Cansino breaks silence on UST departure, says he got ‘kicked off’

After a few drama-filled days for the UST Growling Tigers, former team captain CJ Cansino has finally broken his silence.

According to him, he never wanted to leave UST in the first place, but was forced to do so by the team. (READ: CJ Cansino leaves UST Tigers, eyes other UAAP teams)

“Bigyan lang ako ng isang rason para hindi lumipat, maglalaro pa rin ako sa UST. Kaya lang, tinanggal ako eh,” he said. 

“Hindi mo naman pwede ipagpilitan yung sarili mo. May pangarap rin naman ako para sa sarili ko. Kaya sobrang lungkot lang na kailangan kong umalis sa UST kahit hindi ko gusto.”

(Just give me a reason to not leave, and I’d still play for UST. But I was kicked off the team. You can’t really force yourself to stay, and I still have a dream for myself, which is why I’m so sad that I have to leave even though I don’t want to.)

Cansino also didn’t fall short of expressing his utmost gratitude for the school he has called home since his high school days, when he won the UAAP Season 80 juniors MVP.

“UST is my dream school kaya nalulungkot talaga ako sa nangyari. Wala akong masabi kundi salamat sa suporta ng community, fans at admin,” he said. 

“Ibang-iba ang mga Tomasino pagdating sa suporta. Sobrang tumaba yung puso ko nung nakita ko yung suporta nila kahit na nalaman nilang lilipat ako.”

(UST is my dream school which is why I’m really sad with what happened. I can’t say anything else but thanks to the community fans and admin. Thomasians are really different when it comes to support. It really warmed my heart to see their support for me despite knowing that I’m leaving.)

After turning heads in a stellar rookie year in Season 81, the 6-foot-1 guard was pushed down the rotation due to his ACL injury rehab coinciding with the meteoric rise of new additions Rhenz Abando and Mark Nonoy.

Dragging his way to averages of 5.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists, Cansino was still an important part of a magical Final Four run that saw UST sweep the favored UP Fighting Maroons for a spot at the UAAP Finals.

Cansino was expected to get back to full strength for Season 83 as the intact Tigers core gears up for another Finals run, but all that is ruined now.

As for the next team lucky enough to pick up the former juniors MVP’s services, Cansino vows to bring with him everything UST gave him and work his way up to be the missing piece in a championship run.

“Sa lilipatan ko, pinapangako ko na kung paano ko binigay ang buong puso at pagkatao ko sa UST, ganun din ang makukuha niyo sa akin. Kung ano yung natutunan ko, hindi ko iiwan at dadalhin ko,” he said.

(To the place I’m transferring to, I promise to give you the same heart and personality that I gave UST. I will not forget what I learned and I will bring those lessons with me.)

“Hanggang sa muli, UST (Until next time, UST),” he concluded. – Rappler.com