CJ Cansino transfers to UP

CJ made the jump from the Tiger Cubs to the Growling Tigers and continued to impress for most of Season 81 before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ended his campaign abruptly. (File photo: cjcasinoo/Instagram)

MANILA — In a huge development, promising wingman CJ Cansino made a move from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to the University of the Philippines (UP), the Fighting Maroons announced on Friday.

“CJ will be a great addition to ensuring the sustainability of the program, especially with possibly just one player left from last season playing for Season 84.

I will personally help him make the transition to being a Fighting Maroon. CJ will definitely enjoy his stay in UP,” Coach Bo Perasol said.

CJ first made waves for UST in the high school level, winning the Most Valuable Player award in UAAP Season 80 juniors basketball.

CJ made the jump from the Tiger Cubs to the Growling Tigers and continued to impress for most of Season 81 before an anterior cruciate ligament injury ended his campaign abruptly.

In his sophomore season last year, the six-foot-two high-flyer was named captain, but despite UST making a finals return, his numbers dipped.

Cansino made headlines on Thursday night when reports surfaced that he left the Growling Tigers, which he confirmed early Friday citing that there was an apparent fallout.

“Noong natanggap ko na, na hindi na ako pwede sa UST, marami po akong kinausap and kinonsulta. Ang naging pakiramdam ko po ay mas bagay talaga ako sa UP, mas comfortable ako sa UP (When I accepted it already, I talked and consulted many people. I felt that I fit better and I am more comfortable in UP),” he said.

Now that the transfer has been made official, Cansino simply said, “I need to move on.”

Cansino will sit out UAAP Season 83 due to residency and will become eligible for Season 84, just in time as the Gomez De Liano Brothers are set to make a return after taking some time off to concentrate in their Gilas Cadets duties.