LEE-thal era penetrates PBA

Less talk. More action. Former King Warrior Paul Lee led the painting job after being hailed as the best player of the game on his terrific rookie play with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters surpassing by a whisker the Ginebra Gin Kings at 94-93 last Sunday at the PBA Season 37. Lee, no. 2 overall pick in the last Rookie Draft, discharged 21 points, issued eight assists, and grabbed five rebounds in a stunning pro debut game. Nilaro ko lang `yung game ko," said Lee, last years go-to-guy of Lualhati. Binigyan lang ako ng kumpiyansa ni coach Yeng [Guiao] at ng mga teammates ko," he added. Barangay Ginebra was leading Rain or Shine, 11-2, halfway through the opening canto when mentor Yeng Guiao decided to send the 22 year old rookie into battle. He immediately made his presence felt by scoring 10 points and later added three more to finish the half with 13 points and the Elasto Painters on top, 44-37. He played a great game. Hes physically tough, hes mentally tough. You cant coachthat. That did not come from me. Natural sa kanya yun. Hes just special," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao of Lee. After the game, Lee admitted being carried by the crowd, which was decidedly proGinebra. Nasanay na kasi ako sa UAAP na madaming crowd. Mas ginaganahan ako lalo kapag sumisigaw fans ng Ginebra! Ginebra!, said the former UAAP-NCAA MVP Lee. Though the former UE hotshot showed signs of being a rookie late in the game, committing a crucial turnover during Ginebras spirited rally, Guiao commended the influential action Lee contributed. Before, we had problems with zone defense. Now, we have a solution to that and Paul Lee is one of the solutions, said Guiao. Set to receive a monthly salary worth 350,000 pesos, Lee proved his worth when he was able to eclipse the first ever game output of Mark Caguioa in his rookie year taking the

playmaker role to bridge gaps when Ginebra decided to spring a 2-3 zone on Rain or Shine.

Monique Ann A. Tiongco is the Sports Editor of The Dawn, the Official Weekly Publication of the University of the East, and enjoys not only sports but as well as her accounting studies at the University. For inquiries and concerns, like UE Dawn Sports on Facebook and follow me on Twitter @UEDawnSports. See you at the ball games!