MPBL reunion with pal Pingris a factor in PJ Simon's decision to unretire, says coach Charles Tiu

PJ Simon played close to his entire illustrious 17-year career in the PBA alongside teammate and longtime friend Marc Pingris.

That's why when an opportunity to reunite with his old buddy presented itself, Simon made the choice to come out of retirement, which lasted a little over a year.

Simon, who has eight PBA titles under his belt including a rare grand slam, was announced to be playing for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) Invitational Cup.

Head coach Charles Tiu confirmed the news to GMA News Online and shared he had been talking with Simon even before the pandemic hit. But the mentor stressed that playing anew with Pingris prompted Simon to unhang his jersey uniform.

Pingris recently came out of retirement to also join the MPBL club just months removed from his own announcement that he had called it a career.

"Oh, well we have been talking about it for a while. He was supposed to play already for us before the lockdown canceled the season," Tiu said in an interview.

"Yes, Ping was a factor."

Tiu, though, is well aware of the fact that Simon hasn't played competitive basketball for quite some time now but said they will be patient in helping the 41-year-old return to his tip-top  shape.

After all, Tiu noted, Simon suiting up for the Rice Vanguards is a long-term plan.

"And he still is competitive and wants to play. It may take him a while to get back to his old self but we are in it for the long term."

The MPBL Invitational Cup is tipped to unfurl on December 11.

—JMB, GMA News