Following the UP Fighting Maroons' Finals Game 1 win, team captain CJ Cansino speaks about how his squad was able to maintain a gigantic lead against DLSU, how they have to secure the UAAP title after failing to do so in Season 85, and how proud he is of the growth of budding star Aldous Torculas. #UAAPSeason86 #UAAPFinals
Read: https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/finals-men-basketball-game-results-up-fighting-maroons-la-salle-green-archers-november-29-2023/
Read: https://www.rappler.com/sports/uaap/finals-men-basketball-game-results-up-fighting-maroons-la-salle-green-archers-november-29-2023/
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00:00 Now joined by UP Fighting Maroons veteran player CJ Cancino. CJ, what was the difference in
00:06 the UP Fighting Maroons being able to establish an early lead against LaSalle and never looking back to go up 1-0?
00:12 Well, in a team like this, we know that LaSalle has already won a few games.
00:20 We can't afford to start a bad game.
00:26 So we really need to give a good start and I'm happy that we were able to do that.
00:32 So in recent years, when you're winning, usually there's a chance that the lead disappears and it becomes close at the end.
00:40 What was the difference about today? What did your team do that you thought, "Okay, the lead won't disappear today"?
00:46 Well, I think we've learned from past games this season.
00:51 We know that sometimes, if we start well, we can catch up.
00:56 And I'm happy that in the first game, in the elimination, it happened to us.
01:02 So after the Final 4 and the Finals, we brought those learnings and we learned that
01:09 when we win, we don't need to come back.
01:13 You were in a similar situation like this last season, right?
01:16 Up 1-0 against Ateneo, Ateneo wins games 2 and 3.
01:19 So as the captain, the veteran, being in that situation last year,
01:23 how are you going to remind your team that we've been here before but let's not let the same thing happen again?
01:28 Well, I always remind them, you know, the pain we felt last season
01:34 that we won game 1 and then we let game 2 and 3 go.
01:40 And you know, the motivation that they give is different because of course, it's painful.
01:45 If they remember that, and I also reminded them that after game 3, I said,
01:51 you need to feel the pain, you need to remember the pain because
01:56 we will remind each other that if we reach that situation again,
02:01 we will make sure that we learn again.
02:04 That we will learn something from that game.
02:07 Are you already getting a little bit emotional that this might be your final UAP game
02:11 coming up this weekend, maybe next Wednesday?
02:14 Of course, I want it to be my last game on Sunday.
02:20 And of course, it's emotional because it's a long journey, I've been through a lot,
02:25 there are a lot of people, and hopefully, it will be my last game on Sunday.
02:30 One of the guys that you've mentored in this team is Aldus Terculles,
02:35 who you've been very close with since you arrived at UP.
02:38 So watching him perform the way he did today in the finals like that,
02:41 how proud does that make you?
02:43 I'm very proud because I saw the up and down of the kid.
02:48 The type that sometimes calls me if he needs help because he loses confidence.
02:56 And of course, as a brother, I'm very happy that he performed well in the end,
03:04 his character came out as a player, and you know, he's a big help to the team.
03:09 So I'm very happy for him.
03:11 Thank you, CJ.
03:12 Thank you.
03:13 (speaking in foreign language)