Fans divided over CJ Cansino’s antics, admits emotions got best of him in UP's loss to Ateneo

Despite the UP Fighting Maroons’ heartbreaking 99-89 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles on Sunday, comebacking guard CJ Cansino had himself quite a game, dropping a fire stat line of 22 points on a hyper-efficient 10-for-17 clip from the field, six rebounds, and two blocks.

 Unfortunately, none of that mattered because, first, UP ultimately lost what would have been its seventh straight win. Second, Cansino's brilliance has somewhat been overshadowed by the shush gesture he did in the third quarter when he was leading the Fighting Maroons’ thrilling comeback. 

 Not a few netizens on X (formerly Twitter) didn’t take Cansino’s actions lightly.

yes, swag is normal sa mga sports. pero yung dilaan mo bench players ng kalaban mo pati ibang crowd? asan respeto mo, cj?

cJ cAnsInO is tHe sTandArD my ass, UTUT 🫵🏻🫵🏻🫵🏻#UAAPSeason86 pic.twitter.com/b2LX8uN2uS

— kai (@i4bdl) October 23, 2023

all those cj cansino shh-ing ateneo crowd and pandidila sa bench players just to get their 1st defeat this szn ooh- 🙊

— ily ariana (@ajeyk_) October 22, 2023

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA last na may nag-🤫 position, na-lotty sila. wait ko nalang after 4 quarters ano mangyayare🫣

— amor (@notseanqtvs24) October 22, 2023

 After the game, Cansino admitted emotions might have gotten the best out of him. After all, it was a highly charged game—a battle between the last two champions of UAAP, with UP going for a first round sweep and Ateneo fighting to keep a winning record.

“Siguro dala na lang ng emotion ‘yun sa game kasi sobrang sarap maglaro, lalo na 'pag maraming tao,” Cansino said in the postgame press conference. “Wala naman akong narinig na nagta-trash talk, siguro dala na lang din ng emotion.”

The UP community obviously got Cansino’s back, with some of them pointing out that “basketball is an emotional game.”

those bebob fans who shit on cj cansino for doing that gesture don’t know real basketball. It’s BASKETBALL, those players get emotional on the court, win or lose. LET THEM PLAY THEIR HEART OUT. Try niyo kaya kayo yung maglaro during a crucial game and still do good?

— sasa (@forupalways) October 22, 2023

Ang OA naman ng mga naoffend sa 🤫 ni CJ Cansino...

Walang fun bone in your body mga bhie? 🤣

— Nc ? (@yayserotonin) October 22, 2023

Puro mukha ni CJ Cansino yung nasa fyp ko, pero kapag titingnan yung caption 🤫 is it their way to celebrate their win?

— Divine (@DIVAyneGrace) October 23, 2023

Of course, the opposing sides can talk all they want about Cansino’s now viral moment. But for now, those against the former UAAP Rookie of the Year have bragging rights—at least until the two heavyweights meet again.

For the time being, this meme takes the cake:

Paki RT na lang hanggang makarating kay @cjcansino #UAAPSeason86 pic.twitter.com/JNeREX9bWH

— Marc Miranda (@MarcMiranda) October 22, 2023

Gotta love the UAAP.

(PM)