FILE–PBA guard Jvee Casio ends his Alaska stint. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—JVee Casio left his longtime club but he will be having a reunion with an old coach.
The top overall pick of the original Gilas draft in 2011 said he’s ready to face the challenge of helping Blackwater get back into contention in the PBA while also looking forward of re-joining former coach Ariel Vanguardia.
Casio, in an interview with sports talk show The Game, said he’s looking forward for the new opportunity with the Bossing after playing for nearly a decade under Alaska’s banner.
“It’s a new challenge and new opportunity for me playing here in Blackwater,” said Casio.
The 35-year-old point guard played spent his first year in the league with the Powerade Tigers but was dealt to the Aces in the 2012-13 season replacing LA Tenorio who was shipped to Barangay Ginebra.
Casio proved to be an immediate successor as he helped the Aces to the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup—his first and only title to date.
The former La Salle Green Archer would spend the next eight years with Alaska before he and forward Barkley Eboña were traded to Blackwater for Mike Tolomia.
Initially surprised with the move, Casio learned to accept his new situation and playing once more for Vanguardia gave him ease in his new environment.
Vanguardia coached Casio before in Toyota Otis in the now defunct Philippine Basketball League.
“I’ve been with coach Ariel before, it was a bit of a long time ago, but I’m happy he’s the coach,” said Casio.
“We’ll try to change some little things, and that’s what coach Ariel has been working on, just the little things. It’s a great thing to have those details, we have to be one and we should have the same track in leading this franchise and show that we can compete.”