Javee Mocon is excited to start afresh with NLEX after the nearly three PBA seasons he spent with Phoenix fizzled out following a good start.
The all-around winger didn’t get the debut he wanted after the Road Warriors lost to, coincidentally, Rain or Shine on Tuesday, but is nonetheless looking forward to how the latest chapter of his pro career will unfold with his new team.
“Hopefully, ito na, hindi na tayo maging journeyman,” he told a pair of reporters shortly after their 123-114 overtime loss at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Mocon is now playing for his third PBA team after the Fuel Masters traded him to NLEX for Ato Ular and a Season 51 second-round draft pick.
The 29-year-old admitted being caught by surprise that he got moved in the middle of the conference. but at the same time admitted that he had already seen some signs based on the direction that his old team wants to take.
“Oo naman. I can’t really tell in detail, pero I can see kung saan papunta ‘yung Phoenix, ‘yung path moving forward for them,” he said.
Mocon landed in Phoenix in 2022 when his rights were traded by the Elasto Painters in exchange for forward Nick Demusis and two draft picks.
It started out promising when he ended his first season with the Fuel Masters with averages of 11.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals, helping the team reach the quarterfinals in the Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups.
Phoenix would reach the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup the following season, which was the franchise’s first semis trip since the 2020 bubble. However, Mocon’s scoring dropped slightly by the end of the season.
He seemingly couldn’t find his old ways offensively come Season 49, only posting 5.8 points in six games. Then came the trade to NLEX.
“Siguro sa Phoenix, it started well with Coach Topex [Robinson]. And then it went… I can’t say downhill, pero not really great. it didn’t translate to wins, ‘yun na lang. Kasi, we went to the semifinals,” Mocon reflected.
“But yeah, not the best for me. Career-wise, individually, for me,” the former PBA Press Corps All-Rookie Team member continued.
That’s why Mocon is very much excited about what lies ahead now that he’s with the Road Warriors, where he also got reunited with college teammate Robert Bolick — a partnership that led to three NCAA championships.
“Ganun pa rin, maingay pa rin,” he said of the Season 49 scoring champion with a slight grin.
“Pero basketball-wise, masaya kasi may familiarity.”
