JVee Casio
Perhaps the only question asked Sunday night was if Powerade’s jacket and cap would fit JVee Casio well.
But for the man of the moment, it wasn’t just another ceremony — it was a lifelong dream unraveling before his eyes at the 2011 PBA Rookie Draft.
“It’s been a dream for me to play in the PBA,” said Casio, a vital cog of the Smart Gilas Pilipinas.
“I wanted to hear it first before I put it in my head that I’m really the top pick,” added the 25-year-old Casio. “Honestly, I really didn’t think about it if I’ll be the top pick or not.”
At first, Casio came in the draft venue later than his peers and his body language not indicating that he’s about to become only the fourth point guard to be taken number one overall.
Casio was relatively quiet while he was waiting for his name, and smiled meekly as his name was called while guys like Mac Baracael, Chris Lutz and Mark Barroca, who were also selected early, were all smiles and giddy.
“I still can’t believe it,” said an overwhelmed Casio.
But make no mistake, as reserved as Casio is off the court, being tabbed as the first overall pick in one of the deepest draft class in recent memory is a testament of how talented he is.
Like a double-bladed weapon, Casio’s effectiveness goes different ways — give him enough room and he’ll confidently bury a triple, be too wary of him being an outside threat and he’ll deceptively drive past his defender with a runner.
Question is, can Casio shine in the cutthroat world of the pro-basketball like he did in the international stage?
“I already played in the PBA [with Smart Gilas], so I understand its way of play,” said Casio. “But it will also take time for me to adjust.”
With the Tigers in dire need of another scorer not named Gary David, Casio’s clutch contributions will definitely come in handy as the All-Filipino Cup starts in October
“We all know how Gary [David] plays, he’s a very good player. He’s very talented and playing with him is an honor,” shared Casio.
And with fellow national team standout and sniper Marcio Lassiter also in tow, Casio will have a familiar face ready for his timely kick out passes.
“I think right now the team’s focus is to go up and try our best to improve our position. And for me, I’ll help and try to contribute in every way I can,” said Casio, who incidentally bolstered his draft value after a scintillating showing in the recently concluded William Jones Cup.
Casio is expected to do great things donning a Powerade jersey, just as a he did as a Green Archer, and hopefully also for the Philippines in the FIBA Asia this September before his full attention shifts to the PBA.
The jacket the Tigers gave him as he stepped on stage ran a little big, with its sleeves already covering his fingertips. And It may be by design as Casio, standing at five-foot-10 on a good day, is known to play way bigger than his size.