Peter June Simon

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Libo-onand the surname or paternal family name is Simon.

Peter June Simon

Simon in 2008
No. 8–Davao Occidental Tigers
Position	Shooting guard
League	MPBL
Personal information
Born	(1980-06-01) June 1, 1980 (age 44) Makilala, Cotabato, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight	180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school	Notre Dame of Makilala
College	UMin
PBA draft	2001: 5th round, 43rd overall pick
Selected by the Sta. Lucia Realtors
Playing career	2001–2020; 2024–present
Position	Shooting guard
Career history
2001–2002	Davao Eagles
2002–2004	Hapee Toothpaste / Fash Liquid Detergent
2004–2020	Magnolia Hotshots
2024–present	Davao Occidental Tigers
Career highlights and awards
8× PBA champion (2006 Philippine, 2010 Philippine, 2012 Commissioner's, 2013 Governors', 2014 Philippine, 2014 Commissioner's, 2014 Governors', 2018 Governors') 8× PBA All-Star (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017–2019) PBA All-Star Game MVP (2008) PBA Mythical Second Team (2014) 2× PBA Mr. Quality Minutes (2008, 2014) PBA Three-Point Shootout champion (2019) No. 8 retired by Magnolia Hotshots 2x PBL champion (2003 Sunkist-Unity, 2003-04 Platinum) PBL Most Valuable Player (2003-04 Platinum) PBL Finals MVP (2003-04 Platinum) PBL Mythical First Team (2003-04 Platinum)

Peter June Libo-on Simon (born June 1, 1980) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Davao Occidental Tigers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He has formerly played in the Philippine Basketball Association, playing for 16 years with the Magnolia Hotshots franchise. Simon was drafted 43rd overall in the 2001 PBA draft by the Sta. Lucia Realtors. His moniker is Scoring Apostle.

Amateur career

College career

Simon was relatively unknown in the Philippine college basketball scene. But to hardcore basketball fans, and especially the Mindanao-based fans, Simon was one of the biggest collegiate basketball heroes in Davao. Born in Makilala, Cotabato, he built his reputation as one of the fiercest and most exciting basketball warriors down south by joining in various competitions and leaving his marks on them. He collected three MVP trophies in the collegiate leagues in Davao City ^[1] and reigned five times as the Sultan of Slams. ^[2]

Metropolitan Basketball Association

Having created a status in various collegiate and commercial leagues in Mindanao, Simon was easily handpicked to be a part of the Davao Eagles in the Metropolitan Basketball Association. ^{[3] [4] [5] [6]} Although his career with the Eagles did not start well, he caught fire as the 2001 MBA First Phase progressed. He was at the forefront of the Eagles onslaught in several games. He once sparked a fourth-quarter rally to upset the league-leading Negros Slashers. ^{[7] [8] [9]} He engaged with Laguna Lakers' Biboy Simon in a fiery shootout and at the same time registering his career-high 25 points. ^{[10] [11]} Coming off the bench, he scored a new career-high 28 points as they outclassed Nueva Ecija Patriots during which he made five Blitz Three baskets in the game. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]} In his best outing as an Eagle, Simon fired yet another new career-high 41 points as he was simply unstoppable. ^{[16] [17]}

At the end of the season, Simon's hard work and heroics on the court paid off as he was named as the Discovery Player of the Year. ^{[18] [19] [20]}

Also, while playing in the MBA, he became a member of the Philippine national basketball team. In his first stint with the national team, PJ Simon scored 14 points to backup Reynel Hugnatan as the MBA All-Stars opened its 25th William Jones Cup campaign on a high note, tripping the much taller Russian club Lokomotive Novosibirsk, 78–68, at the Taipei Physical Education College Gym. ^{[21] [22] [23] [24]}

Philippine Basketball League

Following the disbandment of the MBA in July 2002, Simon was immediately enlisted by Dazz Dishwashing Liquid, the Lamoiyan Corporation's Philippine Basketball League franchise. In no time, he created a big mark in the star-studded 2002–03 PBL Challenge Cup. For his efforts, PJ Simon was selected into the Second Mythical Team during the Individual Players Achievement Awards. ^[25] He also helped the team barge into the finals. In his first PBL finals appearance, PJ Simon led Dazz in a losing cause by scoring 18 points as they surrendered to the Welcoat Paintmasters in overtime in Game 1 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City. ^{[26] [27] [28]}

Although Dazz failed to win the title, a change of the team's name had boded well for the Lamoiyan franchise's fortunes. Hapee Toothpaste opened its championship run in the 2003 Sunkist PBL Unity Cup by defeating Viva Mineral Water behind the blazing guns of PJ Simon and Ryan Dy. ^{[29] [30]} Then in the deciding game 5 of Unity Cup finals, Hapee rode again on the heroics of PJ Simon to capture the crown. ^{[31] [32] [33] [34] [35]} For that, he and teammate Rich Alvarez were later awarded by the PBL Press Corps as co-Final MVPs. ^{[36] [37]}

In the 2003 PBL–CBF dual meet finals, he and Allan Salangsang combined for 35 points off the bench as they powered Fash Liquid to beat Grachiya Energy Boosters, 86–76, at the Cebu Coliseum. ^{[38] [39]}

The following conference, PJ Simon edged out other illustrious cagers to bag the 2003–04 PBL Platinum Cup MVP with the print, radio, and TV media solidly rallying behind him. ^{[40] [41] [42] [43]} Joining PJ Simon in the Mythical Team were Jojo Tangkay, Fash teammate Rich Alvarez, and future Purefoods teammates James Yap and Ervin Sotto. He also led his team in another title, beating the Welcoat Paintmasters in a hotly contested five-game series. ^{[44] [45] [46] [47] [48] [49]}

Professional career

Magnolia Hotshots (2004–2020)

Mark Pingris and Peter June Simon poses with their framed retired jerseys together with the players of Magnolia Hotshots and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel during their jersey retirement ceremony held at halftime between the two teams on December 25, 2021.

While still playing for Fash in the PBL, Purefoods offered him a two-year contract as a rookie free agent. He was actually drafted by the Sta. Lucia Realtors as the 43rd overall pick in the 2001 PBA draft. He toiled for a while in the MBA and PBL where he further enhanced his skills.

But like his stints in the MBA and PBL, his PBA career did not start hot as he played behind fellow star rookie James Yap. In Purefoods' seventh game in the 2004–05 Philippines Cup, however, PJ got his game going as he led Purefoods in a come-from-behind win over Alaska, by scoring four of his team-high 18 points in the final eleven seconds of the game. ^{[50] [51]}

In his first three seasons in the PBA, PJ Simon only showed flashes of his brilliance far and wide. In the 2007 PBA Fiesta Cup, he was named Accel PBA Player of the Week for the period May 6 to 13. ^{[52] [53] [54]} He came up with a team-high 22 points in a game against Coke on May 4 ^{[55] [56] [57] [58]} then on May 13, he exploded for PBA career-high 31 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Purefoods in routing Ginebra, 117–105. ^{[59] [60]}

The 2007–08 season proved to be the coming-out party for Simon. While he was still in the giant shadow of his more famous teammates, he created his niche by being the "super sub" for his team. As Purefoods set a franchise-record of 7–0 to start a season, he was the biggest hero in two of those wins. He scored 15 of his game-high 27 points in the first quarter to lead Purefoods to its fifth straight win as they massacred Ginebra, 103–76, on November 4, 2007. ^{[61] [62] [63]}

Then ten days later, he once more top-scored for Purefoods by making 22 points in their 100–81 rout of Air21, tying the franchise's best to start in the All-Filipino Cup. ^{[64] [65] [66] [67] [68]}

In the finals, Simon had four scintillating games. Purefoods lost, however, to Sta. Lucia in seven games. But nevertheless, PJ Simon averaged 13.3 points to firmly establish himself as Purefoods' primary offensive option off the bench.

Owing to his impressive performance in the 2007–08 PBA Philippine Cup, he was selected in a reserve role to take part in the 2008 All-Star Game held in Bacolod City. Simon did not disappoint the fans, as although he only played for 20 minutes, he scored 29 points on 11-of-14 field goals and 4-of-4 on the free-throw line to tow the South team in a thrilling victory in overtime over the North squad, 163–158. With that, he was cited as the Most Valuable Player, his first major PBA award. ^{[69] [70] [71] [72] [73]}

In the 2009–10 Philippine Cup finals, Purefoods swept Alaska, 4–0, to be crowned 2009–2010 PBA Philippine Cup champions. ^[74]

The Llamados entered the 2010–11 PBA Philippine Cup as defending champions. ^[75] In the first round of the tournament, Simon averaged 17.4 points per game, while the team ended the Classification Phase with a 7–7 record. On November 10, 2010, Simon scored a career-high 42 points against the Air21 Express. Him and two-time MVP James Yap led the team to the quarterfinals, ^[76] in which the Llamados scored back-to-back wins against the Meralco Bolts. ^[77] For the series, Simon averaged 29.0 points and his contributions helped the Llamados to overcome Meralco in two games. However, they couldn't keep up the momentum in the semifinals after losing to the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in six games.

The 2011–12 season saw Simon and his team, B-Meg, being favorites in winning possibly the Grand Slam title with their new coach being the legendary coach Tim Cone. Simon helped the Llamados to a 10–4 win–loss record in the 2011–12 Philippine Cup, but unfortunately, the Llamados were knocked out in the quarterfinals after an upset by the Powerade Tigers led by Gary David. ^[78] After being upset in the Philippine Cup, B-Meg decided to keep their roster from the Philippine Cup intact. Their only addition to the roster is their import Denzel Bowles, who eventually won the Best Import of the Conference. Bowles helped the team to a 3rd-place finish in the elimination round. B-Meg was able to win the quarterfinal series against Meralco and the semis against rivals Barangay Ginebra. Simon and Co. faced the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the final, where they won the series in seven games. Going into the Governors' Cup, B-Meg gained confidence following their championship in the Commissioner's Cup, but they lost to Rain or Shine in seven games. Simon averaged 12.0 points per game on 47% field goal shooting.

Simon played a total of 64 games in the 2012–13 season, a career-high for him at the time. Although, Simon and his teammates were not able to make the finals in the first two conferences, being knocked out in the semifinals in the Philippine Cup and Commissioner's Cup. In the Governors' Cup, they made a finals appearance and became the eventual champion, beating its sister team Petron Blaze Boosters in a tightly contested seven-game series. Simon averaged 12.8 points in 28.0 minutes of action in 64 games.

The 2013–14 PBA season was probably the best season for Simon. Aside of him and the Mixers winning a rare Grand Slam in the 2013–14 season, he was a part of the PBA Second Mythical Team along with teammate Marc Pingris, Paul Lee, Sonny Thoss, and Rookie of the Year Greg Slaughter. Simon was also awarded 2013–14 PBA Mr. Quality Minutes by the PBA Press Corps Simon and also scored the most 2-point shots and the most number of total points among other players during the 2013–14 season. Thanks to his great performance off the bench, playing in a new career high 66 games and playing at an average of 28.4 minutes per game and scoring 13.5 points per game, he was a vital part of San Mig's Grand Slam season. Despite finishing the elimination round of all the three conferences at a combined 18–18 win–loss record, with their Commissioner's Cup record at 4–5, a losing record, they still cruised past their opponents, with Simon being a vital part of the offense, providing outside shooting off the bench.

PBA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

^{[79] [80]}

Season-by-season averages

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2004–05	Purefoods	62	14.9	.448	.309	.744	1.7	1.0	.3	.1	6.2
2005–06	Purefoods	28	9.6	.383	.258	.805	1.0	.4	.2	0	4.4
2006–07	Purefoods	39	21.6	.476	.443	.798	3.1	1.1	.4	.1	12.4
2007–08	Purefoods	50	22.7	.470	.304	.737	2.5	.8	.5	.1	13.4
2008–09	Purefoods	27	24.7	.498	.366	.728	2.4	.9	.4	.1	14.5
2009–10	Purefoods / B-Meg Derby Ace	52	13.4	.399	.333	.698	1.2	.8	.1	.1	5.6
2010–11	B-Meg Derby Ace	42	31.6	.506	.372	.771	3.4	1.6	.4	.1	17.1
2011–12	B-Meg	58	30.6	.479	.323	.733	3.9	1.5	.6	.3	12.0
2012–13	San Mig Coffee	64	28.0	.463	.321	.767	3.4	1.3	.3	.1	12.8
2013–14	San Mig Super Coffee	66	28.4	.479	.358	.722	3.4	1.6	.4	.1	13.5
2014–15	Purefoods / Star	41	21.5	.489	.377	.765	2.1	.7	.3	.0	9.9
2015–16	Star	36	26.0	.466	.454	.783	2.3	1.2	.3	.1	12.7
2016–17	Star	46	12.9	.426	.340	.778	1.5	.9	.1	.1	5.9
2017–18	Magnolia	49	10.8	.430	.425	.691	1.1	.4	.2	.0	5.9
2019	Magnolia	26	6.9	.413	.297	.889	.7	.4	.1	.0	3.1
2020	Magnolia	1	11.4	.667	—	—	.0	.0	.0	.0	4.0
Career		687	21.0	.467	.357	.753	2.4	1.0	.3	.1	10.1

Personal life

Simon is the youngest in the brood of three of Pedro Simon, Jr., a teacher and the late Cristina. He is the only athlete in the family, although his father played some basketball but not in the commercial leagues. After his mother succumbed to cancer, his father remarried. From his father and stepmother Flor, Simon has a half-brother and a half-sister. ^[81]

His older siblings are Maricris and Anthony, both have families of their own and are based in North Cotabato.

Simon is a member of Victory Christian Fellowship.

Along with close friend and Purefoods teammate James Yap, Simon guested at ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother on April 23, 2008.

References

1. "Davao Eagles declare all-out war vs opposition," The Manila Times, June 8, 2001
2. "Locals called to form Eagles," The Daily Tribune, May 31, 2001
3. "Davao Eagles will be a fighting team this year," The Manila Times, May 12, 2001
4. "Eagles pushing for all Davao squad for MBA," Malaya, May 31, 2001
5. "Local cagers, lalaro para sa Davao Eagles," Kabayan, May 31, 2001
6. "Eagles truly a Davao team", Manila Standard, May 31, 2001
7. "Eagles shock Slashers," The Philippine Star, June 30, 2001
8. "Spread the news – Eagles win, finally," People's Journal, June 30, 2001
9. "Eagles soar," Tempo, June 30, 2001
10. "Simon sizzles as Lakers trip Eagles," Manila Bulletin, July 23, 2001
11. "Lakers boost bid," People's Journal, July 23, 2001
12. "Dela Rosa, Simon hand Davao 3rd win," The Philippine Star, August 4, 2001
13. "Eagles get back at Patriots," Manila Standard, August 4, 2001
14. "Gracious exit for Davao," People's Journal, August 4, 2001
15. "Eagles bow out in style, beat Patriots," The Manila Times, August 4, 2001
16. "Rookie lifts TPF Davao vs N. Ecija," The Philippine Star, November 15, 2001
17. "Eagles triumph," Manila Bulletin, November 15, 2001
18. "MBA MVP malalaman bukas," Tumbok, December 30, 2001
19. "Eagles get Go, Mamaril,", People's Journal, March 12, 2001
20. "Professional Eagles ang TPG-Davao sa MBA," Pilipino Star Ngayon, March 19, 2002
21. "RP five wins," People's Journal, July 17, 2002
22. "MBA 5 beats Russia, 78–68," Manila Standard, July 17, 2002
23. "MBA All-Stars trip Russian in Jones Cup," The Philippine Star, July 17, 2002
24. "MBA topples Russia," People's Journal Tonight, July 17, 2002
25. "Adducul wins 2nd MVP plum," Malaya, January 28, 2003
26. "Welcoat takes Game 1," Manila Bulletin, January 24, 2004
27. "Welcoat sa Game One," Pilipino Star Ngayon, January 24, 2004
28. "Welcoat draws first blood in title showdown," Malaya, January 24, 2004
29. "Hapee in fiery debut," People's Journal, March 24, 2003
30. "No happy debut for Viva," The Philippine Star, March 24, 2003
31. "Hapee cops crown," Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 20, 2003
32. "PBL title to Hapee," People's Tonight Sports, June 20, 2003
33. "Hapee V-Day," Abante, June 20, 2003
34. "Sa Hapee ang korona," PM Pang-Masa, June 20, 2003
35. "Titulo ng Hapee itinadhana kay Baculi," Pilipino Star Ngayon, June 20, 2003
36. "Di sport," Tempo, June 21, 2003
37. "PBL Unity Cup MVPs honored," Manila Bulletin, June 21, 2003
38. "Fash captures crown," People's Journal Tonight, October 8, 2003
39. "Fash Liquid tops PBL-CBF meet," Bandera, October 8, 2003
40. "Welcoat 1 win away from title," The Manila Times, February 4, 2004
41. "Simon named PBL Platinum Cup MVP," Bandera, February 4, 2004
42. "Simon MVP," Pilipino Star Ngayon, February 4, 2004
43. "Simon steals show to bag MVP honors," Malaya, February 4, 2004
44. "Simon enables Liquid Power to forge sudden-death match," The Manila Times, February 6, 2004
45. "Fash forces rubber; Simon shines," The Philippine Star, February 6, 2004
46. "Welcoat pinaspasan ng Fash," PM Pang-Masa, February 6, 2004
47. "Tabla sa Dos," Abante, February 6, 2004
48. "Fonacier 'backbreaker' lifts Fash to PBL glory," Malaya, February 8, 2004
49. "Liquid Power bask in glory of emotion-filled season," Malaya, February 9, 2004
50. "Purefoods, Fedex triumph," People's Journal Tonight, November 6, 2004
51. "No. 4 sa Hotdogs," Abante Tonite, November 6, 2004
52. "Simon does it for the Giants," People's Journal, May 15, 2007
53. "June Simon week-best ng PBA Fiesta tourney," Tanod Dyaryo ng Bayan, May 15, 2007
54. "Peter June Simon named PBA Player of the Week," Taliba, May 15, 2007
55. "Giants nanliit sa Tigers," Taliba, May 5, 2007
56. "Import-less Purefoods tinuhog ng Coca-Cola," PM Pang-Masa, May 5, 2007
57. "Tigers survive scare," Tempo, May 5, 2007
58. "Import-less Purefoods yuko sa Coke," Pilipino Sports Ngayon, May 5, 2007
59. "Tigers sprint past Aces down the stretch," The Philippine Star, May 14, 2007
60. "Gin Kings luhod sa Giants", Pilipino Star Ngayon, May 14, 2007
61. "Perfect," People's Journal Tonight, November 5, 2007
62. "No stopping Purefoods," Tempo, November 5, 2007
63. "Tempers flare as Giants rout Ginebra Kings," Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 5, 2007
64. "Giants get lift from reserves," Tempo, November 15, 2007
65. "7–0 Giants win again, keep record intact," People's Journal, November 15, 2007
66. "Giants, 'di napigil ng Express," PM Pang-Masa, November 15, 2007
67. "SEVEN Purefoods keeps record clean," People's Journal Tonight, November 15, 2007
68. "Purefoods wala pa ring talo," Pilipino Star Ngayon, November 15, 2007
69. SOUTH NIPS NORTH IN HIGH-SCORING OVERTIME THRILLER
70. "South outguns North in OT ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}," The Philippine Star, April 28, 2008
71. "It's South," People's Journal, April 28, 2008
72. "South makes home fans happy," Manila Bulletin, April 28, 2008
73. "Mas magaling ang South Archived 2008-06-19 at the Wayback Machine ", Abante, April 28, 2008
74. Ochoa, Francis (March 3, 2010). "Purefoods sweeps Alaska, bags Philippine Cup". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
75. Beco, Erickson (September 8, 2010). "Llamados Eye to Defend Title Sans Two Stars". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
76. Castillo, Musong (November 25, 2010). "Llamados seek fifth straight win vs Aces". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 19, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
77. Panerio, Jonas (December 18, 2010). "Llamados cut Bolts in 2 overtimes". Cebu Daily News. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
78. "Fired-up David leads Powerade past B-Meg". Sid Lazaro, Yahoo! Philippines News . December 19, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
79. PBA-Online.net
80. Real GM
81. "Surprise for Simon ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}," SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star, May 1, 2008

External links

• PeterJuneSimon.com – Official Website
• Peter June Simon's PBA.ph profile
• Creative Work 4 Purefoods