NLEX Road Warriors Javee Mocon during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Converge FiberXers. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Javee Mocon showed why NLEX made the right decision of keeping him around on Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena.
The Road Warriors leaned on Mocon, who had just signed a one-year contract extension, to improve to 6-1 and take solo lead in the standings.
“[Our] morale is very, very high,” said Mocon. “Coach Jong (Uichico) is satisfied, to say the least, with how we are as a team. We’re happy at 6-1 but at the end of the day, coach Jong wants to build a foundation that’ll span on to the next conferences.”
Mocon finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, built on an efficient 50 percent shooting clip–just a day after his signing ceremony at the NLEX office in Balintawak, attended by team governor Ronald Dulatre, team manager Virgil Villavicencio, and Uichico.
Things have not always been smooth for Mocon after being traded from Phoenix in September last year, but his consistent effort convinced team officials to bring him back one more year.
“When I talked to coach Jong and the bosses [before], they were 50-50 in signing me because they were still trying to feel me out if I’m compatible with the team but since the preseason until this conference, I work for the minutes,” said the San Beda product.
“In Phoenix, I had some so-so performances. So now, in this conference, I’m trying to prove something — that we can be part of the top teams,” he added.
Dulatre, for his part, is seeing that effort translate on the floor.
“After a year with us, Javee is really starting to blossom into one of our leaders. He’s blending well into the system and stepping up when we need him. We can’t wait to see what more he can show in the coming seasons,” said Dulatre.
Mocon is averaging 9.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in the ongoing All-Filipino Conference.
NLEX hopes to ride his momentum again on Sunday against Meralco, also at Philsports Arena.
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