PBA: CJ Cansino sees recent struggles as his 'teacher' heading to Game 3 of Meralco-TNT semis series

CJ Cansino was a marked man in Meralco’s 109-92 loss to TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Cansino wound up with nine points, a far cry from the player he was in the elimination round, where he led the team in scoring with 19.18 points.

But it was something the sophomore guard saw coming from a mile away.

"Siyempre, maganda ang ipinakita ko [in the elimination round]. Nasa top ako ng opensa namin. Ini-expect ko ring ganoon ang mangyayari pero kailangan talagang mag-adjust,” said Cansino.

[RELATED STORY: PBA: Chot Reyes bares TNT mentality ahead of semis Game 2 win over Meralco]

Cansino admitted that his recent struggles got to him mentally.

But the former University of the Philippines standout refused to back down from the challenge, saying he also sees this as an opportunity to better his play.

“Sa’kin, it’s a good problem dahil may opportunity ako na... kasi 'yong experience na ‘to, for me, teacher ‘to para mag-grow ako, para i-elevate ko ang game ko. Which sa akin is a good problem,” Cansino said.

[ALSO READ: PBA: Cone sees no positives in Ginebra loss to San Miguel in PH Cup semis Game 2]

Now that the Bolts found themselves in a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series, Cansino is confident that they will figure out a way to climb back and make the series interesting.

“We need to believe. 'Yon ang sinasabi sa’min palagi ng mga beterano at coaches namin. Siyempre sa una, talagang down ka dahil Game 1, muntikan manalo tapos itong Game 2, parang hindi kami naglaro, eh. So morale namin, as of now, siyempre mababa,” Cansino said.

“Pero mini-make sure naming pagbalik namin... talagang titingnan namin, manniniwala kami kung anong puwede naming adjustment for the next game.”

Cansino and the rest of Meralco will aim to stop the bleeding in Game 3 Friday, Jan. 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Gametime is at 5:15 p.m.

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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.