Paul Lee allayed fears of a major injury after suffering a sprained right ankle during Magnolia’s eventual win versus San Miguel on Sunday night.
The veteran gunslinger wasn’t really too worried when asked about his condition, saying that he had experienced far worse sprains in the past.
“Meron akong mga tapilok talaga na sobrang sama. Mas masama pa rito,” he said moments after their 94-90 victory at the Philsports Arena to go 7-0 and clinch a quarterfinal spot in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.
Lee got hurt late in the second quarter after accidentally stepping on the foot of opposing import Ivan Aska following an attempt to create space for a shot.
The star guard hobbled while jogging back on defense, and was subbed out shortly after as he requested. He still tried to play through the pain and assess his ankle in the third, but left the game for good at the 4:51-mark.
“‘Yung start ng second half tinry ko. Masakit e, kaya sabi ko, kumbaga, okay na ‘ko, ‘di ko na pipilitin,” said Lee, who left with only to points,.
“Kasi tinry ko mag-up and down, tas meron ako gagawing move, na-turnover ko ‘yung bola. Hindi ako makapihit ng maayos,” he added.
Had he been able to finish the game injury-free, Lee could have surpassed Mick Pennisi and moved to solo 10th in the PBA’s all-time most three-pointers made list. Both have 963 to their names, per league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III.
But it may have to wait. The 34-year-old’s only focus now is to fully recover in time for Magnolia’s meeting with Rain or Shine on December 16 in Cagayan de Oro City in another out-of-town offering by the league.
“May pain lang talaga kasi tumatanda na rin tayo. ‘Yun ‘yung pinaka-crucial doon, kung paano ko siya iha-handle. Buti na lang may one week going into the next game, at least makakapagpa-rehab pa ako ng maayos,” he said.
