Peter June Simon

Infobox NBA Player
name = Peter June Simon
nickname = Super Sub, Nonoy


image_size = 200px
league = PBA
height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lbs=180
team = Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants
position = Shooting guard
birth_date = Birth date and age|1980|6|1|mf=y
birth_place = Makilala, Cotabato
college = University of Mindanao
nationality = Philippines
draft = 43rd overall, 2001 PBA Draft
draft_team = Sta. Lucia Realtors

former_teams =
career_start = 2004
career_end =
awards =

*2008 PBA All-Star Game MVP
*2003-04 PBL Platinum Cup MVP
*PBL Press Corps Final MVP, 2003 Sunkist PBL Unity Cup
*Second Mythical Team, 2002-03 PBL Challenge Cup
*2001 Discovery Player of the Year
*JS Gaisano Cup MVP (3 times)

Considered as one of the premier back up guards in the PBA, Peter June Simon has finally found his niche in his team, Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. In the 2008 PBA All-Star Game, he was voted as the Most Valuable Player.

College

To the uninitiated, PJ Simon was a relatively unknown. But to the hardcore basketball fans, and especially the Mindanao-based aficionados, PJ Simon was one of the biggest collegiate basketball heroes in Davao. He has built his reputation as one the fiercest and most exciting basketball warriors down south by joining in various competitions and leaving his marks on them. He collected three most valuable player (MVP) trophies in the collegiate leagues in Davao City ["Davao Eagles declare all-our 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 (MBA)

Having created a legendary status in various collegiate and commercial leagues in Mindanao, PJ Simon was easily handpicked to be a part of then Davao Eagles of 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 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 FEDEX Laguna Lakers' Biboy Simon in a fiery shootout and at the same time registering his new 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, PJ Simon fired yet another new career-high 41 points as he defied all guards thrown at him by the Patriots at their own turf. ["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, PJ Simon's hard work and heroics on the hardcourt has paid off. 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 team. In his first stint with the tricolors, 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 (PBL)

Following the disbandment of the MBA in July 2002, PJ 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 to barge into the Finals. In his first PBL Finals appearance, PJ Simon led Dazz in a losing cause by scoring 18 points as they surrender 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 team mate Richard 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, PJ Simon 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 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. ["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 Fash team mate Richard Alvarez, future Purefoods team mates James Yap and Ervin Sotto, and Jojo Tangkay. He also led his team in another title, beating Welcoat Paintmasters in a hotly-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]

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)

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 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 showcased his skills.

But like in 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 One 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 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 Talk N' Text 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 career-high 31 points and also grabbed ten 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 33rd season of the PBA proved to be the coming-out party for PJ Simon. While he 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, PJ 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 Purefoods by making 22 points in their 100-81 rout on Air21, tying the franchise's best to start in the All Filipino. ["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, PJ 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 off the bench.

2008 PBA All-Star Game

Owing to his impressive performance in the 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup, he was selected in a reserve role to take part in the All-Star Game held in Bacolod City. And PJ did not disappoint those who thrust him into that position as he made the most out of the opportunity. Although he only played for 20 minutes, he scored 29 points on 11-of-14 field goals and 4-of-4 on the 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 in his four-year career. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2090/1/ SOUTH NIPS NORTH IN HIGH-SCORING OVERTIME THRILLER] ] [" [http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080427119&type=2 South outguns North in OT] ," The Philippine Star, April 28, 2008] [" [http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-04-28&sec=7&aid=57671 It's South] ," People's Journal, April 28, 2008] [" [http://www.mb.com.ph/SPRT20080428123001.html South makes home fans happy] ," Manila Bulletin, April 28, 2008] [" [http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/apr2808/sports05.htm Mas magaling ang South] ", Abante, April 28, 2008]

Personal

PJ Simon is the youngest in the brood of three of Pedro Simon, Jr., a teacher and the late Cristina. PJ 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 some ten years ago, his father has since remarried. From his father and stepmother Flor, Simon has a half-brother and a half-sister. [" [http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080430193&type=2 Surprise for Simon] ," SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star, May 1, 2008]

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

PJ Simon and Charisma Peña of McCann-Erickson have been in a relationship for four years now. They plan to get married in two years. They are saving up enough for the future. [" [http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20080513119&type=2 NBA deadline today] ," SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin Henson, The Philippine Star, May 14, 2008]

PJ Simon is a member of Victory Christian Fellowship at The Fort, Taguig City.

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

References

External links

* [http://www.peterjunesimon.com/ PeterJuneSimon.com - Official Website]
* [http://www.pba.ph/roster/player.php?&playerid=181&playername=Peter%20June%20Simon Peter June Simon's PBA.ph profile]
* [http://www.creativework4purefoods.org/ Creative Work 4 Purefoods]