CJ Cansino stood as a defiant figure on the University of the Philippines bench late in Game Two, exhorting his teammates to hold their heads high after crucial Ateneo baskets assured there will be no Maroons party on Wednesday.
"'Yung mga mukha n'yo akala mo wala na tayong Game Three," Cansino shouted in the din of an Ateneo celebration over a 65-55 victory that sent the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball finals to a title decider on Monday.
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Cansino has been reduced into a cheerleader and locker room presence in this campaign after suffering an ACL injury during the Maroons' historic run to their first UAAP championship in 36 years in Season 84.
The transferee from UST underwent surgery in July and there was never a chance he could play this season given the one-year recovery period, more so since surgery on the ACL tear was only done after the season.
But UP program director Bo Perasol assured Cansino is very much a part of UP's future.
"That's definite. He will be the future leader of next season," Perasol said of the 6-foot-2 guard from Valenzuela, who averaged 9.3 points on 28 percent shooting, to go with 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 18 minutes of play last season.
Perasol said Cansino's rehabilitation is right on track, saying, "CJ is really doing well. He can probably join light practices by early next year."
[READ: Why Game 3 of UAAP Finals will be played on a Monday]
But for now, Cansino makes a difference on the sidelines and inside the locker room.
"He actually does a pep talk whenever it's warranted," said Perasol of Cansino, who has one year of UAAP eligibility left. "He is a winner and he wants to share his thoughts with the other guys especially the younger ones."
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