CJ Cansino has been a true-blue Ginebra fan ever since so, playing for the PBA’s most popular ball club would be a dream come true.
The 24-year-old isn’t shy to admit that he aspires to become a ka-Barangay as he is among the 70 hopefuls in the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft.
“Dream team… Ginebra talaga ako eh,” he said moments after Day 1 of the Combine wrapped up on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
“Never say die. Hopefully. Hindi man ngayon, soon, sana makalaro ako roon.”
It’s something that he actually grew up with, according to Cansino, since his family has been avid supporters of the Kings—so much so that it would become a celebration of sorts at home whenever their favorite team reached the Finals.
“Growing up, talagang… hindi pa ata ako nagba-basketball, ‘yun na ‘yung pinapanood ng family ko eh,” the guard from Valenzuela said.
“Tuwing papasok ng Finals, nagiinuman sila,” he added.
“Bata pa lang ako, Ginebra na ‘yung team ng family ko. Kumbaga, dugong Ginebra eh.”
As he is looking to make it to the major league, Cansino is carrying with him the famed NSD spirit he acquired from watching his Ginebra.
The one-time UAAP gold medalist suffered two ACL injuries during his college years with UST and UP, but managed to fight through it all.
And those experiences, he said, serves as a reminder for him to continually put in the work, especially now that he’s making the leap.
“‘Yung mga napagdaanan ko, hindi rin biro eh,” reflected Cansino, who hopes to be picked during the first round of the draft proceedings on July 14.
“Lahat ‘yun, nagbibigay sa akin ng motivation para araw-araw ako magtrabaho.”
