MANILA – After being dropped by the Magnolia Hotshots to the free agents list ahead of the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup restart, veteran guard Peter June Simon announced his retirement.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, the 40-year-old Makilala, North Cotabato-native said he was thankful to the Hotshots franchise where he spent his entire 17-year PBA career.
“Hindi ko inakalang posible pala para sa isang payat at maliit na bata mula sa Makilala, North Cotabato na makarating sa PBA. Hindi ko rin inakala na pagkatapos hindi mapansin (noong) 2001 PBA Rookie Draft na posible pa pala mag-iwan ng sarili kong marka sa liga,” Simon said.
“Now it’s time to focus on my family. My wife is pregnant and gusto ko magkasama kami as we start a family,” he added.
“Sobra-sobra ang mga biyayang natanggap ko sa buhay ko especially sa aking PBA career at pinapasalamatan ko ng buong puso ang Panginoon,” he furthered. “Nakakalungkot man pero ito na siguro ‘yung tamang panahon para magpaalam sa liga.”
Simon last saw action for the Hotshots in their 94-78 defeat at the hands of defending champion San Miguel Beermen at the start of the Philippine Cup last March 8.
Simon began his PBA career with Purefoods in 2004 as a free agent after being lowly selected and not signed by the Sta. Lucia Realtors in 2001. He won a total of eight championships, including a grand slam in 2014.
Simon was also an eight-time All-Star, who won the MVP honor in the 2008 All-Star game in Bacolod City, and was named to the Second Mythical Team in 2014. He also ruled the Three-Point shootout event of the 2019 All-Star weekend./PN
