PJ Simon dethrones James Yap as PBA 3-point king

MANILA, Philippines—PJ Simon did just enough to be crowned the champion of the Three-Point Shootout in the 2019 PBA All-Star Weekend Friday in Calasiao.

Magnolia’s veteran shooter finished with 17 points in the final round as the first shooter and had to watch NLEX’s Philip Paniamogan and NorthPort’s Robert Bolick take their turns before he could hoist the trophy.

Paniamogan struggled from the floor shooting just 14 points but it was Bolick who gave Simon a run for his money.

Bolick made four of his first five shots in the last rack, one of which was worth two points, but bricked the last moneyball that could’ve given him the title but he had to settle for the runner-up finish with 16 points.

Simon, 38, is in his 15th season in the PBA and he never expected to be invited for the exhibition.

“To be honest I never expected to be in this, I just want to thank God for lifting my name,” said Simon who also dethroned former teammate and now Rain or Shine shooting guard James Yap.

“I’m in the twilight of my career and I was still given a chance to compete here.”

Yap has two Three-Point Shootout titles under his belt but failed to defend his crown when he scored just 11 in the elimination round.