Paul Lee on Friday became the 92nd player in PBA history to collect 5,000 career points when his Magnolia Hotshots battled the Blackwater Elite in 2019 Commissioner’s Cup action.
Too bad he could not celebrate such historic feat.
The gunslinging guard had 25 points on top of eight assists and six rebounds, but his remarkable night got spoiled, 99-104, which had also ended to their five-game winning streak in the conference.
“Mas importante pa rin sa’kin yung panalo ngayon,” said Lee after the match. “Still sad kasi sayang yung games.
“We know na we can win this game pero hindi napunta sa’min.”
Magnolia’s hopes of attaining a twice-to-beat edge for the playoffs could have stayed alive had they managed to come out victorious. But Lee said that it isn’t really the Hotshots’ main focus.
“‘Di naman namin tintignan na ganun pero, alam mo yun, our goal is just one game at a time. So kung ano yung nasa harapan namin, yun yung paghahandaan namin,” said the eight-year pro.
“Kung maibigay sa’min yung twice-to-beat or ‘di palarin, okay pa rin. Kung saan man kami makarating, basta importante lagi yung kung sino yung makakalaban namin [doon ang focus namin].”
Now, Lee and the Hotshots are moving on from the stinging defeat. Their sights are now set on Sunday’s highly-anticipated clash versus defending champions Barangay Ginebra.
But for Lee, the simple fact that it is a Manila Clasico affair is more than enough to push his Magnolia.
“Siguro naman we don’t need any motivation on that game, siguro Manila Clasico is enough para ma-motivate ka kasi yun yung laging inaabangan every conference,” said Lee.
“Kailangan nandun ka physically and mentally. I think alam naman ng lahat — players, coaching staff — kung gaano ka-big game yung game sa Sunday.”
