Graduating CJ Cansino, Malick Diouf see bright future for UP after departure

University of the Philippines’ graduating seniors CJ Cansino and Malick Diouf believe that the Fighting Maroons will continue to shine brighter than ever even after their departure.

After failing to reclaim the UAAP title against the De La Salle Green Archers in their historic best-of-three Finals series in the Season 86 earlier this week, the duo seemed to be coping fairly well despite what just went down.

For one, Cansino returned to Katipunan for his final year after recovering from an ACL injury and captained the squad to its first-ever top seed finish in the league’s elimination.

Cansino was also one of the holdovers who gave UP its first title in 36 years in Season 84 that eventually turned into three consecutive finals appearances – two of which ending in back-to-back runner-up finishes.

“Nakita naman ‘yung laro. Binigay naman ‘yung best ng team. We fell short and ganun talaga ‘yung buhay. Hindi talaga para sa amin,” said Cansino.

The 24-year-old guard is optimistic that the Fighting Maroons will continue to be one of the tournament’s top contenders which was just a far-flung dream for three decades.

As he leaves UP to now seek professional opportunities, Cansino is confident about what the future has in store for the squad.

“Hindi ako worried sa future ng UP kasi kung paano sila mag-alaga and ‘yung coaches talaga grabe eh. Siguro ang masasabi ko lang kailangan lang nila magtrabaho para ma-meet ‘yung standard na hinahanap nila,” said Cansino.

“Siyempre sinabi namin [sa players] na andito lang din naman kami ni Malick if they need help. So ganun talaga. Pero may chance pa naman ‘yung mga bago next season.”

For Season 85 MVP Diouf, there was nothing left to be said than to be grateful for his three-season stint with the Fighting Maroons.

“I just wanna say, thank you, Allah for the blessing to play in this finals and play for UP. We fell short but that’s life. For my career I think… I did a lot of things in UP. So thank you,” said Diouf.

“I think they’re gonna have a good future. Seeing the rookies right now, they have Maimai, like Aldous and others. I think they’re gonna go far. I wish they would go far because as CJ said, we will be there for them, anywhere. If they need help from us,” he added.

For now, Diouf’s plans revolve around recovering from injuries he had endured and played with in the recently concluded season.

During the second round of the elimination, the two-time Mythical Five member suffered a right wrist sprain that sidelined him in UP’s match against La Salle which consequently also ended in a defeat.

“For now, I need to rest well before thinking about the next. I have a lot of injuries. I have a fracture on my right wrist and a fracture on my left finger and I was playing with that. I need to fix it after this and think about my next [steps].”