Cansino set to transfer to UP

From L-R: Bo Perasol, CJ Cansino, Atty. Ags Uvero

All eyes in the Philippine sporting world in the past couple of days centered on collegiate basketball, about a sudden departure and a quick commitment.

CJ Cansino formally made his decision to transfer from the University of Santo Tomas to the University of the Philippines on Friday, after making the shock move to depart from the Growling Tigers' lair the previous day.

The former HS Boys Basketball Most Valuable Player made that decision official after meeting with UP Men's Basketball Team head coach Bo Perasol and Team Manager and Nowhere to go but UP representative Atty. Agaton Uvero.

On his decision to depart from UST, CJ shares, "Unang-una sa lahat, UST is my dream school kaya nalulungkot talaga ako sa nangyari. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang UST and thankful ako sa kanila na binigyan nila ako ng opportunity, pero I need to move on."

He adds, "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."

Perasol acknowledged the importance of landing someone of Cansino's caliber, noting UP's need to build on the future as well as the present. He says, "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."

Uvero expressed how lucky the Fighting Maroons are by having Cansino commit to their program. "We wanted him to play for UP when he graduated from UST high school two years ago, but his heart has always been with UST. We are happy and lucky that he chose to be part of the Fighting Maroons this time," he shares.

After his promising freshman stint was cut short due to injury, he was given team captaincy by UST head coach Aldin Ayo. CJ averaged 5.68 points. 5.21 rebounds, and just under a couple of assists in Season 82, where the Growling Tigers managed to take down the Maroons en route to the finals, losing to Ateneo in two games.