Javee Mocon didn’t have to look that far to draw inspiration from while plotting his comeback following the removal of bone spurs on his right knee.
The Phoenix Super LPG star just emulated his good pal and fellow San Beda great Robert Bolick, who remains as one of the PBA’s top young players despite suffering an ACL injury that took him away from the game for a year.
“Malaking model for me during injury si Bolick eh,” said the 27-year-old.
“Si Bolick, noong nakabalik, di ba? Fit na fit, ready to play agad eh.”
Mocon played his first game back on Saturday and hardly showed rust despite being away for about two months. He scored 13 points as the Fuel Masters obliterated Terrafirma, 125-100, for their second win in the Governors’ Cup.
(C) PBA Images
“Masaya, masaya na nakabalik na. Tagal na eh,” he told reporters moments after the match at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Two months akong walang practice with the team. This week lang, four times nag-practice. Thankful ako kay Lord and at the same time hindi ako ka-rusty.”
His return, of course, sparked optimism for Phoenix as the 6-foot-3 winger makes the team more ‘flexible,’ according to coach Jamike Jarin.
“That’s a good sign for us of course. Javee Mocon plays multiple positions. He plays the 3 and the 4. So we’re flexible right now with his return.
“But game-shape, he was a little shaky from the start. But come the second half, he was the Javee Mocon that we’re all used to seeing. He’s just gonna get better as he gets his groove back,” added the PBA rookie mentor, who also handled Mocon in San Beda.
Despite his solid comeback, Mocon said that he’s still in the process of regaining his full health as he continues to experience on his right knee.
“Eighty-percent pa lang ako eh,” he said. “May pain pa rin, pero gusto ko i-break in talaga na game reps kasi parang malas, unfortunately, noong na-injure ako, back-to-back-to-back games ako. Ubos na kaagad eh.
“Seventh game na namin eh. In a span of two weeks, naka-six games na kami. So walang time ako maka-recover, makabalik agad sana.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
