CJ Cansino carried the Meralco Bolts on his back, scoring a career-high 29 points to lead the team to a 105-84 victory over the Converge FiberXers and secure an outright quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday, December 14. The win capped a five-night stretch where Cansino earned consecutive Best Player of the Game honors, lifting Meralco from the lower ranks to a 6-4 record and in contention for the Top Four twice-to-beat incentive.

The Bolts now sit in a tie with the FiberXers and NLEX Road Warriors, with Rain or Shine and San Miguel Beer leading at 7-2, followed by TNT and Magnolia at 6-3. Their final push comes against San Miguel Beer on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Cansino’s breakout performances

Cansino’s 29-point outburst came on 10-of-17 shooting, including three triples, showcasing his aggressive yet smart offensive approach. “Sobrang importante ng game na ito, at thankful ako na nakatulong sa team ko,” said the former UP Maroons standout. “Nasasakto sa akin ang bagsak ng bola. And we’re reminded na maging aggressive, at hindi lang maging aggressive pero matalino rin. At yun, sumu-shoot ang bola eh.”

Meralco coach Luigi Trillo praised the young guard’s all-around impact. “CJ is stepping up. It’s actually his fifth Best Player honors in six games. And what’s good for him is he’s playing defense too. He took on Juan Gomez de Liano in the fourth (quarter) in this game,” Trillo said.

Team effort lifts Meralco

Cansino received key support from Cliff Hodge and Aaron Black, who scored 18 and 16 points, respectively, while Raymond Almazan and Chris Newsome contributed 14 and 10 points. The Bolts dominated from start to finish, opening with a 10-0 run to take a 33-7 lead after the first basket, and never looked back in an all-Meralco performance.

The victory not only guarantees Meralco’s quarterfinals spot but also positions the team favorably for a shot at the twice-to-beat advantage, keeping their championship hopes alive.