There’s
news running around that 2011 PBA Draft’s
top pick JV Casio is disappointed with the Powerade Tigers.
Unlike
the second pick overall Paul Lee of
the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters,
the Smart-Gilas guard was not given
the maximum 3-year contract. The negotiations between Lee and the ROS
management were roughly under 30 minutes. Instead, Casio will have the maximum
rookie pay of 150,000 pesos (to
improve as the season progresses) but for only two years.
This
is the same deal the Tigers gave to their other pick, fourth pick overall Marcio Lassiter.
With
this development, Casio is now considering other options. Casio’s agent Charlie Dy has expressed disappointment on Powerade’s
decision. If Casio’s deal doesn’t amount to anything good, the crack guard
might opt out of Powerade altogether.
Powerade’s
team manager, JB Baylon has
expressed negative sentiments on giving away guaranteed 3-year deals to
unproven talents.
To be
fair for the Powerade people, this is the first time Pop Cola/Swift/Sunkist/Coca-Cola/Powerade picked first in the draft.
They had their share of high picks and top-caliber finds but Marc Victoria, Roel Buenaventura, and Jon
Ordonio were massive bombs. Hell, Nic
Belasco, their second pick overall back when Andy Seigle was the first had to wait for a couple of years before
amounting to something. While the potential of turning out to be a bust is out
there, they should adjust to the presence of Casio and actually, Lassiter at
that. Casio earned the right have Class A perks because amongst his draft class,
he was perceived as the best. Besides, it’s not as if this is his first salvo
in the league having played for Smart-Gilas for their preparation for the FIBA-Asia Championship!
JV
Casio is a key figure in the Smart-Gilas Team Pilipinas campaign to lead Philippine
basketball back to the Olympics. Rajko Toroman has said that the
streak-shooting guard is one of the continent’s best. With all eyes checking
out the Fiba-Asia Championship, the last distraction Casio needs to have is a
contract dispute.
Game
over.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment