Loss puts a damper on Cansino’s stellar Tigers debut

UST’s CJ Cansino guards NU’s Dave Ildefonso. INQUIRER PHOTO/ Sherwin Vardeleon

University of Santo Tomas still has reasons to feel good about despite dropping its first game in the UAAP Season 81 on Saturday night.

One of those is the performance of its first-year forward CJ Cansino, who led the Growling Tigers with 20 points and 10 rebounds in his debut.

Cansino, however, doesn’t see his stellar outing as something to celebrate for with UST losing to National University, 75-70.

“It’s a bit painful because we lost,” Cansino said in Filipino.

The Tigers showed grit after rallying from 17 points down but only to fall short in the endgame.

Cansino said he still has a lot to work on especially on the defensive end.

“There were a number of times were I let my defender get past me. I have to improve further.”

He was matched up with a fellow rookie in Dave Ildefonso, who had 19 points to lead the Bulldogs and someone who brings out the best in him.

“I see it as a challenge. He’s a Gilas player, he’s smart and he’s really good.”