By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Phoenix Fuel Masters Super LPG just proposed a mid-season trade involving forward Javee Mocon that will send him to the NLEX Road Warriors confirmed on September 11, 2024.
In exchange, the Road Warriors will be trading their energetic power forward Ato Ular and a future second-round pick in the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft.
Despite the proposal already in place for both franchises, the PBA Board headed by Commissioner Willie Marcial is yet to approve the final deal.
Mocon, a seasoned combo forward who played the last two years wearing the Phoenix uniform, will have the chance to further boost NLEX’s talented pool of frontcourt players.
Aside from his versatility and two-way efficiency, Mocon’s presence will also be a huge spark for superstar Robert Bolick.
During their collegiate years, Bolick and Mocon became teammates at the San Beda University and formed a 1-2 punch in the NCAA men’s basketball scene.
The duo led the Red Lions to its glory days, steering the red and white to three NCAA championship titles.
On the other hand, Ular, the do-it-all forward who increased his draft stock when he had a tremendous run with the Blackwater Bossing, will look to stabilize Phoenix’s injury-laden frontcourt.
Ular is slowly becoming an offensive threat when he gets hot from the perimeter but it is his work ethic and high motor that stands out the most.
Both teams have contrasting campaigns in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup as NLEX is sitting at the middle of the pack with a 3-3 win-loss record while Phoenix is yet to win a single game and has lost all of their six games.
