Mark Nonoy and CJ Cansino were supposed to be the future of University of Santo Tomas.
The two products of the UST Tiger Cubs program were hailed as Rookie of the Year during their respective freshmen seasons.
Moreover, the duo would steer the Growling Tigers to the UAAP Season 82 Men’s Basketball Finals, bowing to then-mighty Ateneo Blue Eagles in the finale.
Many hoped that Nonoy and Cansino would be the catalysts in leading UST back to its former glory.
However, disaster struck UST in 2020 resulting in a mass exodus.
Nonoy ended up in De La Salle while Cansino committed to University of the Philippines.
Still, their friendship remained.
“Minsan, nag-uusap din kasi kami,” said Nonoy.
“On the court, siyempre, magkalaban kami pero off the court, nandun pa rin friendship namin as former teammates.”
In their final year in college, the two will share the court once more after the Green Archers and the Fighting Maroons easily dispatched their respective Final Four foes to advance to the finale.
One last time for Nonoy and Cansino.
Unlike Cansino — who won the title during Season 84, Nonoy has yet to taste gold in the UAAP.
Finally living up to his potential, the 22-year-old guard out of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental is out to finish some business he has yet to settle since 2019.
“Sobrang, masarap sa pakiramdam makabalik ulit sa Finals,” he said. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa mga sumusuporta sa amin.
“Sana patuloy pa rin sila magsuporta, buong La Salle community. Para po sa school namin ito. Gagawin namin yung best namin. Mag-pe-prepare kami nang maayos pagpasok ng Finals.”
Even if it comes at the expense of Cansino.
“Yun lang, gusto lang namin bigyan ng magandang laban ang mga fans. Gagawin namin yung best namin.”
