CJ Cansino says ‘boy mantika’ remarks never bothered him

UAAP Finals Season 86 wrap-up: UP vs La Salle

UP Fighting Maroons’ CJ Cansino plays his final game in the UAAP in the Season 86 Finals Game 3. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—The “boy mantika” remarks have followed CJ Cansino since his departure from University of Santo Tomas, but the University of the Philippines skipper said that those comments never bothered him as he ends his UAAP career.

Cansino was the brunt of hatred from UST faithful back in 2020 due to the “Sorsogon bubble” fiasco that led to the downfall of the Growling Tigers program.

He became the center of blame after his little demand for less oily food in said bubble earned him the moniker “boy mantika (oil boy)” which was made to rattle the athletic forward.

“For me, I was never really bothered. I’m focused on the things that I can control. I can’t control what people say, all I can control is my emotions,” said the Cansino after their 73-69 loss to La Salle in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 86 Finals at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

“I don’t really care about what people say about me so I’m just here to focus on things I can handle.”

If anything, Cansino is happy about contributing to UP while blocking out the noise bred from yesteryear.

He knows he had a hand in the UST downfall, as well, but his mentality of going forward was key for him to have a fruitful run with the Fighting Maroons.

“I’m happy that I experienced a championship in UP and in my UAAP career but that’s how life is. We all have mistakes and whatever’s thrown in social media, the work continues.”

UP Fighting Maroons’ graduating players CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf. –UAAP PHOTO

At the height of the unfortunate fiasco, Cansino said that he loved UST and didn’t want to leave in the first place. It was after he was “kicked off” from the team that he realized he had no other choice but to pursue his collegiate career elsewhere.

“If I’m given a choice or just one reason, then I’ll stay because I still want to play for UST. Just give me one reason then I won’t leave, I’ll continue playing for UST. But I was kicked off the team. I can’t force myself into the team. I still have a dream for myself that’s why I’m so sad to leave UST even if I don’t want to,” said Cansino in 2020.

But lo and behold, Cansino fell at the hands of coach Goldwin Monteverde which began his up-and-down stint in UP: He was hurt, he lost and he won, all with the Maroon jersey.

Whether his run with the Fighting Maroons changes people’s perception of him, Cansino is choosing to think his story may have inspired some people.

“Maybe or maybe not,” said Cansino. “We all saw in social media that people’s perspectives always change. Whatever they want to say, they’ll say it so I can’t say I silenced them but I hope they were inspired by what I’ve been through.”

CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf after loss to La Salle. #UAAPSeason86 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/KVbswjup6K

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) December 6, 2023