Casio leaves Gilas cage program for PBA draft

JV Casio will be among Smart Gilas Pilipinas' key players that applied for the coming PBA Annual Rookie Draft after the crafty playmaker beat Thursday’s deadline for all aspirants.

The entry of the hot-shooting guard, responsible for La Salle winning its last UAAP men's basketball championship in 2007, in the August 28 event at Robinsons Place Manila easily makes him this year's possible top pick.

Powerade coach Bo Perasol said Casio is definitely a hot prospect to be chosen first out of the 36 players who applied for the rookie draft. The Tigers own the No. 1 pick.

"Well, there's no question that we need to fill the guard spot," said Perasol. "So Casio is definitely a strong contender. He is one of the best talents out there."

Casio was the latest—and last—of Gilas' players who applied for the draft after teammates Marcio Lassiter, Mac Baracael, Mark Barroca, Chris Lutz, Dylan Ababou and Jason Ballesteros.

Skipper Chris Tiu is one of the few Nationals who didn't apply as he reportedly decided to stay with Smart Gilas following the decision of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to extend the lavish program for two more years.

Casio's application came a day after fellow guard and the streak-shooting Paul Lee of the University of the East submitted his application papers at the PBA office.

Allein Maliksii, the former University of Santo Tomas stalwart and PBA D-League MVP, is another notable last-minute applicant.

Rain or Shine will select next after Powerade and will be followed by Air21, Powerade, B-MEG, Alaska, Petron or Shopinas, Petron or Shopinas again, Ginebra and Air21.

Rey Joble, GMA News TV