JVee Casio has always been known for making his presence felt in big games. From his days in the UAAP playing for DLSU, to the international exposure he received with the national team, Casio has always shown up when duty calls.
Last May, he caught no one by surprise when he answered the call for his team, the Alaska Aces, this time in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Casio, Alaska’s starting guard, led his team to victory as they swept the Ginebra Kings, 3-0, to win the championship. The former Green Archer was instrumental in his team’s victory as he delivered the dagger in crunch time. With around four minutes left in the last game of the series, Casio buried a triple and got fouled, sending the outnumbered Alaska crowd into a raucous. He then converted the ensuing free throw, his eighth straight point, and stretched the lead to 13, 92-79.
The Aces would then go on to win, 104-80, and Casio would claim his first championship in the PBA. He would finish with 18 points, four assists and three steals in the clinching match after averaging just 11.5 points per game over the first two meetings. The win was even sweeter for the former King Archer as he was matched up with Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, the former Alaska guard whom he replaced at the beginning of the season via trade.
To those who were familiar with Casio’s antics, this was nothing out of the ordinary. Things have come full circle for the former Green Archer who has hit countless clutch shots for La Salle.
Casio last suited up for the Green Archers in 2008 and was a key component of the 2004 (rescinded) and 2007 championship teams. He would then suit up for the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas National Team, where he was the lead guard. The 5’10 playmaker impressed in several international tilts and was oftentimes the best player on the team.
After a stellar international stint, he was made the top pick of the 2011 PBA Draft, and Casio would then be slotted into the starting point guard position in his first conference. He led the Powerade Tigers to a runner-up finish in his first conference, the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup.
Before his sophomore season though, Casio was traded to Alaska, who subsequently sent Tenorio to Ginebra in a three-team deal. There was immense pressure on Casio as Tenorio was a fan favorite and had just won the 2012 Jones Cup MVP after his stint with the national team.
Casio has proven to thrive in pressure and has historically shone in tough situations. Facing insurmountable odds against the undefeated UE Red Warriors in the 2007 UAAP Finals, Casio and the Green Archers won the championship in two games behind his steady play and leadership. Fast forward to 2013 and Casio is on a new team with new faces going up against the biggest names in the business. This doesn’t scare the young guard though, after he takes home yet another championship.
