UP wins Cansino sweepstakes as it nabs ex-UST skipper

The University of the Philippines had just won the CJ Cansino sweepstakes.

It has announced today that the Fighting Maroons has nabbed the former UST captain in what has been the wildest story of the UAAP, with the 83rd season has to tip off in five months' time.

It all started with the rumors of the former UAAP High School MVP left the Growling Tigers' bubble in Bicol last night, citing personal reasons.

From then on, it escalated quickly as rumors spread that he was kicked off the team, with several stars from the other UAAP schools wooing him to come.

However, Diliman was his first choice and his transfer was made official later in the day after meeting with head coach Bo Perasol and team manager Atty. Agaton Uvero.

Cansino, who averaged 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in their Cinderella run to the title series last season, said he was still forever grateful to España who had molded his talent since his Tiger Cubs days.

The year before, he was in a tight race with Ateneo's Angelo Kouame for the best freshman accolade before tearing his ACL against UP, finishing with double-double averages of 12.8 points, 10.3 assists to go along with 3.6 dimes.

“Unang-una sa lahat, UST is my dream school kaya nalulungkot talaga ako sa nangyari,” he said in his statement, in which he stressed the need to open a new page in his career.

“Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang UST and thankful ako sa kanila na binigyan nila ako ng opportunity, pero I need to move on.”

After accepting the sad fate that befell on him, Cansino quickly went to talk to other schools right away, and was convinced that the environment in Diliman will suit him the best.

“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,” he added.

With Cansino joining the fray, the Fighting Maroons are already set their sights to life after the Gomez De Liaños, Ricci Rivero and co. by season 84, in which they will be have an almost clean slate.

“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,” said Perasol, who will be hands-on on Cansino's transition to an Isko. “I will personally help him make the transition to being a Fighting Maroon. CJ will definitely enjoy his stay in UP.”

Uvero added that the wait was all worth it for them, stating that they have him on the radar since UST High, but they could not expect to have him since his loyalty is laced with black and gold.

“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 said.

Photos: Nowhere To Go But UP (cover), UAAP