PERFECT TIME TO BREAK OUT OF SLUMP
The real Peter June Simon finally showed up last Saturday as the Makilala, North Cotabato native got out of his scoring funk to deliver an array of jumpers and one-handers to finish with 21 points and lead San Mig Super Coffee to the semifinals by eliminating defending champion Alaska, 79-65, in their Game 3 encounter.
“Yung past two games, di talaga ako makashoot kaya sobrang blessed lang ngayon na pumapasok yung mga tira ko,” the six-foot guard said.
Struggling to find his rhythm in the first two games, Simon joined forces with their import James Mays to rout the fierce Aces squad in this do-or-die affair.
The 33-year-old said, “Sinasabi lang ni coach sa amin everytime na do-or-die, it’s a players game. Pray lang ang ginawa ko at binigay ko lahat ng makakaya ko.”
Though the Coffee Mixers have a number of ailing players in their lineup, Simon said,”Lahat talaga, nagpa-participate at nagko-contribute. Di talaga kami bumitaw kahit pagod na kami. Alam naming mas hungry yung kabila pero pinakita namin na hungry pa rin kami (sa championship).”
And the game’s outcome also surprised him, as San Mig routed its fierce rivals by 14.
“Hindi ko nga inasahan na ganyang kalaki yung lamang namin kasi champion team sila at defensive-minded team din kaya nagpapasalamat na lang kami na napunta sa amin yung favor kaya masaya din kami,” Simon said.
With the Grand Slam looming over their heads, the Scoring Apostle kept his views in check, but notes that once the team gets to that point where they could etch their names among the select few to achieve such feat, they won’t blow their chance.
“Pag dumating na sa ganung opportunity, maiisip din namin yun,” he said, “Sabi nga ni coach, napaka-special pag nakapanalo ka ng tatlong straight kasi sobrang konti lang ang nakagawa nun dito sa PBA. Sana maging part din kami ng mga nakagawa ng Grand Slam.” (RL)
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