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| CJ Cansino quickly found a home in Meralco despite having to leave Iloilo amid a last dash to the MPBL Playoffs. Dennis Acosta |
MANILA--When the clock struck midnight on Aug. 1, an interesting situation began for Iloilo.
The team had to let go of three key players, CJ Cansino, Mark Nonoy, and CJ Catapusan, who were all drafted to the PBA.
However, the club also known as the United Royals is also in the thick of things in the MPBL playoff race.
Iloilo, which made the postseason last year and came close to eliminating top-seeded Bacoor City in the first round of the South Division Playoffs, is currently ninth in the South at 8-14, two and a half games behind eighth-placed Negros (12-13).
However, with three matches at hand relative to the Muscovados, the United Royals somehow still have their playoff fate in their hands.
Iloilo, though, will have to do it without Cansino, who thanks to an MPBL preseason agreement got his release, paving his way to join Meralco in the PBA.
"Yung napagusapan naman namin sa Iloilo is hanggang ma-draft lang ako," Cansino told Dugout Philippines.
The former University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines star admitted that playing in the MPBL was not part of his plans but eventually said yes to the request of Iloilo head coach MC Abulucion.
In 15 games, Cansino emerged as the top scorer for the United Royals, averaging 18 points per game alongside 6.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.9 steals while leading them to playoff contention after a shaky start.
However, when the Bolts took him with the 11th pick of the recent PBA Draft, the release clause had to be activated.
Despite that, Cansino still ended up with another playoff contender, a better team at that since Meralco was fresh from winning the Philippine Cup championship.
"Maganda naman ang culture ng Meralco. Di naman ako nahirapang mag-adjust kasi iba yung pag-welcome nila sa rookie," Cansino further said, adding that he already felt at home with his new team.
Both the Bolts and the United Royals are interestingly scheduled for Thursday games.
Iloilo will take on Rizal, another team looking to seal its place in the MPBL Playoffs, at the Orion Sports Complex in Bataan.
Meralco, on the other hand, will face TNT at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
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