Magnolia Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero said that it will only take Paul Lee just days to recover from his knee injury, meaning that he won’t have to miss their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals clash with the Alaska Aces.
The 6-foot-1 gunslinger is currently hobbled by a nagging right knee injury. Still, he played through last Friday in the Hotshots’ 112-108 semis-clinching victory over two-time defending champions Barangay Ginebra Kings.
“Yung kay Paul Lee, a few days would be enough for him,” said Victolero moments after the Finals’ presser, Tuesday at Sambokojin in Eastwood, Quezon City.
It also helps that both teams will have a weeks-long break before starting the best-of-seven Finals. The league is giving way to the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers from November 30 to December 3.
“Malaking bagay yung break na ito, hindi lang for Romeo [Travis, hamstring] and Paul, also for other players na medyo maraming nararamdaman din,” he said. “Si Ian [Sangalang] may mga kaunting bruises din na nararamdaman.
“Malaking bagay yun sa amin.”
For his part, Lee is excited to play in their second Finals stint this season. And he and the Hotshots have redemption in mind following their five-game defeat to the San Miguel Beermen back in the 2018 Philippine Cup.
For Lee personally, he’s looking to add another PBA championship into his trophy room. He last tasted gold back in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, when he was still with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
“It’s going to be exciting, we don’t know what’s gonna happen,” said the two-time champ.
“The only thing na alam lang namin is it’s going to be fun to watch.”
