Javee Mocon just felt relieved even if he didn’t have the ideal debut with Phoenix Super LPG during Wednesday night’s PBA Philippine Cup action.
He and the Fuel Masters absorbed a 108-100 defeat to San Miguel but the 27-year-old forward is simply happy to have returned to action after not playing for months since his contract with Rain or Shine ended last season.
“Siyempre, sobrang saya,” he said moments after the match at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Ilang months ba ako walang laro.”
Mocon was traded to Phoenix on Tuesday as he and the Elasto Painters could not come to terms with a new deal. He was sent in exchange for Nick Demusis, a 2023 first round pick, and a 2024 second round pick.
The San Beda product said that he does not harbor any ill-feeling whatsoever towards the ball club that made him the sixth overall pick in 2018.
“Wala, wala,” the 27-year-old all-around forward said. “Alam mo naman, they drafted me. So lahat, pandemic, nandiyan sila. It’s business eh.
“Walang ill feelings towards the management, syempre mga players, coaches, mahal na mahal ko yang mga yan eh.
“Very grateful sa Phoenix na natuloy ‘yung trade, siyempre sa Rain or Shine din. I’m very happy na nandito ako sa team na ‘to,” he added.
Mocon wasted no time suiting up for his new team, playing a day after being traded to the Dennis Uy-owned franchise.
“Actually nag-usap kami, tinatanong ako ni Coach Topex [Robinson] kung gusto ko maglaro. Eh ako naman, it’s still basketball. Siguro minsan nawawala ako sa play, sa mga defensive schemes, but end of the day, it’s just basketball,” he shared.
He played for a total of 19 minutes and 42 seconds and finished with five points on six shots, seven rebounds, an assist, and a block.
“Sabi ko, ‘Coach laro mo ako, kaya ko ‘yan,’” said Mocon, who averaged 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds for RoS in the Season 46 Governors’ Cup.
With his first game as a Fuel Master now in the books, the former Gilas pool member is excited about what the future holds for him and the crew.
“Siyempre, it takes time,” the 2019 All-Rookie team member offered. “Kailan ba ‘ko nag-practice? Kahapon lang. One day. One day. So, it takes time. Like any team, it takes time para mag-peak e. So … it’s a good start.
“Nakita niyo naman ‘yung mga rookies namin, wala grabe, ang tatapang. Nakita niyo ‘yung rookies, Matthew Wright, Jason Perkins, lahat e. They all contribute. Looking forward talaga ako kung saan mararating namin.”
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