Mocon shines as NLEX edges Phoenix in bounce back win

Javee Mocon starred as NLEX defeated NLEX past Phoenix, 105-95, to bounce back in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The win came after the Road Warriors fell to Meralco last week.

Mocon got a team-high 23 points as he made 10 out of 15 from the field, to go with nine rebounds and three assists as NLEX improved to 7-2.

In the fourth quarter alone, the San Beda product had 13 points, including back-to-back baskets early in the said frame to hand NLEX an 89-80 lead. Jason Perkins answered with a jumper but Mocon drilled a triple to give NLEX a 10-point advantage.

Phoenix trimmed the deficit, 95-89, with less than five minutes left but a Xyrus Torres trey and another basket from Mocon put NLEX at the century mark before the Road Warriors cruised to the victory.

Robert Bolick had 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists for NLEX, while JB Bahio and Xyrus Torres added 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Perkins, meanwhile, had 28 points for Phoenix as the Fuel Masters slipped to 2-7 and were eliminated from playoff contention.

Scores:

NLEX 105 – Mocon 23, Bolick 20, Bahio 15, Semerad 14, Torres 13, Nieto 8, Ramirez 6, Alas 3, Herndon 3.

Phoenix 95 – Perkins 28, Tuffin 17, Ballungay 11, Tio 11, Garcia 11, Rivero 6, Camacho 4, Jazul 3, Manganti 2, Ular 2, Cullar 0, Soyud 0, Alejandro 0, Verano 0.

Quarters: 32-25, 55-47, 80-74, 105-95.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News