Casio, Lassiter back in harness

MANILA, Philippines - JV Casio and Fil-Am Marcio Lassiter are back in Smart Gilas Pilipinas uniform after being sidelined by injury for months.

Casio, who suffered an MCL (medial collateral ligament) tear in the Nationals’ training in Serbia last April, and Lassiter, who hurt his knee in the United States late in the same month, have rejoined Gilas in practice and should be in tip-top shape in time for the MVP Invitational slated June 24-27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“They’re back and they will play in the MVP Invitational,” said Smart Gilas coach Rajko Toroman.

Toroman was particularly impressed with Casio, who has started to show his old form.

“Though idle for two months, JV returned as if he was never really injured,” said Toroman of his talented guard.

“He exerted a lot of effort to return in shape. He’s so disciplined, put a lot of hard work during these two months he was hurt. And now that our doctors gave him the green light to practice, I think he’s really in good shape,” Toroman added.

“I’m happy they’re back because we’re almost complete again,” said Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim.

The return of the two should boost Smart Gilas’ stock in the five-team, four-day pocket tournament staged in honor of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan.

Smart Gilas will be pitted against Jordan’s national team, a club team from the Chinese Basketball Association and PBA teams Barangay Ginebra and Talk N’ Text.

The Nationals obviously missed the services of Casio and Lassiter as they could finish no better than seventh in the 21st FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in Doha, Qatar last month.

“I know that’s totally different, that team in Doha. I was talking all the time that without JV and Marcio, it’s very difficult for us because we don’t have enough player in the rotation,” said Toroman.

“With JV, we give our opponents a different look while Marcio is our best wing defender,” he added.

The two should also join Smart Gilas in the William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei next month and the Stankovic Cup in Lebanon in August.

In plans don’t miscarry, American player Marcus Douthit will be joining Smart Gilas as naturalized player in the 16th Guangzhou Asian Games.

Smart Gilas’ ultimate goal is to top the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship for a seat in the 2012 London Olympics.