I still remember that sweltering afternoon in Manila, back when I first truly understood what made PJ Simon special. I was sitting in the upper bleachers of the Araneta Coliseum, the humid air thick with anticipation, watching the Cowboys face off against the Tubo Slashers. What started as just another regular season game would become one of those moments that changes how you see basketball forever - the kind of performance that makes you realize you're witnessing history in the making.
The energy in the arena was electric right from tip-off. You could feel something different about the Cowboys that day, especially in PJ Simon's eyes. There was this focused intensity about him that I hadn't seen before. He moved with this incredible grace, almost like he was dancing with the basketball. I recall thinking to myself, "This is different. This isn't just another game." And boy, was I right.
What unfolded over the next three quarters was nothing short of magical. The Cowboys weren't just playing basketball - they were performing artistry on the court. The statistics from that game still stick with me years later. The Cowboys hit an astonishing 12 triples compared to the Tubo Slashers' mere four. I remember watching the scoreboard tick upward, the gap widening with each possession. By the time we reached the third quarter, the Cowboys were leading 93-57. The numbers themselves tell a story, but being there in person? That told the real story of PJ Simon's impact on Philippine basketball.
There's something about watching a master at work that changes your perspective forever. PJ wasn't just scoring points - he was demonstrating a new way to play the game. His movements were economical yet explosive, his decisions precise yet creative. I found myself leaning forward in my seat, completely captivated by every possession. This was more than just a basketball game - this was a masterclass in what the sport could be.
Even when the Cowboys slowed down in the fourth quarter, getting outscored 12-20, it didn't matter. The foundation had been laid, the statement made. What PJ and the Cowboys demonstrated that day went beyond the final score. They showed that Philippine basketball could compete at a higher level, that our players could develop skills that matched international standards. That game, that performance, made me believe in the potential of local talent in a way I never had before.
Looking back now, I realize that afternoon was my personal introduction to understanding how PBA Legend PJ Simon transformed Philippine basketball forever. His influence extended far beyond that single game, but for me, that's where it all clicked into place. The precision, the skill, the vision - it all came together in those 48 minutes. Philippine basketball would never be the same after players like PJ showed what was possible. He didn't just change games - he changed how we think about our own potential in this sport we all love so much.