Rookie of the Year

Handing of individual awards for Season 81 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines is still weeks away but this early I am calling the winner for Rookie of the Year.
My choice for top UAAP freshman for this season? University of Santo Tomas’ CJ Cansino.
Last season’s UAAP juniors most valuable player while playing for the UST Tiger Cubs, Cansino is transitioning quite well in seniors play.
In 10 games to date, Cansino is averaging 13.3 points, 11 rebounds (fourth in the league) and 3.8 assists (third) per game.
More importantly, he has helped a rookie-laden UST squad make heads turn in the ongoing season of the UAAP.
Currently the Tigers are at solo fourth place with a 5-5 record and making a strong claim for one of the Final Four spots heading into the wind-up of the elimination round, not bad for a team that at season’s start was deemed to struggle being a rebuilding team and all.
And the thing about the game of the 6’1” wingman Cansino, apart from the steady stellar numbers, is how he does it seemingly in an effortless manner.
Rarely have I seen him overextend himself like most of the league stars right now yet he does not fail to leave his imprint on games.
He is playing “within the system” laid out by UST coach Aldin Ayo and is delivering accordingly.
Case in point was their recent game against the University of the East Red Warriors on Oct. 28 where UST emerged on top, 79-68, and Cansino finishing with a triple-double of 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.
I was there at the FilOil Flying V Centre covering the match and did not sense that he was going for a triple-double.
He just went about his game, doing what he is capable of and adjusting to what was presented to him – another day in the office so to speak – and voila the stat sheet showed a TD for the rookie by the end of the game.
Quite deservingly so, the triple-double showing against UE earned for Cansino his second UAAP player of the week honors, given by the league press corps.
At the current rate he is going, and how willing he is to continue developing his game, I do not see any other freshman player stopping Cansino from claiming the rookie of the year.
Mind you, I also like Dave Ildefonso (14.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 2.5 apg) of National University, who will be the cornerstone of that team, but with the Bulldogs struggling collectively and lagging behind in the standings, my vote goes to Cansino.
Heck, if UST manages to land in the Final Four, I would not be surprised if Cansino figures in the mythical selection and, even, MVP talk.
In winning his second player of the week award, Cansino beat out teammate Marvin Lee, Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena, La Salle’s Brandon Bates, and Adamson’s Jerrick Ahanmisi.
NOTE: The UAAP is temporarily taking a break for the All Soul’s holiday and will resume action on Nov. 3 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Seeing action are La Salle versus UST at 2 p.m. and University of the Philippines against NU at 4 p.m.
 
Michael Angelo S. Murillo has been a columnist since 2003. He is a BusinessWorld reporter covering the Sports beat.
msmurillo@bworldonline.com