Former University of Santo Tomas team captain CJ Cansino has been in the hot seat for the past two days after news broke out that he will take his act to University of the Philippines.
Now that the dust has settled, Cansino can take a breather -- for now -- after UP accepted him with open arms.
The 20-year-old Cansino admitted feeling “drained” and “exhausted” for the past months due to the coronavirus pandemic while facing the recent dilemma.
During that span, the Tigers have been training in Sorsogon via bubble system since June, ABS-CBN News reported.
But Cansino, though not covering the specifics of their life in the bubble, cited “mental health” as one of the reasons why he left the training camp.
“Inaatake ako ng anxiety,” the former UAAP juniors’ MVP told Carmela Tunay in the “Anong Tunay?! show. “Napansin na rin ng family ko na pumapayat ako kasi hindi ako masyado makatulog. Nahirapan ako makatulog, nahihirapan din ako kumain wala akong gana.”
That said, he reminded fellow Filipinos not to belittle mental health problems in these trying times.
"Kaya kung may mga kaibigan kayo family kayo na may problem sa mental health, 'wag natin gawing biro 'yun," the outspoken guard said.
“Hanggang ngayon sa mga Pilipino, akala nila ‘yung mental health parang sipon – akala nila sobrang dali lang ‘’wag mo na isipan yan, magdasal ka lang.’ Hindi po ganun yun, hindi ganun kadali.
“Kung anu-ano talaga papasok sa isip mo, kung anu-ano ‘yung mararamdaman mo. Akala mo mentally strong ka na, pero hindi pala talaga," he added.
Cansino, who spoke on behalf of the team as its captain, expressed the general desire to go home from the “Bicol bubble” to visit their families.
His sentiments took an unexpected turn as coach Aldin Ayo took away Cansino’s captain badge and eventually removed him from the team for “defiance of authority,” the report added.