Putting on the UP jersey instilled a winning mindset that CJ Cansino will forever carry as he goes on with his basketball career.
Former UP captain CJ Cansino is now in the midst of pursuing PBA dreams after his time with the Fighting Maroons ended in December last year.
Cansino was picked 11th overall by the Meralco Bolts in the PBA draft last July after spending three seasons with the Fighting Maroons. The 6-foot-1 winger made his debut in the ongoing Governors’ Cup, averaging 9.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 10 games played with the Bolts.
While the transition comes with a share of learning curves, Cansino believes he was long prepared by the UP to thrive in the professional ranks.
The do-it-all guard was mentored by a serial winner in Goldwin Monteverde as a Fighting Maroon. It was under Monteverde’s tutelage that UP won its first UAAP title in 32 years, and has become bonafide title contenders since his arrival in 2022.
“Ang dami kong pinagdaaanan pero pinaka-nadala ko is ‘yung winning mentality ng UP. Alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung kahit anong mangyari, solution mindset pa din. So ngayon sa PBA, happy ako na ‘yung system ni Coach Gold [Monteverde], hindi malayo kay Coach Nenad [Vucinic],” Cansino told reporters during halftime of UP’s Round 2 meeting with Ateneo on Wednesday.
“So alam ko na ‘yung mga players sa UP, pag nakapag-pro sila, malayo din mararating nila.”
Besides the system, UP and Meralco also had similar cultures according to the do-it-all guard.
“Hindi madali ‘yung naging transition from college to PBA pero dahil sa culture ng Meralco na hindi nagkakalayo dito sa UP…’Yung culture kasi nila very welcoming eh. So sobrang tuwang tuwa ako na winelcome nila ako nang todo, hindi ako nahirapan mag-transition to pro dahil sa mga tulong nila [Chris] Newsome, Bong Quinto, Allein Maliksi,” shared Cansino.
In light of recent developments, Cansino also shared his experience playing with resident Bolts import Allen Durham. Durham announced his retirement from the PBA on Wednesday, a month after Meralco’s Governors’ Cup run ended at the hands of rival Ginebra and Justin Brownlee.
Still, Cansino was fortunate to share the court with the “Hulk,” a three-time PBA Best Import awardee in his prime who led Meralco to three Governors’ Cup finals appearances. Durham is also a one-time champion in the Japan B.League, winning it all with the Ryukyu Golden Kings in 2023.
“Isa sa mga pinaka worry ko noong una na ‘yung import, baka hindi ko maging close, may attitude. Pero si Kuya Durham, ibang klase ‘yung attitude niya, hindi niya ako tinitignan as a rookie, Cansino shared with a smile.
“Tinitignan nya kung paano ako makakatulong sa team and lagi nya nangangamusta. Kung ano ba ‘yung nafe-feel ko, kung may injury ba? So ibang klase ‘yung attitude ni Durham, and hindi ako na-surprise na pinabalik siya ng Meralco.”
Though Cansino’s path to the PBA was far from rosy, having gone through major injuries and adversities as a collegiate star. As a rookie, Cansino’s collegiate debut abruptly ended in 2018 due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left leg.
Months after their Season 82 Cinderella run, Cansino parted ways with UST, which was followed by the infamous “Sorsogon bubble” fiasco. At the time, he received tons of social media flak after supposedly complaining about the oily food being served to him and his teammates.
As a Fighting Maroon, Cansino suffered another ACL tear in his right leg in 2022. Shortly after helping State U win its first title in 32 years, Cansino underwent surgery that sidelined him for the entirety of Season 85.
Cansino was healthy for his last dance in Season 86 but played through the loss of his mother Rowena due to COVID-19 complications. Instead of folding to these adversities, the 25-year-old is now using it as fuel to become the best player he can be for Meralco.
“Well, sobrang saya ako and sobrang proud ako sa sarili ko kasi syempre, una sa lahat hindi ako nag-quit. And ‘yung mga pinagdaanan ko, dinala ko ‘yun as motivation para maging good player sa Meralco,” the former State U captain reflected.
‘Mas nagmature na ‘yung mga bata’
UP holds a 9-1 record late into Season 87 as they gun for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Final Four. Veteran JD Cagulangan is playing at an elite level as he leads a vaunted guard rotation alongside former NSNU Bullpups Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, and Terrence Fortea.
Francis Lopez remains stable in his sophomore year, while one-and-done center Quentin Millora-Brown is living up to the hype as a former NCAA Division 1 talent.
Cansino himself remains in contact with UP, acting as a mentor to third-year forward Aldous Torculas.
“So pag may kailangan siya o may kailangan ‘yung coaches na sabihin sa kanya, minsan sakin pinapadaan. So si Aldous ‘yung parang nagiging communication namin. Pero minsan dumadalaw din ako sa kanila [sa practice],” he shared.
As a team mixed with veterans and newcomers, Cansino is happy to see the Maroons’ chemistry, and their growth playing under Monteverde’s system.
“Well, itong team na ito, mas nag-mature na ‘yung mga bata. Sila na ‘yung mga nagli-lead. Naging mas experienced sila ngayon kasi ang dami na nilang pinagdaanan and hopefully magamit nila ‘yon para sa finals,” he added.
But Cansino would rather play with these Fighting Maroons instead of cheering them on from the MOA Arena bleachers.
“Syempre, una sa lahat, thankful kasi nakapaglaro ako sa UAAP…And nakakaba manood eh. So mas masarap maglaro, mas nakakawala nang kaba pag naglalaro, iba ‘yung feeling,” he admitted.
Banner image courtesy of the UAAP Season 84 Media Team via the UAAP on Facebook.