Alaska: Casio illness no big issue

MANILA, Philippines - The Alaska Milk Aces are not just about one or two players – a fact making them confident they can compete even with their chief playmaker Jvee Casio groping for form as of late.

Casio, among the team’s leading scorers, went without a single basket as the Aces dropped the last two games and in the process moved down 2-3 versus the San Miguel Beermen in their PBA Philippine Cup Finals showdown.

Casio was 0-of-2 in Game Four and 0-of-8 in Game Five.

Before his virtual disappearance, the former Gilas Pilipinas player averaged 12.6 points in the series.

“May dinaramdam si Jvee. Nilalagnat-lagnat siya (Something’s bothering Jvee. He’s playing with fever),” said Alaska assistant coach Louie Alas, not wary though of their situation.

“Yung team kasi namin kahit may isang player na hindi maglaro, we’re capable to win. What more if we’re complete,” Alas pointed out.

“With the aura that the guys are exuding, I won’t be surprised of an explosive performance by our team (in Game Six),” Alas also said.

Alaska coach Alex Compton expressed confidence “Jvee will be fine.”

“Our players are warriors. They will be out there fighting no matter what the situation is,” said Alas.