THIS early Jayvee Mocon is making a strong case for the season's PBA Rookie of the Year plum.
The Rain or Shine wingman emerged as the PBA Press Corps Rookie of the Month for February following his stellar showing that helped propel the Elasto Painters on top of the Philippine Cup.
The former San Beda ace averaged 5.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in the five games Rain or Shine played during the 'Love' month - all of which the team won.
Mocon played an average 20.18 minutes per outing, started in two out of five games and was the leading rebounder of the team during that stretch.
Picked sixth overall by Rain or Shine in last year's draft, Mocon jumpstarted the month by exploding for 18 points, 17 rebounds, and four assists as Rain or Shine stunned reigning and defending champion San Miguel Beer, 108-98, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to emerge co-Best Player of the Game with two-time MVP James Yap.
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Mocon bested top rookie pick CJ Perez for the monthly honor handed out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat.
Perez, the first ever recipient of the plum for the month of January, placed second in the voting after posting averages of 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists with Columbian Dyip which went 1-2 in the three games it played.
The former NCAA MVP from Lyceum however, was held to his worst game for the month in the Dyip's 86-85 win over Meralco last Wednesday, finishing with only eight points and five rebounds. Perez was held to a 4-of-14 shooting and committed five turnovers.
Others who vied for the monthly honor were Alaska's Jasper Ayaay (7.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists), Kris Porter of NLEX (6.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists), and Robert Bolick of NorthPort (9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists).
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