San Beda coach praises Amer, Mocon for Game 2 efforts

MANILA, Philippines – Although San Beda College was down 0-1 in a best-of-three championship series for the first time in 6 years, two Red Lions stepped up to forge a do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday, October 29 and keep the school’s bid for a record-setting sixth-straight NCAA basketball crown alive.

Javee Mocon and Baser Amer played a pivotal role in San Beda’s must-win triumph against Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Game 2 of the NCAA Season 91 Finals on Tuesday, October 27.

Mocon amassed 13 points, 8 rebounds, one steal and two blocks, while Amer flirted with a double-double performance of 9 markers, 11 boards and 4 dimes.

“I am lost for words for these two young men,” San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin said of Mocon and Amer in the post-game interview.

The second-year Bedan forward had 9 of his total scoring output in the third frame and shot 5-of-8 from the field.

In addition, Mocon hammered the final nail in the coffin with a score-settling bucket as the Red Lions took away Game 2 from Letran with a 68-61 victory.

“He is only in his sophomore year,” Jarin said of the 6-foot-4 stalwart Mocon, who made his name as a member of the dominant San Beda Red Cubs in 2013 playing alongside Arvin Tolentino and Andrei Caracut.

(READ: San Beda coach expects another classic match vs Letran in Game 3)

On the other hand, Amer helped San Beda to pull away from Letran in the fourth period as McJour Luib put the Knights within striking distance with a triple.

Amer, who was picked seventh overall by the Meralco Bolts in the 2015 PBA Draft, torched Letran with 5-straight points, delivering a two-point jumper before firing back with a beyond-the-arc shot to give San Beda a 63-57 edge with 6:13 left in the contest.

“What else can I say about Baser Amer? He has done it since time immemorial. This kid is a winner,” Jarin quipped.

Aside from Mocon and Amer, Art Dela Cruz made his presence felt in Game 2 by hauling 12 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, one steal and one block after struggling in Game 1 of the championship round and in the semi-final encounter against Jose Rizal University last week.

“You can never put down an Art Dela Cruz. He was struggling in the past few games, but he is the total package,” Jarin expressed.

Dela Cruz, who was drafted by the Blackwater Elite, had a hot start in the first half by registering 10 of his 12 markers and was busy dishing out the ball to the open guy on the floor.

“It’s not because of me. It’s because of them. It’s their attitude and playing the game right,” Jarin stressed. – Rappler.com