin si CJ, really great player. Last year, sa Juniors, sobrang landslide ‘yung lamang niya kay Kai,” admitted Ildefonso.
“‘Yung laban namin kanina, it was a great game since may bond kami. We know each other well.”
