There was frustration all throughout the Rookies-Sophomores All-Stars’ side when Jason Perkins missed all his three freebies, which could’ve given his team the lead over Juniors All-Stars in the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend, Friday night in Calasiao.
Fortunately for them, though, Lady Luck was with their camp.
CJ Perez managed to secure his teammate’s miss. He missed the contested fadeaway jumper, but fellow rookie Javee Mocon was in the right spot near the rim, to toss Perez’s miss back to the basket.
The shot went in as time expired. Rookies-Sophomores won, 141-140.
“Si [Jason] Perkins siguro kinabahan. He missed three free throws. Credit to CJ Perez, he got the rebound. Andun lang ako, tinip ko lang, ‘di ko na alam mangyayari,” said Mocon, who finished with 18 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
“Ayun na-shoot naman.”
The rookie out of San Beda couldn’t hide his glee over how his first foray in the All-Star festivities had gone.
“Masaya. First time, first win, so masaya,” expressed Mocon, who has been contributing nicely to the Elasto Painters in the ongoing Philippine Cup with averages of 8.18 points, 7.45 rebounds, and 1.91 assists per outing.
But more than the adoration and cheers, and bagging home a share of the hefty 80,000-peso prize, Mocon is more satisfied with the cause that the Rookies-Sophomores and Juniors helped support.
The game was more than just an exhibition. Double V Productions, the PBA All-Star Weekend’s promoter in Calasiao, pledged to donate a wheelchair to Alagang PBA Foundation for every dunk and three-pointer made.
Both teams made 34 triples and 10 dunks, meaning that Double V will donate a total of 44 wheelchairs.
“[More than the] pagsasama-sama [naming] mga rookies, sophomore, juniors … Nakatulong din kami dun nga sa wheelchairs na ibibigay, so sobrang grateful kami and thankful sa PBA talaga [for this chance].”
