With Paul Lee celebrating and jumping on every Rain or Shine highlight during the Elasto Painters’ quarter-finals clash with the TNT Tropang Texters, it is clear excitement has already replaced patience as he prepares for a return to the hardcourt.
“Yes, more on excitement na. Ngayon, naramdaman ko na na may ibang moves akong nagagawa na hindi ako nasasaktan, so feeling ko mas lumalapit na talaga,” Lee said.
The Elasto Painters eliminated the Tropang Texters, 104-89 and shall move on to face San Miguel in the best-of-seven semi-finals starting on January 5.
Lee has been working on strength and conditioning, and is also joining shooting and walkthrough drills although he has not yet played in full contact with the team.
In a live report by Sports5’s Sel Guevara during the Rain or Shine-Blackwater broadcast last Saturday, Lee relayed he was “70 percent there.”
‘Good problem’
Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao later added he will figure out how to re-incorporate Lee back into the rotation while not sacrificing the chemistry built by his unit throughout the conference.
“At the start. Pero that is a good problem. Madali gawan ng paraan yan. Siguro sa umpisa, 10 to 12 minutes, pwede na sa kanya yan. As long as he can contribute and get his timing back. Ang problema mo talaga diyan yung timing mo,” Guiao shared.
“Also, if you play him too long, baka mag-dip naman o mag-iba yung chemistry ng team na nasanay na wala siya. You have to do it gradually.”
