AT 37, Peter June Simon's retirement is put on hold as the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots emerged champion in the 2018 PBA Governor's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City Wednesday evening.
The Hotshots nailed their 14th PBA title following a 102-86 win over the Alaska Aces in Game 6, to win the series at 4-2. The last time the team won a PBA championship was in 2014 under then coach Tim Cone.
But Magnolia's recent feat was extra special for Makilala, North Cotabato native Simon, a former University of Mindanao (UM) Wildcats standout.
"Ika walo na nako ni. Tiguwang na gyud ko kay ika-tulo na nako ni nga era hehehehe (This is my eighth PBA championship. I am really old since this is my third era in the league)," he said in a Facebook interview with this writer.
Simon, who also had a promising stint with the Davao Eagles in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), added, "It means very special kay pa retire nako unya naka hirit pako ug champion. Para nani sa akong legacy (This is really special because I am about to retire and I still got a championship. This is already my legacy)."
However, he was quick to share that he will still see action in 2019.
"Dili pako nila pa retire-ron. Gusto pako nila padulaon lage next year. Hehehe. Lisud pud balibaran ang blessing (They don't want me to retire yet. They still want me to play next year. Hehehe. It's hard to refuse a blessing)," he said.
Simon also said that he and Dabawenya fiancee Miss Supranational 2018 Jehza Huelar will tie the knot on April 8, 2019 in Manila.
Magnolia also won Games 1 (100-84), 2 (77-71) and 3 (79-78) with coach Chito Victolero at the helm.