Concerns rose late in Game Five of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals between the Magnolia Hotshots and San Miguel Beermen on Friday night, when Paul Lee went down writhing in pain.
The gunslinging guard fell to the floor clutching his left shoulder with 3:46 remaining in the fourth quarter, after colliding with SMB’s Marcio Lassiter. Lee went down again at the 1:50-mark.
The 30-year-old said he’s fine, though.
“Okay naman. Hindi naman serious. Kailangan i-observe overnight, and then tomorrow morning tignan kung gaano siya kasakit,” Lee said.
“Pero nothing serious naman.”
And the three-time PBA champion actually left Game Five elated. His Hotshots had reigned victorious, 88-86, largely thanks to Mark Barroca’s game-winning baseline jumper to beat the buzzer.
“Malaki. Sobrang big nun para sa amin,” said Lee – who had 12 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal in the win – of the game-winner, which coach Chito Victolero called a ‘miracle shot.’
“Hindi natin alam kung nag-overtime kung anong nangyayari, God’s plan. Medyo nakahinga nang maluwag.”
The win sent Magnolia to the brink of copping the title, as well as ending San Miguel’s four-year reign as All-Filipino champions. The Hotshots can do all that in Game Six this Sunday, May 12.
Lee knows how tough it is to close out a series, but he sees no problems as long as they play accordingly.
“Yun yung pinakamahirap, yung mag-close ng series. Hindi magiging madali. Pero positive lang kami and susundin lang namin lahat ng game plan namin, and magtutulong-tulong kami,” he said.
“Yun lang naman yung kailangan namin gawin para manalo kami. And play defense, of course,” the two-time Finals MVP continued.
“Kailangan namin maging aggressive sa start pa lang. Kahit na anong mangyari, kailangan hindi kami bibitaw. Kailangan ma-dictate namin yung tempo nang maaga. Tignan natin yung chance.”
