PBA Rookie Draft: Casio is top pick

By on 11:23 PM

Source: gmanews.tv

Powerade didn’t prolong the suspense, choosing Smart Gilas Pilipinas stalwart JV Casio as the top pick of the 2011 PBA Annual Draft Sunday.

At 5-foot-10, Casio became the smallest guy in the history of the draft to be selected no. 1 overall, but for Tigers coach Bo Perasol, he's good enough to eventually be one of the best in the league.

“We know that JV (Casio) is the type of player who can be a franchise player," said Perasol.

Casio, a member of the last La Salle team to win a UAAP men’s basketball championship in 2007, also became the first legitimate point guard to be picked no. 1 since Alaska’s Mike Cortez in 2003.

“Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala," said the national team player. “I really think that it was my experience in international tournaments that was the factor. I just want to stay focused and concentrate on what I can deliver."

Powerade then added Casio’s Smart Gilas teammate Marcio Lassiter to its roster when it again got its turn at the no. 4 pick.

Rain or Shine selected UE hotshot Paul Lee as the second choice, while Chris Lutz was chosen no. 3 by Petron following a draft day trade with Barako Bull.

Feisty guard Mark Barroca went to Shopinas (formerly Barako Bull), Meralco picked big man Jason Ballesteros, while Barako Bull (formerly Air21) went for Allein Maliksi, the MVP of the inaugural PBA D-League.

Owner of the 9th pick, Ginebra chose power forward Reil Cervantes, while Dylan Ababou, another Smart Gilas player, ended up with Barako Bull at the close of the first round.

Magi Sison was acquired by Shopinas to start the second round. Talk ‘N Text got John Raymundo, while Alaska, which owned the third, fourth, and fifth picks in the second round, chose Eric Salamat, Julius Pascolado, Phillip Medenilla.

Finally taking its turn to choose for the first time, B-Meg took Brian Ilad, Meralco acquired Gilbert Bulawan, Ginebra selected point guard James Martinez, while Barako Bull chose Kenneth Acibar and Paul Sorongan. Powerade closed out the second round by choosing John Agustin, the son of Petron coach Ato Agustin.

The draft took place at the Robinsons Place in Manila.