After the San Beda College suffered a heartbreaking loss to rivals Letran in three games capped by a crushing overtime loss last season, the Red Lions vowed redemption entering the 92nd season of the NCAA.
Javee Mocon used the sight of seeing their rivals celebrate on the court of the SM Mall of Asia Arena as motivation to work even harder entering this season.
“Since natalo kami last year, after nung finals, nung nag-training kami, doon pa lang, gusto na namin mag-start yung season,” he shared after San Beda was able to clinch its 11th straight finals on Wednesday.
For him, the sting of losing after a long season is something that he does not want to feel again.
“I don’t want to remember the feeling. yun ang motivation ko eh. Kasi sobrang sakit talaga na matalo kami sa Letran, archrival pa namin.”
With Art dela Cruz already advancing to the pro ranks and Cameroonian big man Donald Tankoua sidelined for the rest of the season, the 21 year old has stepped up for the Red Lions, posting norms of 11.7 points and 8.6 rebounds in 27 minutes of action. But the numbers he is averaging nor the number of minutes he is logging in does not matter for him as long as they are winning.
“Kahit ano gagawin ko. Role player, kahit ano even if I don’t score.
“I know my role, getting the rebounds, defense, lahat. Everything to contribute to our win today and sa lahat ng wins namin,” he furthered.
But the toughness and durability Mocon has showed all throughout the season is a testament to his work off the court according to fellow Red Lion Robert Bolick.
“Grabe ang work ethic ni Javee. Late nga siya sa call time kanina. Alam niyo sa totoo talaga, si Javee taga-Antipolo, pero siya ang mas una sa aming lahat kaysa sa mga taga-dorm. Totoo talaga yun,” San Beda’s utility guy remarked about Mocon.
“Maaga pa lang, nandoon na yan, 5:30 andun na yan. Masipag talaga yan. Minsan nale-late, siyempre Antipolo malayo. Pero most of the time, siya talaga ang pinaka-maunang darating, kaysa sa mga taga-dorm na andun na, baba na lang. Siya, nandun na.”
Mocon, who has been a lifelong Bedan, he is doing this to bring the crown back to Mendiola.
“We’re just gonna go out there and play our hearts out. We’re not done yet here,” he closed.
“We still have to win two games and that’s all I’m thinking about right now.”
