PBA: Allein Maliksi sees younger self in rookie CJ Cansino

Meralco Bolts’ rookie CJ Cansino during his PBA debut in the Governors’ Cup. -PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco may have struck gold in drafting CJ Cansino, who is being touted younger version of the the Bolts’ champion sniper Allein Maliksi.

After Meralco’s season-opening win over Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup,  Maliksi said he sees some eerie similarities between him and the University of the Philippines product.

“I kind of see CJ as a younger me. He’s aggressive, a scorer, a shooter and he’s offensive-minded,” said Maliksi, who was sidelined due to an adductor injury, bafter their 99-94 win over the Hotshots at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday,

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“He rebounds, he defends, he hustles. That’s what I see. He’ll be a big factor for us in the upcoming games eventually.”

With the absence of Maliksi, Cansino was able to notch minutes in his debut game while helping the Bolts start the import-laden conference on a high note.

The 2024 Draft first-rounder didn’t have the best game, though, playing for only 11 minutes and registering two points and four rebounds.

Maliksi, though, isn’t stressing about it just yet.

READ: PBA: CJ Cansino sees being a good fit with Meralco

“Right now, I can see that he’s still excited. He wants to show out right away but eventually, when he feels relaxed, he’ll get the feel on how to play properly.”

Cansino, meanwhile, is happy with the comparisons with Maliksi, who has been one of the cornerstones for Meralco in the PBA the recent years.

Meralco Bolts’ forward Allein Maliksi. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I asked him about his injuries, those two ACLs,” said Cansino in Filipino after his first professional basketball game.

“In my first training for Meralco, that’s who I saw who has a similar style of play. I’m happy that he sees it too. Of course, I’m excited because Kuya Maliksi has a good career.”

Aside from the style of player, players also have had the same experiences of coming back from two career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

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During his time with University of Santo Tomas a few years back, Cansino tore his ACL which made him fear for his basketball career, especially as a freshman for the Growling Tigers. He sustained the same injury when he was in UP.

However, with the bad comes the good. Both forwards have also earned something that not all players at the collegiate and professional level can brag about–a championship.

But while the similarities are almost uncanny, Cansino hopes for a more different career outcome than Maliksi’s.

For him, he wants to be better than his fellow forward, shooter and Bolt.

“Hopefully, I will become better than him. I think that’s what we all want to happen in our careers,” said Cansino.