Paul Lee took full responsibility for the Magnolia Hotshots’ 103-107 loss to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel back in Game Three of their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series last Wednesday.
But two nights later, he redeemed himself in the best way possible.
The lethal 6-foot-1 gunslinger coolly sank his free throws with 13.7 seconds left to help the Hotshots take down the Gin Kings’ two-year reign in the season-ending conference, through a scintillating 112-108 victory at the Ynares Center.
“Of course, ‘pag nakuha namin or na-convert ko yung dalawa, yung chance namin manalo malaki na. Kasi parehas penalty na so bababa na rin sa shooting game yan. Sa free throw na mapupunta yan eh,” said Lee, who had 11 points.
“So yun na-convert namin.”
But Lee’s outing is additionally impressive since he was playing through significant pain. The 29-year-old was having problems with his right knee, and his status for Game Four was up in the air until Friday morning.
But Lee downplayed the injury.
“Wala naman. Nothing serious,” said the second overall pick by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in 2011.
“Nabo-bother lang ako sa movements ko, pero yun nga just play through it. Sa mga ganitong situation, kailangan mo lang tiisin.”
Lee and the Hotshots are currently in a frenzy, as they head into their second Finals trip this season, and await the winner of the Alaska-Meralco tiff. But the seven-year pro insisted that their job isn’t done yet.
“Itong Game Four na ‘to, tapos na rin parang celebrate ngayon pero job ain’t finished pa rin,” he said.
“We beat the defending champions pero ‘di pa rin kami champion, so kailangan naming talunin pa rin kung sino mananalo sa kabila.”
