Iloilo United Royals sign former UP team captain CJ Cansino

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Iloilo United Royals just added one of the biggest names in the Philippine collegiate basketball scene to their playing roster for the 2024 Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) season.

Welcome to Iloilo, former King Maroon, CJ Cansino!

The United Royals management made everything official last January 12, 2024, after announcing Cansino’s arrival on their social media pages.

In the graphic post, Cansino posted for a photo op with United Royals owner Mr. JJ Javelosa and Ilonggo head coach MC Abolucion.

Fresh off a UAAP grand final appearance with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, Cansino is expected to bring the winning culture he had with the prestigious organization under the helm of former tactician Goldwyn Monteverde.

Cansino became a vital piece to UP’s stellar UAAP Season 86 run and averaged 10.9 points and 3.1 rebounds during his final eligible playing year with the Fighting Maroons.

It was a dominant display of basketball for Cansino and the Fighting Maroons after finishing the preliminary round with a win-loss record of 12-2 while also clinching the no. 1 spot in the Final Four.

After taking down the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles in the semifinals, the Fighting Maroons lost to a laser-focused DLSU Green Archers team in the championship series.

Silent what plans will he make after his senior year at Diliman, Cansino’s decision to take his talents to Iloilo created a buzz in the PHL hoops scene.

A hybrid guard who can also play the small forward position because of his length and size, the United Royals just secured another tremendous talent who can help them soar to greater heights this 2024 season.

Aside from Cansino, the United Royals also re-signed scoring guard Shaquille Imperial who had a great run during his debut with Iloilo.