Since Paul Lee got called for a foul on Chris Ross in the third quarter of Game Three of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals between the Magnolia Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, they haven’t stopped talking smack at each other.
The two exchanged verbal jabs whenever they faced each other on the hardwood, and would trade baskets as well. But it was the gunslinging guard who got the last laugh, as the Hotshots beat the Beermen, 86-82, for a 2-1 series lead.
However, Lee made it clear that there’s nothing personal between him and Ross.
“Siguro yun lang yung competitiveness naming dalawa,” he said. “Normal yun as a player. But at the end of the game we’re friends. Hanggang dun lang naman yun eh, championship to eh. Ine-expect namin yun.
“After that okay na ulit.”
For Lee, what’s more important is the win, as it gave them the edge in the best-of-seven affair.
And it was their defense that played a key role in the victory.
The Hotshots made it a tough night for the Beermen, as they made the latter shoot just 28 of their 85 attempts from the field. Even June Mar Fajardo couldn’t play his game, as he only had 17 markers on 11 attempts with 14 boards.
“Yun talaga yung key ever since eliminations. Yun talaga yung kailangan namin gawin kasi yun naman yung face ng team namin, depensa,” said Lee.
“Kita naman kapag umabot ng one-hundred points yung San Miguel, sobrang hirap na talaga manalo.
“At least gumana yung depensa namin,” he closed.
