This early, the face-off between JV Casio of the Tigers and Paul Lee of the Elasto Painters – the top two picks in the Rookie Draft – is now generating attention from almost everybody – old and young.
They are untested in this kind of duel, but definitely both are expected to provide additional color and excitement in the series.
The two played big for their respective teams during the quarterfinal playoffs, with Rain or Shine sweeping Barangay Ginebra in their best-of-three showdown, while Powerade scoring a stunning win over twice-to-beat top seed B-Meg.
Rain or Shine is making its third Final Four stint since joining the league in 2006, while Powerade is back in the semifinals for the first time in seven years.
And focus will definitely be on the two young guards.
Since they decided to join the pro league, the comparison had started particularly on Draft Day when Powerade was – at that time – thinking who to pick as No. 1 overall.
Will it be Casio, the guard from De La Salle who honed his skills with the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas? Or Lee, who played college ball for the University of the East and was a star in the inaugural PBA Development League (D-League).
Prior to his stint with the D-League, Lee made history in the Philippine Basketball League – considered before as the country’s premier amateur league – when he won the Player of the Conference award as a rookie.
Eventually, the Tigers settled for Casio and the Painters opted for Lee.
While the 6-foot-1 Lee had a rousing debut of 21 points, five rebounds and eight assists in a 94-93 thrilling victor over Ginebra, Casio was sidelined for several games due to a stressed left knee. He didn’t play when the two teams clashed last Oct. 9, which Rain or Shine won, 96-93.
Despite the injury, Casio was able to finish strong during the eliminations, averaging 10.36 points and 5.5 assists, although Lee had a better all-around game with 13.77 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists and almost 1 steal a game.
In the playoffs, both delivered worthy performances.
Lee was responsible in leading Rain or Shine’s comeback from a 17-point deficit in Game 1 where he scored 13 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and a booming three-pointer in a 112-105 overtime win. They swept Ginebra following another win in Game 2, 106-91.
On the other hand, after struggling in a 97-88 victory over B-Meg that forced sudden-death, Casio came to life in their do-or-die encounter, scoring 22 points aside from dishing out 10 assists. He fouled out late in the final period but he made enough damage to help Powerade’s rally with five triples.
source by mb.com.ph | Waylon Galvez
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