PETER June Simon won't be home for Christmas.
Simon and the Star Hotshots have a big game on Christmas Day, December 25, against the Ginebra Gin Kings at the Philippine Arena.
"Ga-prepare mi run sa game (We are preparing for the game)," Simon said in a Facebook interview with VoxPop Davao on Friday, December 23.
He said the rest of his family will spend Christmas in their Makilala home in North Cotabato.
Simon said, "Unta makadaug mi sa Christmas Day game namo (I hope we win our Christmas Day game)," adding they hope to improve their team standings.
The Star Hotshots, toting a three-win, two-loss card, are currently tied on the third spot with four others while the 2-3 Ginebra Gin Kings and Meralco Bolts shared the fourth spot.
He also said that they are starting afresh after former teammate James Yap left and joined the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
"It's a new start (for us) after James Yap era. Tinabangay lang aron makaabot mi sa playoffs mao na amo ang goal (We are just helping each other so we could reach the playoffs which is our main goal)," the former University of Mindanao Wildcats said.
He, however, said he has assumed a mentoring role in the team.
Simon recently marked another milestone in his 12-year PBA career having made it to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) All-Time Top 50 scoring list.
"Wa damha nga maapil ta anang history kay sauna diha ra ko gadula sa barangay (I never expected to be part of history as I only played in the barangays when I started)," Simon added.
The recognition, according to him, is like an early Christmas gift from God but he reiterated that winning Sunday's game is most important to him.
