PeterJuneSimon.com - The Official Website of the 2008 PBA All-Star Game MVP

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 built his reputation as one the fiercest and most exciting basketball warriors down south in the various competitions he joined in and leaving his marks on them. He collected three most valuable player (MVP) trophies in the collegiate leagues in Davao and reigned five times as sultan of slams.

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 the then Davao Eagles of the Metropolitan Basketball Association. 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. He engaged with FEDEX Laguna Lakers' Biboy Simon in a fiery shootout and at the same time registering his new career-high 25 points. 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. 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.

At the end of the season, PJ Simon's hard work and heroics on the hardcourt paid off. He was named as the Discovery Player of the Year.

Also while playing in the MBA, he became a member of the Philippine national team. In his first stint for the Philippine 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.

Philippine Basketball League (PBL)
Following the disbandment of the MBA in July 2002, PJ 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. He also helped the team to barge into the Finals. In his first PBL Finals appearance, PJ Simon led Dazz in a losing, by scoring 18 points as they surrender to the Welcoat Paintmasters in overtime in Game 1 at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena.

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. Then in the deciding Game 5 of Unity Cup finals, Hapee rode again on the heroics of PJ Simon to capture the crown. For that he and teammate Richard Alvarez were later awarded by the PBL Press Corps as Final co-MVPs.

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.

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. Joining PJ Simon in the Mythical Team were Fash teammate Richard Alvarez, future Purefoods teammates James Yap and Ervin Sotto, and Jojo Tangkay. He also led his team to another title, beating Welcoat Paintmasters in a hotly-contested five-game series.

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. But 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.

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. He came up with a team-high 22 points in a game against Coke on May 4 then on May 13, he exploded for career-high 31 points and also grabbed ten rebounds to lead Purefoods in routing Ginebra, 117-105.

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.

Then ten days later, he once more top scored Purefoods by making 22 points in their 100-81 rout on Air21, tying the franchise-best start in the All Filipino.

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.

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.

Love life
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.

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.

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

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