Rookie Javee Mocon proves worth with impressive numbers in career night

Behind Rain or Shine’s early success in the Philippine Cup is the steady performance by a seemingly infatigable James Yap.

But he’s not the only one giving the Elasto Painters boost, as Javee Mocon has also provided a heady showing in the team’s past four outings in the Philippine Cup.

On Friday night, Mocon was only second to Yap’s 21, finishing the game with a career-best 18 points to help Rain or Shine frustrate four-time conference champion San Miguel Beer at Ynares in Antipolo.

“It was a collective effort,” Mocon told reporters in Filipino. “We were all helping each other on defense.”

“Kuya Raymond (Almazan) and kuya Beau (Belga) led by example dealing with (San Miguel Beer’s) June Mar (Fajardo) and (Christian) Standhardinger,” he added.

Not only Mocon did provide commendable contributions in the scoring column, but the former San Beda star also grabbed 17 boards to lead all of the Elasto Painters.

And for the freshman, that was still all thanks to his teammates.

“Our bigs were just working hard,” he said. “My job was to simple get in there and get [the ball] since I felt like their guards are a bit smaller. I was just taking advantage of that.”

Mocon, picked sixth overall in the draft, has been norming 11.7 markers. But despite that impressive line—and the chatter that he should’ve been picked two turns earlier in the rookie selection, he feels that there is still much to work on.

And that he plans to keep his nose on the grindstone.

“I actually had two airballs,” he said in between chuckles. “‘Transitioning from a forward to a guard is quite the task. I still have a bunch to practice.”

“I try not to engage those comments,” he added.

“Even if I was drafted fourth, I’ll still prove them that I [could] be one of the best players in the league.”