Magnolia to honor PJ Simon’s jersey in Manila Classico match

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The “Scoring Apostle” is retiring from the PBA.

Considered as one of the deadliest scorers the PBA has ever seen, Peter June Simon, will be hanging up his jersey with the team he played with for 14 years.

The Magnolia Hotshots management will be honoring their superstar on May 10, 2020, in the most familiar Manila Classico when they face their number one rival in the league, the Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel.

A vital piece to the puzzle during Magnolia’s dominance in the 2000s era, Simon garnered a total of eight championship titles including a grand-slam in 2014, creating one of the best big threes the PBA has ever witnessed with James Yap and Marc Pingris alongside Simon leading their team.

Also, Simon was awarded as PBA’s Mr. Quality Minutes two times (2008 and 2014) and an eight-time all-star.

“Sa kanya dapat yun. On our part, we’re going to retire his jersey on the day of Manila Classico. Nasubaybayan ko yang bata sa simula pa lang,” said team Governor Rene Pardo.

Simon will be joining Alaska’s Sonny Thoss, NLEX’s Asi Taulava and Cyrus Baguio, and Harvey Carey of TNT Katropa who will be playing their final season in the PBA.