PBA: Casio's coming — TNT prepares for no. 1 pick's PBA Finals debut

The Talk`N Text Tropang Texters may have easily dominated the Powerade Tigers in the opener of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals in Digos, Davao del Sur. Still, TNT head coach Chot Reyes remains ill at ease when his team collides anew with the underdog Tigers in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series Monday night at the Araneta Coliseum.              Top rookie JV Casio has a lot to do with it. “We need to be ready for Casio’s return and a huge fight-back from Powerade,” said Reyes, whose team trampled a Casio-less Powerade squad in Game 1, 116-100. Nursing a hamstring injury, the former Smart Gilas stalwart and the top pick in the last PBA Draft, didn’t suit up for the Tigers the last time, and actually remains day-to-day for the rest of the series.              In his absence, Powerade coach Bo Perasol readily believes the Tigers won’t stand a chance against a powerhouse squad attempting to become the first franchise in 27 years to repeat as All-Filipino champions.               “We may win one game without JV, but we definitely cannot win a series without him,” said Perasol.              Casio’s importance for the Tigers was reflected big time during the decisive Game 7 of their semifinals series with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The wily guard pumped in 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists as Powerade won, 107-98, and became the lowest seeded team at no. 8 to advance in the championship series.              But Casio’s presence, or non-presence, is not the only determining factor for the Tigers to stay competitive.              Top gunner Gary David also needs to step up on the plate after being held to “just” 19 points by the Tropang Texters the last time.              Averaging 24 points per game, including six straight games of 30-plus points in the post-season, David shot just 5 of 15 from the field in Game 1 and committed six turnovers.              The shooting guard out of Lyceum failed to have a field goal in the first quarter and didn’t connect his first field goal until the seventh minute mark of the second period.              His 19 points was his lowest in the last nine games or since finishing with 14 against the Barako Bull Energy last December 6.              Another of David’s supporting cast, rookie Marcio Lassiter, likewise has to shoot a lot better from the floor against a Tropang Texters squad that is fully loaded on the offensive end. Lassiter, the no. 4 overall pick this season, was 5 of 16 from the field.              That can’t be said of Talk `N Text, which got 23 points from Jayson Castro, and a combined output of 41 points and 18 rebounds from Larry Fonacier, Ranidel de Ocampo, and Ali Peek.              But Perasol is confident his team, after playing its first Finals game in nine years, will finally settle down and get back the game that made them reach this far.              “We need to step up our game regardless of what our situation will be. We are definitely going to be better next game,” he said. - AMD/KBK, GMA News