FORMER University of Mindanao (UM) Wildcats player Peter June (PJ) Simon looks forward to living a simple life in Davao City when he retires this summer after playing for Magnolia/Purefoods for 17 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
“Yes, it’s time. Mag 40 nako karong June. Thankful kaayo ko kay gi-allow ko ni God nga i-fulfill nako iyang purpose sa akoa as a basketball player (I’m turning 40 this June. I’m just thankful God allowed me to fulfill his purpose for me as a basketball player),” Simon told SunStar Davao in a Facebook interview yesterday, March 4.
He also said, “Mag-base ko syempre sa Davao mao gyud na akong dream mubalik ug asa ko nag start tapos diha na mag-stay nga simpleng buhay lang (I will settle in Davao that’s my dream to return to where I started and live simply).”
A March 1 ESPN5.com report said that Simon will be feted a fitting farewell by the Magnolia franchise when the Hotshots clash against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings on May 10. Magnolia team governor Rene Pardo was quoted as saying that they will retire Simon’s No. 8 jersey during the Manila Clasico game between arch-rivals to take advantage of the crowd.
Simon, born in Makilala, North Cotabato, said, “Honored kay gamay rami player nag-stay in one team for a long time. Tapos thankful ko sa Magnolia Purefoods kay same honor ilang gihimo sa akoa sa pag retire ni Alvin Patrimonio (I feel honored since only few of us have stayed in one PBA team for a long time. I’m thankful for Magnolia Purefoods for planning to give me the same honor as that of Alvin Patrimonio when I retire).”
He said staying in one team for a long time is no longer about basketball but about “character, attitude and discipline”.
He also underscored the lessons he learned over time, “Never give up even if the odds are against you. Believe in yourself, be humble in defeat and victory. Work hard to be the shape of your life so you can compete with best players in the PBA. Be disciplined in your craft and always aknowledge God is the source of your talent and strength.”
He cited the grandslam win of the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers and the last championship that Magnolia won in 2018, which he shared with his Dabawenya wife Jehza, as his best PBA memories.
“I hope daghan ma-inspire sa akong story kay nothing is impossible gyud with God. I hope na open nako ang door diha sa Mindanao nga kaya nato makasulod diri sa PBA (I hope I could inspire many that indeed there is nothing impossible with God and that I had opened the door for Mindanaoans that we can make it to the PBA),” he said, adding that right attitude and respect for the game are vital factors to a lasting PBA career.
He collected eight PBA championship titles, eight All-Star appearances, two Mr. Quality Minutes citations and a PBA 2019 Three-Point Shooting crown.