Phoenix was quick to secure the services of newly acquired forward Javee Mocon as it signed the former Rain or Shine player to a fresh three-year deal just hours after the PBA technical committee approved his trade to the Fuel Masters on Tuesday, June 7.
The Elasto Painters shipped Mocon in exchange for guard Nick Demusis and their 2022 first round and 2023 second round picks.
In an earlier talk with Elasto Painters basketball operations chief Caloy Garcia, he revealed that the negotiations between Mocon and Rain or Shine, the team which drafted him sixth overall in the 2018 draft, fell apart after the San Beda standout’s camp turned down a three-year offer which eventually prompted the team to enter the deal.
The Fuel Masters move, meanwhile, is also seen as a way to alleviate the impact of Matthew Wright's possible departure after reportedly getting offers from "different countries."
It can be recalled though that Wright vowed to play out the remaining months of his contract which is set to end after the All-Filipino conference butt he remains open on returning to the team as the negotiations between the two camps continue.
With the acquisition of Mocon, the Fuel Masters have added firepower to their lineup that aside from Wright, still has the likes of Sean Anthony, Jason Perkins, and RJ Jazul.