Casio ready for ‘mother of all battles’

By Jonas Terrado - Manila Bulletin - September 25, 2008

La Salle guard JV Casio was disappointed after they lost Game 1, but he knows the war is far from over.

Out to finish his collegiate career in a blaze of glory, Casio vowed to give it all when they meet the Ateneo Eagles in today’s crucial Game 2 which he considered as the "mother of all battles".

"Well, kailangan nila ng dalawang panalo di ba, so it’s not yet over. All we need now is to forget this game and look forward for the next game," said Casio after Game 1 where the Ateneo Eagles romped to a masterful 69-61 win.

Actually, Casio’s poor shooting early the game gave the Eagles enough opportunities to break the game wide open, and this is what the Archers are trying to work on.

"We have to be extra sharp," said La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

"It’s do or die for us so we need to do a super-duper-extra effort," added Casio.

Despite finishing with 20 points, Casio’s shooting percentage was awful as he converted only 8 of 24 from the field.

Just like the way he started his career for La Salle, Casio wants to end it on a high note.

He won the Rookie of the Year plum in 2003 and was named as co-Finals MVP in last season’s title conquest of University of the East.

This season, Casio averaged 17 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 45 percent shooting.

Curiously, he was not as productive when they are playing against their bitter rivals as averaged 14.7 points in three times they met this season. He scored only five points in their second round encounter.