Paul Lee was draining three after three at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. But it was just five in the afternoon, two hours before he faced his former team, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
A different Paul Lee tough showed up in the game. Instead of throwing bombs, he decided to dish out dimes, attempting just nine shots for nine points but was able to finish with 10 assists.
More importantly, he was able to set aside the emotions that this series carries for him as just a year ago, he was helping the Elasto Painters win the 2016 Commissioners Cup.
“Sakto lang, tears of joy,” the Finals MVP of that conference quipped after Star’s 118-82 rout of his former team.
“Siyempre last season nandoon ako sa Rain or Shine at nag-champion kami. Pero ngayon i-dedefend nila yung crown pero nandito na ako sa Star, may emotions talaga pero we need to be professional.”
But knowing his former teammates, the six-year league veteran, who is now 3-0 against his former team, knows that no series lead is safe against them.
“Rain or Shine yan, defending champion yan last season so kahit na lamang kami sa series na 1-0, it’s not gonna be easy next game,” Lee, who played his first five years in the league with the Asian Coatings Philippines-owned franchise, furthered.
For his part, he just plans to do what is needed of him, even if it will be painful for him to have a part in dethroning the reigning champions.
“I have a task sa Star na maglaro, ipanalo yung team so I’m just going to do my job,” Lee shared.
