Javee Mocon admitted that the past couple of months have been ‘very uneasy’ as negotiations for a new contract with Rain or Shine has hit an impasse.
Both camps could not find a middle ground even with the new PBA season fast approaching, to the point that the team decided to put the 27-year-old on the trading block as there remains no possible option left to move forward.
“It’s been a rough two months,” the 2018 sixth overall pick told Tiebreaker Times, Tuesday. “Very uneasy na wala akong team.
“If you know me by now, you know I am a breadwinner. My family needs this. At the same time, very short-lived ang basketball career. One injury away, tapos ka na. Gusto ko lang siya ma-maximize na ‘di naman umaabuso.”
Mocon’s old deal, a rookie max that he signed shortly after being drafted by the Elasto Painters, expired at the end of Season 46. Talks for a new pact actually began months prior, but the two couldn’t meet halfway.
The San Beda alum said that he and his camp aren’t ‘asking for the moon,’ but just a bit of an increase from the team’s initial three-year non-max offer.
“Ever since November, we couldn’t get to an agreement. We countered the offer so we could compromise, but they offered us the same one,” he said.
“We’re not asking for the moon, not asking for the max. We just wanted a bit more: a 10 to 15 percent increase from their initial offer. The max would still happen in the third year,” added Mocon, who’s under Titan Management.
Mocon’s camp has also been doing its part to help Rain or Shine find the best possible trade but the team has yet to turn the green light on, he said.
Photo by PBA Images
“Inayos rin ng agent ko for a possible trade that both parties can benefit from and move on. Teams are willing to give draft picks and great players for the trade, but Rain or Shine still hasn’t approved anything as of this time.”
And if nothing materializes soon, Mocon said that he and TMG may look for other opportunities elsewhere.
“If wala talaga, I might look for opportunities sa iba,” the former Gilas Pilipinas 23 for ’23 member said. “Alam mo ‘yung you exhausted all your options, pero if tumagal pa, ikaw lang talo.
“So, I need to make my own decision.”
Nonetheless, Mocon only has nothing but gratitude to the Rain or Shine organization for helping him realize his pro dreams.
“I am very grateful for Rain or Shine and the management for giving me the opportunity to play and represent them. They were the ones responsible for me making it to the league,” he said.
“They took care of us during the pandemic.”
