UAAP title boosts Cansino’s confidence as incoming Meralco rookie

MANILA, Philippines – CJ Cansino is hoping that his experience of winning a championship in the UAAP will help the Meralco Bolts in another title conquest. 

Cansino was drafted 11th overall by Meralco, which won a breakthrough championship in the PBA Philippine Cup. 

The guard won a title with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons back in UAAP Season 84 and made the collegiate league’s finals a total of three times. 

After being picked by the Bolts, Cansino told reporters that he is happy for the opportunity to help out his new team. 

“I am happy because I feel like I can help out Meralco. Hopefully, my experience of winning a championship will also help them,” he said in Filipino. 

Cansino captained UP last season, when the team also reached the finals. However, they ran into MVP Kevin Quiambao and the La Salle Green Archers, who broke a years-long title drought. 

Now in the pro ranks, the 24-year-old wing said he is confident of helping out the reigning Philippine Cup champions. 

“When I was looking at the teams of the PBA, I saw that Meralco is one of the teams that I could help out on because my game is more of a system one,” he stressed. 

“I can adapt to a system and hopefully, whatever I can give out, I can give out to Meralco,” he added. 

He also voiced joy to learn from the team’s vets. 

“I am very happy because they won the championship last season, and hopefully I can also reach that. And, we will work hard for it.” 

The next season of PBA will commence next month.