CJ Cansino speaks up on UST exit: 'Hindi mo naman puwede ipagpilitan 'yong sarili mo'

Former University of Santo Tomas team captain CJ Cansino on Friday revealed that he never actually wanted to part ways with the Growling Tigers.

In a statement, Cansino made it clear that he had no intention of leaving but he was kicked off the team.

"Kung mabibigyan lang ako ng isang rason kahit sobrang daming rason kung bakit aalis ako, mag-stay ako eh. Kasi gusto ko pa rin maglaro sa UST," the 20-year-old said. "Bigyan lang ako ng isang rason para hindi lumipat, maglalaro pa rin ako sa UST. Kaya lang, tinanggal ako eh."

"Hindi mo naman puwede ipagpilitan 'yong sarili mo. May pangarap din naman ako para sa sarili ko. Kaya sobrang lungkot lang na kailangan kong umalis sa UST kahit hindi ko gusto," he added.

Cansino, however, did not reveal the reason why he was taken off the team.

He expressed his gratitude to UST, which has been his home since high school.

"[U]ST is my dream school kaya nalulungkot talaga ako sa nangyari. Wala akong masabi kundi salamat sa suporta ng community, fans at admin. Ibang-iba ang mga Tomasino pagdating sa suporta," Cansino said.

He also thanked his UST coaches and teammates for making him a better player and person.

As for his next team, Cansino vowed to bring  with him everything he learned from the Tigers.

"Sa lilipatan ko, pinapangako ko na kung paano ko binigay ang buong puso at pagkatao ko sa UST, ganoon din ang makukuha niyo sa akin. Kung ano 'yong natutunan ko, hindi ko iiwan at dadalhin ko," he said.

On Thursday evening, news broke out that Cansino is parting ways with the Tigers.

Under his leadership as captain, Cansino brought his team to a runner-up finish in the UAAP Season 82 men's basketball tournament behind champion Ateneo de Manila University.

Last season, in his sophomore year, Cansino averaged 6.07 points and 4.29 rebounds. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/MGP, GMA News