The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

The Purefoods franchise have retired the numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris, two of their most iconic players in the past two decades. PBA Media Bureau.

MANILA (UPDATE) - The Purefoods franchise honored two of its most iconic players on Christmas Day, as they retired the jersey numbers of Peter June Simon and Marc Pingris.

At the halftime of the "Manila Clasico" showdown between the Magnolia Hotshots and the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings at the Araneta Coliseum, the tandem of Simon and Pingris were given the ultimate honor by their ball club.

Pingris' No. 15 and Simon's No. 8 joined Rey Evangelista's No. 7, Alvin Patrimonio's No. 16, and Jerry Codiñera's No. 44 in the pantheon of retired numbers by the Purefoods franchise.

It was an emotional ceremony attended by Pingris and Simon's families, along with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial, Magnolia team governor Rene Pardo, and San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua. Also present was Ginebra coach Tim Cone, who coached both Pingris and Simon in their careers.

Coach Tim, emotional as his former wards, PJ Simon and Marc Pingris' jerseys will be retired tonight. #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/NSuu6Ozvaj

— PBA (@pbaconnect) December 25, 2021

Simon had made his retirement official in September 2020, after spending all 17 of his playing years with the Purefoods franchise.

Simon, now 41, was left unsigned after being drafted in 2001 and only inked his first PBA contract in 2004 for Purefoods.

"The Scoring Apostle" would go on to become one of the best sixth men in the history of the league, and helped the Hotshots win eight championships -- including a Grand Slam in the 2014 season wherein he also made the Second Mythical Team.

• READ: After 17 seasons, PJ Simon announces retirement
• READ: Tributes pour in for PJ Simon after retirement

In his retirement speech, Simon emphasized his hometown of Makilala in North Cotabato, as well as the young players in Davao that he is currently training.

"I'm really looking forward na marami pang PBA player na nanggaling sa Makilala, North Cotabato, or sa buong North Cotabato, na makarating dito sa PBA," said Simon.

Meanwhile, the 40-year-old Pingris announced his retirement in May this year, after 16 seasons in the PBA -- a bulk of which were spent with the Purefoods franchise.

Pingris was a stalwart for the Hotshots, winning nine titles while anchoring their defense. He was a two-time Finals MVP and a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and was acknowledged as one of the 40 Greatest Players in PBA history in 2015.

The "Pinoy Sakuragi" was also loved because of his service to the country through his time with the Gilas Pilipinas national team. Pingris was a crucial part of the Gilas squad that won silver in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship and played in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

• READ: After 16 years in PBA, Marc Pingris announces retirement
• READ: In retirement, Marc Pingris searches for 'new journey'

Pingris had to fight back tears as he honored his mother, Erlinda Prado, as well as his wife Danica who were both present at the jersey retirement.

"Hindi ko ko akalain na ang isang batang palengke pala eh makakalaro sa PBA," said Pingris. "So lahat ng mga nanonood ngayon na mga bata, hard work lang. Kulang ang talento kung walang puso."

He also found time for humor, turning to Simon to say: "Grabe, nakaka-iyak palang mag-retire. Dapat 'di muna tayo nag-retire." Pingris also addressed the referees, whom he had a contentious relationship during his career: "Sa lahat ng mga referee na naka-away ko dati, sorry po. Sa mga technical na binigay niyo sa akin, salamat, naka-ambag ako sa PBA."

Both men were celebrated by the Araneta crowd, with the PBA welcoming its biggest live audience of the pandemic era.

"PJ and Marc (are) out. Thank you, PBA," Pingris announced.

Scoring Apostle x Pinoy Sakuragi #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/OIgNC51oWJ

— PBA (@pbaconnect) December 25, 2021