JOHN Cansino emerged as one of the top all-around players in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament.
After the first round, the 6’1” University of Santo Tomas standout led the scoring and rebounding departments with 27.6 points and 11.6 rebounds.
Cansino is one of the new faces to reckon with in the junior division, aside from five members of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, who completed a seven-game sweep after the first round.
Last Saturday, the Tiger Cubs were once again led by Cansino, who had 32 points when they prevailed over University of the East, 106-99.
It was his second-highest output after he made 35 last Nov. 26 when the Tiger Cubs lost to the Nazareth School-National University Bullpups.
The Tiger Cubs improved their hold on third at 5-2 at the end of the first round and are in contention for a Final Four seat.
SJ Belangel led the Blue Eaglets with his averages of 16.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists, with Sean Ildefonso trailing him with his norms of 12.9 points and 8.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals.
Seven-footer Kai Sotto is there with his norms of 12.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, and so is Enrico Manuel (11.1 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists), and Jason Credo (9.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.7 steals. Peter Atencio
On the other hand, Agem Miranda of the University of the East is the second most productive scorer with 17.9 points, followed by Jose Sabandal (Adamson) with 16.3 points.
Belangel comes in at third place, also with 16.3 points followed by Matt Miranda (UPIS) with 15.9 points.
In the rebounding department, Sotto at no. 2 with 12.7 rebounds, while John Bismarck Lina is third with 12.
Raven Cortez of La Salle Zobel is fourth (10.9), followed by LJ Gonzales of Far Eastern University at fifth (9.7).