PJ Simon PBA Career Highlights and His Journey to Basketball Stardom

I still remember watching PJ Simon drain those twelve three-pointers like it was yesterday. The way he moved without the ball, finding pockets of space against the Turbo Slashers' defense, was nothing short of artistic. That particular game stands out in my memory not just for his shooting clinic, but for how it encapsulated his entire career trajectory - explosive, dominant, yet always maintaining that quiet professionalism that made him so beloved among PBA fans. When you look at the final numbers from that night, with the Cowboys leading 93-57 before taking their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter where they got outscored 12-20, you see the pattern that defined Simon's game: build an insurmountable lead through sheer offensive brilliance, then let the bench finish the job.

What many casual observers miss when they look at Simon's career numbers is the incredible efficiency he maintained throughout his prime. Shooting 48% from the field during his best seasons while averaging around 18 points per game might not jump off the page in today's analytics-driven NBA, but in the PBA context, against the defensive schemes he faced night after night, those numbers become much more impressive. I've always argued that Simon belongs in the conversation about the most underrated scorers in Philippine basketball history. His mid-range game was virtually unguardable, and his ability to create separation without elite athleticism speaks volumes about his basketball IQ and footwork fundamentals.

The journey from being a relatively unheralded prospect to becoming one of the PBA's most reliable scorers wasn't overnight. I recall interviewing coaches who worked with him early in his career, and they all mentioned the same thing - his work ethic was second to none. While other players might skip optional shooting sessions, Simon would be there putting up hundreds of shots, perfecting that quick release that became his trademark. This dedication translated into remarkable consistency; during his peak years with the Purefoods franchise, he averaged between 16-20 points for six consecutive seasons, a testament to his durability and sustained excellence.

Watching Simon evolve his game over the years taught me something important about basketball development. He wasn't the most vocal leader on the court, but he led by example through his preparation and performance. His game aged beautifully too - as he lost a step physically, he developed smarter ways to get to his spots, using more hesitation moves and better reading defensive rotations. That 12-three-pointer performance against the Turbo Slashers came during what I consider his basketball prime, around 2012-2014, when he had the perfect blend of physical ability and veteran savvy.

What I personally admire most about Simon's career is how he remained relevant and effective even as the game around him changed dramatically. When the PBA shifted toward more three-point heavy offenses, he adapted without sacrificing the mid-range game that made him special. His basketball journey demonstrates that stardom isn't just about flashy highlights or social media presence - it's about sustained excellence and adapting to remain effective. The Cowboys' dominant performance that night, building that 93-57 lead before the fourth-quarter slowdown, perfectly illustrates how Simon's teams often operated: establish control through efficient offense, then manage the game intelligently.

Looking back at his entire body of work, I'd place Simon in that special category of players who maximized every ounce of their potential. He might not have been the most gifted athlete in the league, but he turned himself into an offensive weapon that coaches had to gameplan for specifically. His career serves as an excellent blueprint for young players today - showing that skill development, basketball intelligence, and consistent work ethic can elevate you to stardom even without otherworldly physical tools. That legacy, to me, is just as important as any single-game scoring outburst, even one as spectacular as that twelve-three-pointer masterpiece.