THE top of PBA Class 2011 has officially retired.
Guard JVee Casio called it a career after 13 years in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league that saw him get picked No. 1 overall in the draft 14 years ago and win a championship with the defunct Alaska franchise.
His longtime representative Charlie Dy of VP Global Athlete and Artist Management confirmed to SPIN.ph the decision of the veteran playmaker out of De La Salle and a former pool member of the Smart Gilas program.
“OK naman na siya,” said Dy of Casio.
READ Casio, Salado, Bulanadi among unrestricted PBA free agents
The 39-year-old Casio was released by Blackwater after Season 49 and then tried for a roster spot with Converge during the 40th Kadayawan Invitational basketball tournament in Davao last August.
But with a stacked backcourt made up of young guards Alec Stockton, JL Delos Santos, and No. 2 overall pick in the last draft Juan Gomez De Liano, Casio eventually wasn’t offered a contract by the FiberXers.
Casio is the latest player to announce his retirement prior to Season 50 after Ryan Reyes and Sean Anthony.
Of his draft class, only Paul Lee, Marcio Lassiter, Mark Barroca, Allein Maliksi, and the returning James Martinez remained in the league.
He was made the No. 1 overall selection by Powerade in the 2011 draft, before landing at Alaska a season later via a trade following the departure of LA Tenorio to Barangay Ginebra.
It was with Alaska that his pro career blossomed, winning a championship in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup and playing in the finals five more times.
But his nine-year stay with the Aces came to an end in 2021 when he was shipped to Blackwater along with Barkley Ebona for Mike Tolomia and a 2022 second round pick.
Bossing reunion
He played his final three seasons with the Bossing, where he got reunited with former Alaska coach Jeff Cariaso.
It didn’t help any that injuries marred his stay with the Blackwater franchise.
Casio had a distinguished career as an amateur, winning championships with San Beda (high school) under the late Ato Badolato and with De La Salle (college) with Franz Pumaren.
He was an NCAA Finals MVP in high school, a UAAP Rookie of the Year (2003), a UAAP Finals MVP (2007) and twice a member of the league’s Mythical Team (2007 and 2008).
The credentials led him a spot with Smart Gilas Pilipinas under former coach Rajko Toroman.
He served as Toroman’s chief point guard during the Stankovic Cup and later shared backcourt chores with Jimmy Alapag during the 2010 Asian Games, and the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship, respectively.
A few months after the FIBA quadrennial showcase, Casio finally decided to turn pro.
In 438 games, Casio averaged 9.5 points, 3.4 assists, and 2.7 rebounds.
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