PBA: Cansino offers no excuse for Meralco loss in rain-hit game

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco rising star CJ Cansino didn’t dwell on what could’ve been for the Bolts in a loss to Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The game was up for grabs through three quarters with the Hotshots leading the Bolts by just one, 71-70, before a water leakage from the roof of the stadium caused by the heavy rain halted play for about 30 minutes.

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When the game resumed, Meralco was sluggish, while Magnolia pulled away after opening the final frame with a 19-5 surge.

Asked if the long interruption played a factor in the Bolts’ lackluster fourth quarter, Cansino didn’t make it an excuse.

“It was part of the game. They felt the same way during the break. We had the same scenarios,” Cansino told the Inquirer after the 105-88 loss. “We just had to overcome those kinds of things but sadly, it didn’t work for us.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s unusual but it would’ve been nice if we had won. We needed this to bolster our playoff hopes. Now, we just need to win the next games to increase our chances.”

Cansino, who returned from a hip injury, scored 15 in the loss that sent Meralco to the bottom of Group B standings with a 2-5 card. Antonio Hester paced the Bolts with 24.