Hot Simon carries B-Meg 5 vs Tigers

Manila, Philippines - Peter June Simon got away with a huge 33-point off-the-bench game last night, keying a decisive second-quarter turnaround that carried B-Meg to a 103-90 win over Powerade in the PBA Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Simon bucked an ankle sprain and played big with 3-of-5 shooting from the three-point area, 9-of-9 from the two-point zone and 6-of-7 from the stripe for the third biggest output in the conference, next to Chris Porter’s 38 and Arizona Reid’s 36.

“I found a good rhythm in the second quarter and I just kept on shooting,” said the seven-year PBA veteran taking charge for a B-Meg team reeling from injuries to Kerby Raymundo, Rafi Reavis and Rico Maierhofer.

“PJ (Simon) really played well. He came out in the second quarter bringing in the energy, the points and everything. He played like our import,” said B-Meg coach Jorge Gallent.

“The guys are aware they have to step up with the team missing several injured players. How we wish our injured players could come back soon. We miss them badly. They’re our last line of defense,” Gallent also said.

Joe De Vance likewise endured back spasm to pike up 21 points and nine rebounds and help the team bounce back from a loss to Rain or Shine in Tacloban, Leyte last Saturday.

Import Stefhon Hannah had another miserable shooting night (3-of-15) but made up for the scoring slack with nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals.

Hannah and his teammates also limited Porter to 17 points after a 38-point game, handing the Tigers their second straight defeat following an 82-90 loss to the Ginebra Kings Sunday.

“He’s (Hannah) not yet showing the game that made him the NBA D-League Finals MVP. We need more effort from him offensively. Hopefully, he can adjust to our brand of game,” said Gallent.

Simon tossed in 17 points in a key run that sent B-Meg ahead, 49-45, after trailing by 16 points thrice in the opening period.

Norman Gonzales pumped in a triple with eight seconds left to play to make it 48-49 at the half.

Simon kept his hot shooting through the third period, going 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and 3-of-3 from the two-point zone as B-Meg stretched its lead to 74-64.

The 5-foot-11 Davaoeño wingman had converted all his first 10 field attempts before missing a shot.

With hardly a rest from his long flight from the United States, Jeremy Wise powered Petron Blaze to a 115-106 win over Air21 in the nightcap.

Wise, a replacement import to Ricky Harris, debuted in the local pro league with 33 points, helping the Boosters overcome Jay Washington’s early ouster due to an injury.

“We seem to have gotten the right import. He looks fit for us,” said Petron coach Ato Agustin.

Curiously, Simon nearly outscored the entire Powerade team, 29-31, in the middle quarters.

Mark Macapagal started the game with a four-point play and added six more points as the Tigers took control in the opening period, enjoying 16-point spreads at 29-13, 31-15 and 33-17.

They were still comfortably ahead at 37-24 when Simon came in to spearhead a big B-Meg onslaught.

Simon scored all but one of the Llamados’ last 18 points in the first half.

Before Simon took over, De Vance and James Yap carried the fight for B-Meg, combining for 25 points in the opening half.

Hannah chipped in only three on 1-of-7 shooting.