Ja Morant’s grit fuels CJ Cansino’s comeback mindset

CJ Cansino and Ja Morant both saw their careers sidetracked by injuries, and now, the former hopes to mirror the latter's hard work and consistency as he pushes forward in his own professional journey in the PBA.

"Siguro ‘yung hard work niya and consistency niya kasi makikita naman natin sa NBA na na-injure siya and then bumalik so marami siyang pinagdaanan pero andito pa rin siya," Cansino said during Morant's one-day Manila visit last Friday.

"Tumutulong [siya] na maging inspiration sa mga bata, pumupunta kung saan-saan para mapakita niya na pwede, posible."

Cansino had his fair share of injuries in the past, sustaining a knee injury during his rookie year with the University of Santo Tomas in Season in 2018.

Cansino then transferred to University of the Philippines and played crucial role in the Fighting Maroons' historic Season 84 title run. He, however, missed the entire Season 85 after undergoing a right knee injury.

In the pro scene, the 25-year-old wingman had also been sidelined for more than two months due to an ankle injury he sustained during Meralco's Governors' Cup quarterfinal clash against Ginebra last September.

Cansino, who was among those select players who got the chance to play in an exhibition game in front of Morant at The Courtyard BGC, said he is hoping to emulate Morant's resilience.

Morant once battled through injuries himself, sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in January 2024 that also reduced him to a spectator for the Memphis Grizzlies.

"Oo naman kasi syempre ‘pag player ka, may titignan ka talaga na NBA player kasi alam mo ‘yung pinagdaanan nila," Cansino said.

"Isa si Ja Morant doon and sobrang happy ko na nandito sa Manila."

Armed with both his personal journey and the inspiration drawn from Morant, Cansino hopes to take a significant step forward as he enters his sophomore year with the Bolts.

"Ang masasabi ko sa rookie year ko ay marami akong natutunan and alam ko na ‘yung mga gagawin ko at alam ko na ‘yung mga i-i-improve ko so sa second year, siguro more on application na lang."

—JKC, GMA Integrated News