Meralco Bolts’ rookie CJ Cansino throughout his PBA debut within the Governors’ Cup. -PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco could have struck gold in drafting CJ Cansino, who’s being touted youthful model of the the Bolts’ champion sniper Allein Maliksi.
After Meralco’s season-opening win over Magnolia within the PBA Governors’ Cup, Maliksi mentioned he sees some eerie similarities between him and the College of the Philippines product.
“I sort of see CJ as a youthful me. He’s aggressive, a scorer, a shooter and he’s offensive-minded,” mentioned Maliksi, who was sidelined resulting from an adductor damage, bafter their 99-94 win over the Hotshots at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday,
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup elimination spherical
“He rebounds, he defends, he hustles. That’s what I see. He’ll be a giant issue for us within the upcoming video games ultimately.”
With the absence of Maliksi, Cansino was capable of notch minutes in his debut recreation whereas serving to the Bolts begin the import-laden convention on a excessive notice.
The 2024 Draft first-rounder didn’t have the perfect recreation, although, enjoying for under 11 minutes and registering two factors and 4 rebounds.
Maliksi, although, isn’t stressing about it simply but.
READ: PBA: CJ Cansino sees being an excellent match with Meralco
“Proper now, I can see that he’s nonetheless excited. He desires to point out out straight away however ultimately, when he feels relaxed, he’ll get the texture on find out how to play correctly.”
Cansino, in the meantime, is proud of the comparisons with Maliksi, who has been one of many cornerstones for Meralco within the PBA the latest years.
Meralco Bolts’ ahead Allein Maliksi. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
“I requested him about his accidents, these two ACLs,” mentioned Cansino in Filipino after his first skilled basketball recreation.
“In my first coaching for Meralco, that’s who I noticed who has an identical fashion of play. I’m comfortable that he sees it too. In fact, I’m excited as a result of Kuya Maliksi has an excellent profession.”
Other than the fashion of participant, gamers even have had the identical experiences of getting back from two career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
READ: CJ Cansino says ‘boy mantika’ remarks by no means bothered him
Throughout his time with College of Santo Tomas just a few years again, Cansino tore his ACL which made him concern for his basketball profession, particularly as a freshman for the Growling Tigers. He sustained the identical damage when he was in UP.
Nevertheless, with the unhealthy comes the great. Each forwards have additionally earned one thing that not all gamers on the collegiate {and professional} stage can brag about–a championship.
However whereas the similarities are virtually uncanny, Cansino hopes for a extra completely different profession final result than Maliksi’s.
For him, he desires to be higher than his fellow ahead, shooter and Bolt.
“Hopefully, I’ll turn out to be higher than him. I believe that’s what all of us need to occur in our careers,” mentioned Cansino.
