CJ Cansino was at the center of Meralco’s attack in its first two games back in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
CJ Cansino suffered an ankle injury a month ago, but he admitted he has yet to regain full strength.
Despite this, his back-to-back stellar performances showed otherwise as he led Meralco to an 88-78 win over Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Friday, Dec. 12.
Cansino finished with 22 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal to earn his second consecutive Player of the Game nod.
[WATCH: PBA LIVESTREAM: Meralco Bolts vs Phoenix Fuel Masters | Philippine Cup]
“Hindi ka naman kasi totally makaka-recover kaagad sa sprain. Talagang kahit medyo masakit, talgang ipipilit mo,” said Cansino, whose team closed in on a quarterfinal berth with a 5-4 tally.
“For me, hindi 'yon hadlang para makatulong ako. Kung 60 percent ako, ibibigay ko ang 100 percent ng 60 percent ko para sa team.”
But it was not just Cansino who stepped up in a game where the Bolts led by as many as 17 points but had to hold off a late Fuel Masters surge for the win.
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Chris Newsome also came up big with 17 points, including huge twin three pointers inside the last 3:32.
Bong Quinto added 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Phoenix threatened within three, 72-75, on Jason Perkins’ basket.
But the Bolts quickly responded with a seven-to-nothing run to push the lead back to double-digits, 82-72, and did just enough from there.
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Perkins and Ricci Rivero paced the Fuel Masters with 13 points apiece and combined for 11 rebounds.
Ken Tuffin had 12 markers and six boards for Phoenix, which is now officially out of the playoff race with a 3-7 card.
Meralco vs. Phoenix Scores:
MERALCO 88 – Cansino 22, Newsome 17, Quinto 11, Hodge 10, Rios 9, Reyson 9, Banchero 6, Bates 4, Almazan 0, Pascual 0, Maliksi 0
PHOENIX 78 – Perkins 13, Rivero 13, Tuffin 12, Nelle 10, Garcia 9, Tio 8, Santos 6, Ando 4, Ballungay 3, Manganti 0, Jazul 0, Taha 0, Kwekuteye 0, Caperal 0
Quarterscores: 30-19, 53-45, 71-65, 88-78
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.