Tributes pour in as PJ Simon announces retirement

Not only his fans were saddened by Magnolia veteran PJ Simon’s decision to retire.

Current and former teammates, as well as fellow players, paid tribute to the “Scoring Apostle.”

One of Purefoods’ “Big Three,” Marc Pingris thanked Simon for the memories they shared together.

“Salamat tol @pjs08 sa binigay mo na saya sa team at sa PBA! Salamat sa mga kwentuhan, champion, kulitan at samahan natin!” Pingris wrote on Instagram.

“It's time na mag enjoy ka kasama ang maganda at mabait mo na asawa! Basta kong may problema tol alam mo number ko!” he added.

Ginebra’s Mark Caguioa, in a comment on Simon’s post, described him as “one of the nicest [guys] on and off the court.”

“Pj might be a nice guy but dont let that fool you. I call this guy a quiet assasin bcuz he usually goes under the radar. He is a born winner and a true champion,” Caguioa said about his PBA draft batchmate. 

“Congrats on a Hall of Fame career my friend! Always had my utmost respect! One of the best!” said former Gilas Pilipinas captain Jimmy Alapag.

Simon announced his retirement Wednesday. “Kinailangan kong umuwi ng Davao nung nagkasakit at namatay ang father ko at nahirapan na rin akong makabalik dahil sa pandemya. Sign na rin siguro ’yun na ito na yung tamang time para magretiro.” – Justin Kenneth Carandang/RC, GMA News