JV Casio: From Archer to Ace

From a Red Cub to a Green Archer, Joseph Evans ‘JV’ Casio (SPM, 2008) is now making waves in the professional league. He is now the starting point guard of the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

A king Archer

Casio started his collegiate career in the 66th season of the UAAP. He was then awarded the Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

In La Salle’s last championship in 2007, Casio was hailed Finals co-MVP with Pocholo Villanueva. During the same season, he was a member of the Mythical Five of the UAAP; he received his second Mythical team award the next season. That same year, Casio made his final run as an Archer.

Starting with formal basketball

Casio started playing basketball at the age of seven. He started by watching his brother play at their village and started his formal training during his stay at San Beda College.

Casio remembered, “I first tried out sa organized basketball in San Beda when I was in grade five. That continued on to high school.”

Casio emerged as one of the top guns in his high school days as a Red Cub. He was known for his outside shooting skills, which made collegiate scouts interested to recruit him. San Beda tried to ask Casio to stay while Ateneo, FEU, and La Salle also made offers.

Staying in the Green side

Casio expressed, “I really wanted to play for La Salle. First of all, bago pa ung tryouts sa La Salle, I already took the entrance exam, and I just wanted to study there.” He argues that chose to don the Green-and-White jersey because of the quality education that La Salle provides to students.

The Alaska Aces player also described his stay at La Salle as more than just basketball. He furthers, “Very memorable, madami akong na-experience hindi lang sa basketball kung hindi socially and sa studies din.”

Casio also added that he enjoyed being part of the team. He remembered the year DLSU swept the preseason Philippine Collegiate Champion’s League (PCCL) and the UAAP championships. He explained, “Winning that champion streak as a member of the group was very special.”

International stints

After leaving DLSU, JV played for the Smart-Gilas program built to cater National Team members. The former Archer made much noise in the international competitions he joined because of his outside shooting and playmaking skills.

In 2009, he did not join the pool of PBA draftees to render service for the country. Everything was worth it for JV. He argued that he gained much experience and attitude from his international stint, but continues to attribute much to La Salle.

Stepping into the PBA

In 2011, JV Casio decided to play in the professional level. He was drafted 1st overall by the Powerade Tigers.

Casio reminisced, “Like when you play in the league they just want you to give a 100 percent every game. There’s so much pressure, but I try to overcome it.”

In his rookie season, Casio posted norms of 11.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds. These numbers though were not enough to give Casio the Rookie of the Year honors. Despite missing the Rookie of the Year award, JV was hailed Sportsman of the Year in his rookie season.

After a season with the Tigers, where he helped anchor a Cinderella run in his first conference, Casio was traded to the Alaska Aces to replace the spot of former Blue Eagle LA Tenorio. Casio continues to play for the Aces as a steady point guard for his Lasallian Coach Luigi Trillo. His averages with the aces are 13.4 markers, 4.3 dishes, and 3.5 boards.

In Casio’s entire stay in the PBA, he has shown consistency and provided stability to his team. Only in his second year as a professional player, Casio is set to fire more than the 131 triples he made in the PBA.

A proud Lasallite

Casio ended, “I’m proud to say that I am a Lasallian and I’ll bring that ‘til the end of my life.”