PBA: NLEX, Phoenix say hello to new players as Javee Mocon-Ato Ular swap approved

NLEX officially welcomed Javee Mocon in an apparent sign that the trade with Ato Ular was approved. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The Javee Mocon-Ato Ular trade seemingly got the approval of the PBA trade committee as both NLEX and Phoenix officially welcomed their new acquisitions on Thursday.

The Road Warriors were the first to announce what apparently was the sign that the swap was approved, saying goodbye to Ular and welcoming Mocon on their social media pages.

The Fuel Masters followed suit hours later, doing the exact opposite, that is, bidding farewell to Mocon and saying hello to Ular.

The league has yet to announce the approval on its official website as of posting, but one can presume that the social media posts could already suffice the latest development on the trade.

NLEX announced on Wednesday that it is trading Ular and a 2026 second-round pick to Phoenix for Mocon.

Ular, who had played sparingly under coach Jong Uichico with the Road Warriors, could be activated by the Fuel Masters as early as Friday when they take on the San Miguel Beermen at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Mocon's NLEX debut will not be until Tuesday night when they take on Rain Or Shine at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Also making his first game as a Road Warrior is new Dequan Jones.

Interestingly enough, Mocon's last game with Phoenix came against the same ROS squad two evenings ago.

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