Casio, Wilson Shore UP MPBL Relaunch of Basilan

The Basilan Steel are bringing back their old-fashioned, relentless, tough and no let up attitude.

JVee Casio is making another shot of playing at the pros — this time in the Maharlika Pilipinas Baaketball League. Together, they share a common goal of refreshing their respective image in the biggest nationwide basketball event — the Season 8 of the MPBL — set to unravel this summer.

A former top overall rookie pick and a PBA champion, Casio hopes to rediscover his winning ways as he gives competitive basketball in the professional level another shot.

Casio last suited up for Converge in the Kadayawan event, hoping to crack a PBA roster spot, but didn’t have success while trying his luck. He has been slowed down by numerous injuries, and the 2011 top overall pick best remembered in helping the Powerade Tigers to a finals run in the Philippine Cup in his rookie season and in quarterbacking Alaska to its last championship in the 2013 Commissioner’s Cup, just couldn’t get his rhythm going the previous years.

“Hindi ko naman talaga naisip,” said Casio. “Para sa akin, basta kung ano lang yung opportunity na dumating. What’s ahead, I think that’s the most important thing. I’m looking forward on what’s going to happen with this team, how can I help them. This is another chapter, whatever you may call it, but I will just do whatever I can.”

According to Casio, other players who played in the PBA had trouble accepting their fortunes of not playing anymore, but the veteran guard embraces this new role with a positive mindset.

“Yung competitive spirit, andun pa rin,” he added. “This is the sport I love, talagang hindi mawawala yun. I just have to keep on competing — all for the love of the game. Siyempre, with experience, andun pa rin yung goal.”

Basilan is set to relaunch its original moniker, which it carried when it joined the league in 2019.

That old Yakan image printed on their jersey was given a new look. The team is set to bring back that Steel moniker known for its toughness and identity of the rich culture of Basilenos.

Aside from reliving the old name and acquiring one of the most dependable guards to ever play in the PBA in Casio, Basilan is also tapping a young talent to serve as cornerstone of the squad this coming season.

Gjerard Wilson, who played two seasons for the UE Red Warriors, will be bringing his youthful energy to the Basilan squad to be coached by Arnold Oliveros.

The six-foot Wilson was drafted in the sixth round by the Blackwater Bossing in last year’s Rookie Draft but was left unsigned.

This time, Wilson will be teaming up at the guard spot with the veteran Casio, a former member of the original Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, then an all-amateur squad coached by Rajko Toroman, in 2009 to 2011.