Heading into Friday’s bout with Rain or Shine, the Alaska Aces were fully aware that it will be a long night facing the dangerous Elasto Painters, as they do not have Gilas guys Calvin Abueva and Carl Cruz, and also Chris Banchero.
But luckily for them, Jvee Casio was there. And the seven-year pro churned a performance that showed he’s still the Aces’ main floor general.
The 31-year-old guard finished with a triple-double of 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists along with two steals, helping the Milkmen get past Maverick Ahanmisi and the Elasto Painters, 99-95, to head into the playoffs with confidence.
“Jvee’s our leader and we needed this game,” said head coach Alex Compton. “We’re obviously missing Calvin and Bryan and Chris.
“And in a game where we’re coming off losing two and really needed it, we all know Jvee’s special.”
Casio admitted that he wasn’t really aware that he got a triple-double. Because for him, all that was in his mind was to help the Aces win, for them to have ample momentum heading into the 2018 Philippine Cup quarters.
“Yung win lang kasi siyempre going to the playoffs gusto rin namin may confidence kami, especially maraming wala sa’min,” the 5-foot-10 floor general added.
“Nag-serve sila sa country and yung iba injured, so gusto lang namin yung tumaas yung confidence namin.”
The Gilas Pilipinas pioneer even downplayed this rare feat of his, as he is more elated with his team’s play especially in the payoff period, when the opposition took a handful of leads before bowing in the closing seconds.
“I think yung team effort yun yung mas importante kasi lumamang na kami tapos nawala pa, pero hindi nag-give up yung team,” lauded the La Salle great.
“I think yun yung mas glaring doon kaysa sa triple-double.”
