CJ Cansino has broken his silence on his sudden departure from University of Santo Tomas, divulging that he was sacked from the Growling Tigers squad after just two years in the seniors division.
"Tinanggal ako eh. Hindi mo naman kasi puwede ipagpilitan yung sarili mo sa team na ayaw na sa ‘yo," he said in a statement on Friday.
News of his sudden departure from the UST lair leaked out on Thursday night, a shocking turn of events for the Espana side in the middle of this extended offseason.
It was a heartbreaking development for the 20-year-old as he was left with no choice but to bid his alma mater goodbye.
"Unang-una sa lahat, UST is my dream school kaya nalulungkot talaga ako sa nangyari. Wala akong masabi kundi salamat sa suporta ng community, fans at admin. Ibang-iba ang mga Tomasino pagdating sa suporta. Sobrang tumaba yung puso ko nung nakita ko yung suporta nila kahit na nalaman nilang lilipat ako," he said.
"Hindi kaya i-express ng salita kung gaano ako nagpapasalamat sa UST sa pagbibigay sa akin ng opportunity na matupad ang pangarap ko. UST na yun eh. Lagi ko sinasabi na hindi ko maisip na naglalaro ako sa ibang kulay kundi dilaw lang. Hinding-hindi ko makakalimutan ang UST."
If he had his way, Cansino would undoubtedly stay.
It's just that forces beyond his control would no longer allow it, forcing him to move in against his will, Cansino said.
"Kung mabibigyan lang ako ng isang rason kahit sobrang daming rason kung bakit aalis ako, mag-stay ako eh. Kasi gusto ko pa rin maglaro sa UST. (Pero) may pangarap rin naman ako para sa sarili ko. Kaya sobrang lungkot lang na kailangan kong umalis sa UST kahit hindi ko gusto," he said.
Cansino refused to elaborate on the matter, while Spin.ph sought coach Aldin Ayo for his comments but he politely declined issuing any statements for the time being.
The Valenzuela-born Cansino is a Growling Tiger through-and-through, winning the UAAP Season 80 Juniors MVP trophy in his final year for the Tiger Cubs.
He shunned a number of offers from other schools after his high school graduation to remain with the Growling Tigers for his seniors career.
The 6-foot-2 guard was stellar in his two years in the seniors team, averaging 5.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists last UAAP Season 82 as UST reached the Finals for the first time since 2015.
He was coming back from a torn left ACL incurred in his rookie year, where he posted 12.8 points, 10.3 boards, and 3.6 assists to be the runner-up in the Rookie of the Year race.
Cansino now becomes one of the most sought-after prospects in the collegiate ranks with as much as four schools, namely Ateneo, La Salle, University of the Philippines, and Letran wooing him to their quarters.
The 20-year-old vowed to give it his all to his next home, the same way he showed his dedication to UST.
"Sa lilipatan ko, pinapangako ko na kung paano ko binigay ang buong puso at pagkatao ko sa UST, ganun din ang makukuha niyo sa akin. Kung ano yung natutunan ko, hindi ko iiwan at dadalhin ko," he said.
Still, one can't fault him for bearing the pain of his untimely departure, saying: "Sa huli, gusto ko magpasalamat sa mga coaches sa dalawang taon na pagtuturo sa akin para mas mag-improve not just a player pero kung paano rin maging mabuting tao. Sa mga teammate ko na naging pamilya ko na rin, hinding-hindi ko kayo makakalimutan. Alam niyo kung ano yung sinakripisyo ko at natin. Lalong-lalo na sa management, salamat dahil sa walang-sawang suporta."
"Hanggang sa muli, UST."
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