Mom, My No. 1: CJ Cansino’s late mother’s fighting spirit lives on in him

CJ Cansino is a self-confessed mama’s boy.

 While he may have heartbreakingly lost his mother, Rowena, two years ago, Cansino keeps the lessons he learned from her in his heart.

 Seeing her fight through sickness since he was young, Cansino only has his mother to thank for the survivor spirit that lies within him.

 The Meralco Bolt, who has overcome a fair share of ordeals in his young career, looks back with fondness on the beautiful memories he shared with his mom in One Sports' Mother's Day special.

OS: Were you close to your mom? Please describe your relationship.

Cansino: 'Yong mom ko, si Rowena Cansino. Ang naalala ko, parang 48 years old na sana siya ngayon. Ano ako, mama’s boy. Hindi ko ikinakahiyang mama’s boy ako. Sobrang close ko sa Mama ko na noong time na bata pa ako, hindi ako makatutulog nang hindi ko siya katabi. So sobrang close ko talaga sa kaniya.

 OS: What were your favorite bonding moments with your mom?

 Cansino: Ang pinaka-favorite ko is 'yong 'pag inihahatid nila ako sa mga games. Kasi wala silang games na hindi napanood. Lagi siyang nanonood. Kasabay ko siya noong hindi pa ako nakakapag-drive.

[RELATED STORY: Mom, My No. 1: Christian David treasures fulfilling PBA dream with mother by his side]

 OS: What are your favorite memories of her?

 Cansino: Tuwing umuuwi lang ako sa Valenzuela. Kasi since nag-start akong mag-basketball sa UST (University of Santo Tomas), hindi na ako nakauuwi. Best memory ko talaga 'yong 'pag umuuwi ako ng bahay.

[RELATED STORY: Mom, My No. 1: Felix Pangilinan-Lemetti cherishes even simplest moments with his mother]

 OS: Give a message for your mom by filling in the blanks.

 Thank you, Mom, for ______.

 Cansino: Thank you, Mom, for teaching me how to survive. Kasi may sakit siya since bata ako. Nakikita ko talagang lumalaban siya. Ganoon din ang nangyari sa'kin: ACL, maraming issues. So tinuruan niya akong mag-survive na even though maraming magiging problema, tuloy lang ang buhay.

OS: Sorry, Mom, for ______.

Cansino: Sorry, Mom, for sacrificing my time na hindi siya kasama kasi palagi akong nagba-basketball, palagi akong wala sa bahay. Hindi ko siya nakakasama.

 OS: I love you, Mom, because ______.

 Cansino: I love you, Mom, because you’re my mom.