Magnolia officially retired the jersey numbers of Marc Pingris and Peter June Simon at halftime of the PBA Governors’ Cup duel between the Hotshots and Barangay Ginebra on Christmas Day at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The two all-time greats received their framed uniforms while showered by the cheers and adoration of an appreciative crowd in a ceremony that made this particular chapter of the Manila Clasico rivalry even more memorable.
Magnolia governor Rene Pardo and San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua presided over the rites, together with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.
Present as well as their former head coach Tim Cone, the architect of San Mig Coffee’s historic Grand Slam achievement in 2014 that had the celebrated troika of Pingris, Simon, and two-time MVP James Yap at the forefront.
Photo by PBA Images
“Hindi lahat ng player nabibigyan ng ganitong pagkakataon na mai-retire ‘yung jersey, kaya lubos akong nagpapasalamat,” Simon expressed.
Pingris, who decided to call it quits just before the 46th season, wore no. 15 during his stint with the franchise from 2005 to 2019.
The 40-year-old turned emotional as he expressed thanks to mother Erlinda, who was in attendance, for raising him to become the man that he is today.
Photo by PBA Images
“Gusto ko lang i-honor ‘yung mother ko sa pagpapalaki niya sa amin. Hindi ko akalain na ang isang batang palengke pala e makakalaro sa PBA. Lahat na mga nanonood, hardwork lang! Kulang ang talento kung walang puso.
“Thank you, Ma. I love you so much. Pinagmamalaki kita lagi,” continued the proud son of Pozzorubio, Pangasinan.
Simon, meanwhile, wore no. 8 in his entire stay with the ball club from 2004 to 2020. He hung up his sneakers for good September last year.
Photo by PBA Images
“Buong puso ako nagpapasalamat sa Purefoods management for giving me the opportunity to play my entire career dito sa PBA,” said the pride of Makilala, North Cotabato. “Since from the beginning naglaro ako sa team na ito.”
Pingris and Simon won eight PBA championships together, the last of which was in 2018 when the Hotshots ruled the Governors’ Cup.
“Sa lahat ng naging teammates ko and naging coach ko … you’re all part of this wonderful journey. Sobrang dami nating memories and maraming salamat for the championships that we’re together,” Simon said.
The two are the latest to have their jerseys retired by Purefoods, next to the no. 16 of four-time MVP and current team manager Alvin Patrimonio, the no. 44 of the Jerry Codiñera, and the no. 7 of Rey Evangelista.
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