Cansino resets focus to EASL after painful exit
There was a silver lining for Meralco Bolts despite their exit from the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
While the Bolts bowed to the TNT Tropang 5G, they uncovered a bright spot in CJ Cansino, who went down swinging in Game 5 on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cansino delivered a breakout performance in the Bolts’ 99-96 loss, but it wasn’t enough to extend the series as Meralco fell, 4-1.
There will be little time to dwell on the disappointment. Cansino and the Bolts shift their focus to the East Asia Super League, where Meralco remains in the thick of the race.
“I’ll just take a few days to rest and let the pain from this elimination pass,” Cansino told the Inquirer. “It hurts, but I’ll reset.”
The upcoming EASL games have him energized, particularly with Meralco set to suit up alongside its imports.
“I’m so excited because we’ll be playing with our imports,” he said. “You learn a lot from them—how they work, how they take care of their bodies, their tactics. They really teach me, especially because I ask a lot about how I can improve.”
Cansino heads into Meralco’s next EASL assignment with his confidence—and stock—at a career high.
In what turned out to be his final game of the Bolts’ Philippine Cup campaign, the former University of the Philippines standout erupted for a career- and game-high 36 points, adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
He shot an efficient 12-of-20 from the field and delivered when it mattered most, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter as Meralco tried to mount a last stand.
That clutch scoring touch is something the Bolts will need as their EASL campaign hangs in the balance. Meralco sits at 3-2 in Group B, with little margin for error.
Still, Cansino ris aware that there is more work ahead before he can be a go-to option.
“I still need to watch film, talk with my teammates and see where I can improve,” he said.
