Ever since he was traded for beloved Purefoods figure James Yap back in October 13, 2016, Paul Lee has been playing under a microscope.
Could the Leethal Weapon match Big Game James’ seven championships? Could he even give one to the storied franchise?
Exactly 797 days after that blockbuster trade, Lee stood on one end of the Ynares Center, trying to hold in his emotions. The 6-foot combo guard was torn between screaming or tearing up.
After all, he had just won his first championship with the Magnolia Hotshots.
“Siyempre, mabigat yun.
“Yun yung unang tinitignan ever since nung na-trade ako dito for Kuya James,” reflected Lee, a seven-year vet. “Yun yung tinitignan ng tao na kung makakapag-champion ako sa franchise ng Purefoods.”
In his first season with the Hotshots, he could only lead the team to three straight Finals appearance. An achievement to some, but not enough for the passionate Purefoods fans.
“Lahat naman yun, tulong-tulong kami. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na tulong-tulong lang at maglaro tayo para sa isa’t isa,” Lee shared about what he told his teammates entering the season.
Magnolia made it to the Finals, but were overwhelmed by the San Miguel Beermen during the Philippine Cup. An injury-ridden Commissioner’s Cup campaign followed suit.
In the final conference of the season, Lee was not to be denied. He won Best Player of the Conference honors after leading the Hotshots to their 29th Finals appearance.
Then in the their title-clinching win Wednesday, the player known as Angas ng Tondo helped buck any late-game rally from the Alaska Aces, scoring nine of his 16 points.
“We treated this game as a do-or-die game. Yun yung napagsundaan ng coaching staff and ng buong team. Ang maganda yung response, talagang naayos,” said Lee.
“Kahit nagkakaroon sila ng runs, yung composure namin nandun talaga.”
In a year that saw him become a father; return to Gilas; and now return to the top of the basketball world, Lee struggled to muster words to describe his sensational year.
“Sana huwag matapos yung blessing. So, I’m just very happy right now. Wala na kong mahihingi pang iba. Wala kong masabi. Talagang sobrang na-bless ako this year.”
How sweet it is.
