Peter June Libo-on Simon (born June 1, 1980) is a Filipino professional basketball player who last played 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 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"Davao Eagles declare all-out war vs opposition," The Manila Times, June 8, 2001 and reigned five times as the Sultan of Slams."Locals called to form Eagles," The Daily Tribune, May 31, 2001
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."Davao Eagles will be a fighting team this year," The Manila Times, May 12, 2001"Eagles pushing for all Davao squad for MBA," Malaya, May 31, 2001"Local cagers, lalaro para sa Davao Eagles," Kabayan, May 31, 2001"Eagles truly a Davao team", Manila Standard, May 31, 2001 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."Eagles shock Slashers," The Philippine Star, June 30, 2001"Spread the news – Eagles win, finally," People's Journal, June 30, 2001"Eagles soar," Tempo, June 30, 2001 He engaged with Laguna Lakers' Biboy Simon in a fiery shootout and at the same time registering his career-high 25 points."Simon sizzles as Lakers trip Eagles," Manila Bulletin, July 23, 2001"Lakers boost bid," People's Journal, July 23, 2001 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."Dela Rosa, Simon hand Davao 3rd win," The Philippine Star, August 4, 2001"Eagles get back at Patriots," Manila Standard, August 4, 2001"Gracious exit for Davao," People's Journal, August 4, 2001"Eagles bow out in style, beat Patriots," The Manila Times, August 4, 2001 In his best outing as an Eagle, Simon fired yet another new career-high 41 points as he was simply unstoppable."Rookie lifts TPF Davao vs N. Ecija," The Philippine Star, November 15, 2001"Eagles triumph," Manila Bulletin, November 15, 2001
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."MBA MVP malalaman bukas," Tumbok, December 30, 2001"Eagles get Go, Mamaril", People's Journal, March 12, 2001"Professional Eagles ang TPG-Davao sa MBA," Pilipino Star Ngayon, March 19, 2002
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."RP five wins," People's Journal, July 17, 2002"MBA 5 beats Russia, 78–68," Manila Standard, July 17, 2002"MBA All-Stars trip Russian in Jones Cup," The Philippine Star, July 17, 2002"MBA topples Russia," People's Journal Tonight, July 17, 2002
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."Adducul wins 2nd MVP plum," Malaya, January 28, 2003 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."Welcoat takes Game 1," Manila Bulletin, January 24, 2004"Welcoat sa Game One," Pilipino Star Ngayon, January 24, 2004"Welcoat draws first blood in title showdown," Malaya, January 24, 2004
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."Hapee in fiery debut," People's Journal, March 24, 2003"No happy debut for Viva," The Philippine Star, March 24, 2003 Then in the deciding game 5 of Unity Cup finals, Hapee rode again on the heroics of PJ Simon to capture the crown."Hapee cops crown," Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 20, 2003"PBL title to Hapee," People's Tonight Sports, June 20, 2003"Hapee V-Day," Abante, June 20, 2003"Sa Hapee ang korona," PM Pang-Masa, June 20, 2003"Titulo ng Hapee itinadhana kay Baculi," Pilipino Star Ngayon, June 20, 2003 For that, he and teammate Rich Alvarez were later awarded by the PBL Press Corps as co-Final MVPs."Di sport," Tempo, June 21, 2003"PBL Unity Cup MVPs honored," Manila Bulletin, June 21, 2003
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."Fash captures crown," People's Journal Tonight, October 8, 2003"Fash Liquid tops PBL-CBF meet," Bandera, October 8, 2003
The following conference, PJ Simon won the 2003–04 PBL Platinum Cup MVP."Welcoat 1 win away from title," The Manila Times, February 4, 2004"Simon named PBL Platinum Cup MVP," Bandera, February 4, 2004"Simon MVP," Pilipino Star Ngayon, February 4, 2004"Simon steals show to bag MVP honors," Malaya, February 4, 2004 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 contested five-game series."Simon enables Liquid Power to forge sudden-death match," The Manila Times, February 6, 2004"Fash forces rubber; Simon shines," The Philippine Star, February 6, 2004"Welcoat pinaspasan ng Fash," PM Pang-Masa, February 6, 2004"Tabla sa Dos," Abante, February 6, 2004"Fonacier 'backbreaker' lifts Fash to PBL glory," Malaya, February 8, 2004"Liquid Power bask in glory of emotion-filled season," Malaya, February 9, 2004
Professional career Magnolia Hotshots (2004–2020)
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."Purefoods, Fedex triumph," People's Journal Tonight, November 6, 2004"No. 4 sa Hotdogs," Abante Tonite, November 6, 2004
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."Simon does it for the Giants," People's Journal, May 15, 2007"June Simon week-best ng PBA Fiesta tourney," Tanod Dyaryo ng Bayan, May 15, 2007"Peter June Simon named PBA Player of the Week," Taliba, May 15, 2007 He came up with a team-high 22 points in a game against Coke on May 4"Giants nanliit sa Tigers," Taliba, May 5, 2007"Import-less Purefoods tinuhog ng Coca-Cola," PM Pang-Masa, May 5, 2007"Tigers survive scare," Tempo, May 5, 2007"Import-less Purefoods yuko sa Coke," Pilipino Sports Ngayon, May 5, 2007 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."Tigers sprint past Aces down the stretch," The Philippine Star, May 14, 2007"Gin Kings luhod sa Giants", Pilipino Star Ngayon, May 14, 2007
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."Perfect," People's Journal Tonight, November 5, 2007"No stopping Purefoods," Tempo, November 5, 2007"Tempers flare as Giants rout Ginebra Kings," Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 5, 2007
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."Giants get lift from reserves," Tempo, November 15, 2007"7–0 Giants win again, keep record intact," People's Journal, November 15, 2007"Giants, 'di napigil ng Express," PM Pang-Masa, November 15, 2007"SEVEN Purefoods keeps record clean," People's Journal Tonight, November 15, 2007"Purefoods wala pa ring talo," Pilipino Star Ngayon, November 15, 2007
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."South outguns North in OT," The Philippine Star, April 28, 2008"It's South," People's Journal, April 28, 2008"South makes home fans happy," Manila Bulletin, April 28, 2008"Mas magaling ang South ", Abante, April 28, 2008
In the 2009–10 Philippine Cup finals, Purefoods swept Alaska, 4–0, to be crowned 2009–2010 PBA Philippine Cup champions.
The Llamados entered the 2010–11 PBA Philippine Cup as defending champions. 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, in which the Llamados scored back-to-back wins against the Meralco Bolts. 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.