Javee Mocon beats buzzer as Rookies-Sophomores get one over Juniors

Javee Mocon’s tip-in at the final buzzer lifted Rookies-Sophomores All-Stars past favorites Juniors, 141-140, in the Next Gen match of the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend, Friday night at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters rookie was in the right spot and tossed CJ Perez’s missed jumper back into the basket to help the Rookies-Sophomores side complete their comeback from 10 down, 119-129, with 5:44 left to play.

Mocon finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists.

Going home with the Most Valuable Player honors though is CJ Perez, who led Rookies-Sophomores with a game-high 32 points — including 18 in the fourth quarter alone — along with eight rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Jeron Teng produced 19 points and seven rebounds, Robbie Herndon supplied 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists, as Paul Desiderio added 11 markers in the victory that rewarded them a cash prize of PHP 80,000.

Rashawn McCarthy had 24 points, two assists, and two steals to lead Juniors, who were the favorites to come out victorious owing to their pedigree — 10 of the 12 players were former teammates in the Gilas Pilipinas Cadets program.

Roger Pogoy made 20 points and six rebounds, Mike Tolomia had 15 points, seven boards, and four assists, while Jio Jalalon notched a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds. He also added six assists and four steals to his line.

Ed Daquioag and Russel Escoto chimed in 13 points apiece, as Mac Belo and Matthew Wright scored 12 each.

The game though is 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 in 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.

The Scores:

Rookies-Sophomores (141) – Perez 32, Teng 19, Mocon 18, Herndon 16, Desiderio 11, Perkins 9, Bolick 9, Tallo 7, Nambatac 7, Jackson 6, Tratter 4, Jose 3.

Juniors (140) – McCarthy 24, Pogoy 20, Tolomia 15, Jalalon 14, Daquioag 13, Escoto 13, Belo 12, Wright 12, Ferrer 6, Banal 5, Pessumal 4, Cruz 2.

Quarterscores: 40-29, 73-76, 106-112, 141-140.