Romwel Anzures

Meralco Bolts star CJ Cansino against the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals. Photo from PBA Images.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768390714246IMG_9670.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Meralco Bolts star CJ Cansino against the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals. Photo from PBA Images.</div>MANILA — CJ Cansino nearly willed the Meralco Bolts to survival in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals, erupting for a career-best 36 points in the do-or-die Game 5 on Wednesday.The key word: nearly.Despite his scoring explosion, Cansino committed a costly mistake in the closing moments that ultimately sealed Meralco’s 96-99 loss to the TNT Tropang 5G in the All-Filipino semifinals — a turnover he knew weighed heavily on the outcome.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/1/14/pba-tnt-deals-meralco-heartbreaking-loss-punches-all-filipino-finals-ticket-1949">READ: TNT deals Meralco heartbreaking loss, punches All-Filipino Finals ticket</a></div>“Andoon na eh, so sobrang regret din,” said Cansino, who poured in 17 points in the fourth quarter, while also adding five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.His late baskets helped Meralco erase a 10-point deficit and grab a 96-91 lead with just 27 seconds remaining. But after Rey Nambatac buried a four-pointer to pull TNT within one, 95-96, Cansino turned the ball over on the inbounds play before Jordan Heading made Meralco pay, converting the go-ahead basket with 21 seconds left.Cansino missed his final two attempts to salvage the game as time expired, but the former University of the Philippines standout refused to make excuses for his miscues.“Breaks of the game,” he said. “Hindi ko rin pwedeng i-excuse na bata ako eh. Mabigat, pero sobrang teaching moment sa akin ito.”Rather than dwell on the disappointment, the ex–University of Santo Tomas gunner chose to view the experience as a lesson, one he believes will further shape what has already been a promising young career.“Sobrang laking opportunity na matuto ako sa ganitong bagay. ‘Di man namin nakuha yung panalo, pero sobrang laki ng tinuro sa akin ng semis na ’to,” said Cansino, who previously set his career-high at 29 points during the eliminations.Cansino also stressed his desire to repay the trust shown by his teammates in the next conferences, which is why he is determined not to linger on the loss.“Nagtiwala yung mga teammates ko, and binibigay nila sa akin,” he said. “So, as a young player, yun yung nag-boost sa akin para kunin yung mga crucial moments na ganun.” <div> </div><div>Nowhere to go but UP for CJ</div>Cansino’s performance did not go unnoticed, earning high praises from Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo, who said the sophomore guard’s breakout night was no anomaly.“I’m extremely proud of CJ,” Trillo said of the one-time UAAP champion guard, who averaged 17.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 1.2 rebounds throughout the Philippine Cup.“He was the guy who kept us alive. The whole conference, he has really upped his game, so I think he is going to be one of the faces of the PBA,” he added.Much like how Cansino climbed the ranks during his collegiate years after battling injuries and setbacks, Trillo is confident his young star will continue that upward trajectory with Meralco.“He’s gonna get better,” Trillo said.

CJ Cansino nearly willed Meralco to survival in the #PBA50 Philippine Cup semifinals, erupting for a career-best 36 points in the do-or-die Game 5. The key word: nearly.

CJ Cansino nearly willed Meralco to survival in the #PBA50 Philippine Cup semifinals, erupting for a career-best 36 points in the do-or-die Game 5. The key word: nearly.

PBA: Cansino keeps head high after late blunder spoils career-game for Meralco

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PBA: Cansino keeps head high after late blunder spoils career-game for Meralco

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 14, 2026 10:14 PM PHT

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Basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

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PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup

PBA 50

PBA 50 Philippine Cup Semifinals

Meralco Bolts

TNT Tropang 5G

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