By: Ohmer Bautista
University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers rookie CJ Cansino, the highly-touted prospect out of the UST Cubs program last season, made a huge splash in his very first game in the collegiate ranks.
Dropping a game-high 20 points, to go along 10 rebounds, an assist, and a block, everyone would think that last year’s UAAP Juniors Most Valuable Player made an impressive debut. But for him, his first game is nothing but a sour experience.
“Medyo masakit kasi talo kami,” the former Tiger Cub admitted moments after their 70-75 defeat at the hands of the National University Bulldogs.
His head coach Aldin Ayo also echoed the same sentiments as Cansino.
“No, I’m not happy because we loss eh. Walang mga silver lining dito na si CJ nakabente o ‘yung mga players maganda ‘yung laro,” the first-year UST tactician said.
Moreover, the encounter was painful for Cansino as his opponents — particularly fellow rookie Dave Ildefonso of NU — had their way on his defense, as the rookie pointed out that matching up with a more bulky Ildefonso gave him a hard time defensively.
“More on sa defense lalo na sa’kin, one on one, palagi akong nablo-blow by,” confessed Cansino, talking about his defensive wares. “Knowing Dave, Gilas player, magaling talaga siya. Mautak at ang laki ng katawan kaya kain ako sa post.”
But despite admitting that he’s still a liability in defense, what he knows full well though is that offensively, he can do wonders for UST.
“I just want to win. Kahit down by 12, sabi ko baka may magawa ako kaya I just attacked the basket then yun nga, nakakuha ako ng foul,” admitted Cansino, who was the catalyst of the Growling Tigers’ fourth quarter surge, which saw them knock within single digits.
Still, Cansino is looking ahead, citing that a loss this early will only pay dividends for UST in the long run.
“Yung good sign para samin yung natutunan namin this game. Talo man kami pero this will make us a better team,” he shared. “Off kami sa mga bagay like three points at rebound, pero iwo-work pa namin.”
For his part, no matter what the circumstances are, along with all the added pressure surrounding him, he declares that he will be ready to take every adversity head-on.
“Ready naman ako palagi kasi lagi namang sinasabi ni coach na be ready and no expectation lang siguro. I’m gonna do my best, I’m gonna compete.”
