It has been a while since PJ Simon carried the offensive load for the Star Hotshots.
Once the team’s top gun, PJ Simon the 37-year-old sniper from Makilala, North Cotabato on Sunday played his best game of the season, finishing with 20 points to power the Hotshots to a 103-86 triumph over the injury-riddled Blackwater Elite.
“Matagal na talaga, two years ago pa yata,” said Simon, the 12th oldest player in the PBA, when asked about the last time he led Star to a victory.
“Nag-usap nga kami ni Coach Johnny (Abarrientos) kanina. Sabi niya ready lang ako dapat sa mga ganito kasi may game talaga na magma-match up si Coach (Chito Victolero), na pwedeng ma-extend yung minutes ko.”
Unlike before when he played major minutes, Simon has accepted his role as a spark off the bench.
A former Mr. Quality Minutes awardee of the PBA Press Corps, Simon moved up to the starting role when Tim Cone took over as head coach of the old Purefoods franchise in 2012.
There, he became one of the team’s stars and won five championships while playing a key role in Cone’s triangle offense.
But since Cone left, Simon’s minutes have been sliced down. The veteran however doesn’t mind.
“Personally, ako na rin yung nagsabi sa kanila na I’m willing to sacrifice sa minutes ko kasi nga hinahabol ko lang naman yung chemistry namin,” he said.
“Hinahabol ko lang makakuha kami ng championship. If ever naman na hindi ako mabibigyan ng time, wala namang problema sa akin.
“If ever makikita niyo ako sometimes maglalaro ako, sometimes hindi. Ako na mismo magsasabi walang problema sa akin. Ang goal natin one page lang tayo. Ang goal lang namin makaabot sa championship.”
