CJ Cansino gave Meralco a shot at extending its PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal joust with TNT in Game 5, but the Bolts just could not pull through.
CJ Cansino was overwhelmed with frustration as he made his way back to the dugout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao Wednesday, Jan. 14.
Just moments ago, Cansino saw his career-best 36-point effort go to waste as TNT snatched a 99-96 win over his Meralco squad in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Still, the sophomore Bolt tried to stick to the positives from his first semifinal appearance.
[RELATED STORY: ‘Never give up’ mantra allows TNT to snatch Game 5 from Bolts, book PBA Finals ticket]
“Mabigat pero sobrang teaching moment sa'kin to. Sobrang laking opportunity na ibinigay sa'kin na matuto ako sa ganitong bagay,” said Cansino.
“Although hindi man namin nakuha ang panalo, pero on the positive side, sobrang laking itinuro sa'kin ng semis na ‘to.”
[RELATED STORY: PBA referee suspended for missing crucial foul by Oftana against Cansino in semis Game 5]
With the Bolts down 76-86, the University of the Philippines standout tried to salvage their campaign by dropping 15 of his total output in the final 4:41.
Cansino attributed that to his teammates’ trust.
“'Yong tiwala ng mga teammates ko, ibinibigay naman sa'kin. Siyempre, as a young player na makikita mo ang tiwala ng mga kuya mo sa'yo, 'yon ang nagbu-boost sa'kin na lumakas ang loob ko na kunin ang mga crucial moments na ganoon,” Cansino said.
CJ Cansino and the rest of the Meralco Bolts nearly have Game 5 in the bag. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
But what was supposed to be a heroic playoff moment turned into disappointment as Rey Nambatac nailed a four-pointer, while Jordan Heading made a steal in the ensuing play and scored the go-ahead basket for the Tropang 5G in a six-point swing that proved to be the difference maker.
“Breaks of the game. Hindi ko puwedeng i-excuse na bata ako. 'Yong experience na 'to, ito 'yong experience na tatatak talaga sa'kin,” Cansino said.
“Nandoon na, eh. Sobrang regret din. Papanoorin ko na lang ang film kung ano pang dapat kong gawin. Learning experience talaga," he added.
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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.