JK Casino. PBA IMAGES
Boasting of a well-rounded cast of guards, Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya is confident that whoever he pulls from his bench is capable of orchestrating the team’s offense.
And on Thursday, it was JK Casino’s turn to take the spotlight.
The 22-year-old gunner kickstarted the pullaway for the Bakers, nailing four treys to help his squad fire a 17-2 run en route to an 86-70 win over AMA Online Education.
“Pag nakashoot ako, feeling ko next na tira ko, mashu-shoot ulit. Ganun ang nasa isip ko lagi. Ang advantage ko sa iba, once nakashoot ako, gusto ko makuha ko ulit yung bola kasi feeling ko mashu-shoot ko ulit,” he said.
READ: PBA D-League: Casino waxes hot as Cafe France eliminates AMA
Casino oozed with confidence as he provided the spark for a sluggish Cafe France crew, finishing with 20 points on a scintillating 6-of-11 shooting from three.
Still reeling from the Bakers’ shock 75-74 defeat to Tanduay last Monday, Casino admitted that the whole team’s game was affected by their urge to close the game quick.
“Sa sobrang aggressive namin mag-bounce back, pumangit ang laro namin,” he said. “Siguro pagod din dahil magkakalapit yung laro, pero buti na lang in the end, nag-usap-usap at nakapag-regroup kaya nakabalik kami. Nag-focus lang kami sa kung anong gagawin namin.”
The game could also be considered as a coming out party of sorts for Casino, rising from the shadows of famed teammates Paul Zamar, Mon Abundo, and Aaron Jeruta.
But for the Claveria, Misamis Oriental native, his emergence gives opponents a glimpse of how dangerous Cafe France can be once everyone clicks.
“Yung guards namin, kahit sino ang ipasok, makakagawa at makaka-score. Sa practice, ang mindset na namin, if you’re open, you have to shoot it. Kahit sino sa amin, pag open, kailangan talaga tumira at kaya nilang tumira,” he said.
Though still on cloud nine after nabbing the win, Casino made it clear that Cafe France’s focus is on claiming one of the top two spots, which comes with a twice-to-beat incentive in the semifinals.
“Before pa nung game na ito, sabi na ni coach na kailangan namin mag-focus sa remaining games. One by one, crucial yun para sa positioning. Ine-aim namin yung top two spots para may twice-to-beat advantage kami,” he said, as the Bakers also eye to keep the Foundation Cup title in their clutches. “Last year, nag-champion kami. Nung natalo kami last conference, bumalik kami kaagad sa ensayo. Ganoon kami ka-eager na makabawi at ma-defend yung crown namin.”