Paul Lee was almost nonexistent for the Magnolia Hotshots in their game versus the Phoenix Fuel Masters last Sunday. He only had eight points, and things turned worse when he and Magnolia bowed in the end, 82-95.
“Masama gising that time,” he recalled.
So when the Hotshots faced J’Nathan Bullock and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters three nights later, the gunslinging combo guard set his sights on redeeming himself from that lethargic Sunday performance.
Fortunately, he was able to do so.
The 6-foot Lee, despite shooting just 6-of-17 from the field, finished with 22 points alongside seven assists, four steals, and two rebounds to help the Hotshots return to the 2018 Governors’ Cup win column, 92-76.
“I just played my game. I just focused for this game kasi I had a bad game last game so very important for me to redeem myself,” said Lee, who’s fresh from a tour of duty with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“Right now medyo adjusted na rin siya,” said Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero. “Medyo pagod pa yung bata. But now he knows the importance of this game so sa simula pa lang he’s so aggressive on both ends.
“I know na medyo magiging maganda yung to sa’min dahil nakita ko si Paul na very aggressive.”
Now that he was able to fulfill his own goal, Lee is looking forward on Sunday, as the Hotshots will be locking horns with the San Miguel Beermen, who are hungry for a W following their loss to the Barangay Ginebra last Sunday.
“Of course very important [yung game namin sa Sunday versus SMB] kasi ito yung mga team na dapat namin ipanalo kasi kakailanganin namin to end of the eliminations,” said the 29-year-old.
“Sa San Miguel 50-50 na kami dun.”
