CALASIAO, Philippines – Javee Mocon put the Rookie-Sophomore All-Stars on his back with the game-winning basket in a 141-140 escape win over the Junior All-Stars at the Calasiao Sports Complex here on Friday, March 29. 

Day 1 of the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend ended in hysterics as the rookie beat the buzzer with a putback off a CJ Perez miss to give the Rookie-Sophomore All-Stars the victory over the more experienced Junior All-Stars.

Down 139-140, the Rookies-Sophomores looked poised to steal the game after Jason Perkins was fouled during a three-point attempt with 5 seconds remaining in the clock.

Perkins, though, missed all of his foul shots as the game remained in the balance.

Fortunately enough, Perez hauled down the offensive rebound and shot a fadeaway jumper at the baseline before Mocon – who finished with 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds – came up with the game-winning putback. 

While Mocon delivered the win, it was the hometown hero Perez who was adjudged Most Valuable Player as he scored 18 of his 32 points in the final frame of the come-from-behind triumph. 

Perez – who hails from Bautista, Pangasinan – drilled in 4 three-pointers in the payoff period as the Rookies-Sophomores stormed their way back from a 106-112 defict following 3 quarters.

Jeron Teng finished with 19 points and 7 rebounds, Robbie Herndon had 16 points and 5 rebounds while Perkins had 9 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in the win. 

Defense was loose early as the Rookies-Sophomores raced to a 40-29 lead after the maiden period before the Juniors scored 47 points in the 2nd quarter to mount a 76-73 halftime advantage. 

Rashawn McCarthy paced the Juniors with 24 points while Roger Pogoy delivered 20 points and 6 rebounds. 

Jio Jalalon had 14 points, 12 assists, 6 rebounds and 4 steals, Mike Tolomia added 15 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, Ed Daquioag chipped in 13 points while Mac Belo and Matthew Wright added 12 points apiece in the loss. 

More than giving PBA fans a treat, the players all contributed to a bigger cause as Double V Productions pledged a wheelchair to the Alagang PBA Foundation for every three-pointer and dunk.

A total of 44 wheelchairs will be given as both squads combined for 34 triples and 10 dunks. 

The Scores

Rookies-Sophomores (141) – Perez 32, Teng 19, Mocon 18, Herndon 16, Desiderio 11, Perkins 9, Bolick 9, Tallo 7, Nambatac 7, Jackson 6, Tratter 4, Jose 3.

Juniors (140) – McCarthy 24, Pogoy 20, Tolomia 15, Jalalon 14, Daquioag 13, Escoto 13, Belo 12, Wright 12, Ferrer 6, Banal 5, Pessumal 4, Cruz 2.

Quarters: 40-29, 73-76, 106-112, 141-140.

– Rappler.com