PAUL Lee almost regained his place in Magnolia’s starting unit in its PBA 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup game against Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
He was already told by coach LA Tenorio that he’d be part of the first five in lieu of fellow veteran Mark Barroca, who came in late for the Hotshots’ call time.
“Kasi nagkaroon ng aksidente si Mark, kaya na-late siya dumating sa game namin,” said the 37-year-old Lee.
“So nung umpisa, sabi ni coach LA, ‘Paul, mag-start ka na.' Ako naman, I always try to be ready every game.”
But Tenorio’s personal instruction came a tad too late.
Apparently, the coaching staff already submitted the names of Magnolia’s starters to table officials.
“Ang nangyari, napasa na yung papel nung hinihingi na yung listahan ng starters. So si Mark pa rin ang nag-start,” said Lee, who actually didn’t mind the mix-up.
But it was just a few-minutes stint as starter for Barroca.
“Nag-early sub na lang ako,” said Lee, who came in at the 10:42 mark of the opening quarter to substitute Barroca.
Lee's contributions
Lee went on and finished the game with eight points, three rebounds, three assists, and four steals, as the Hotshots improved to a 2-3 record.
READ: Chapman does a yeoman's job as Magnolia turns back Terrafirma
The veteran guard said, in the end, it doesn’t matter to him whether he starts or not.
“Lagi naman sinasabi ni coach LA sa amin, kahit sino, pwedeng mapunta sa situation na yun kaya lagi niyang sinasabi mag-ready kayo. Always ninyo isipin lagi na gagamitin ko kayo,” he said.
“Yun lang ang dapat na mentality namin na dalhin every game.”
Lee started for Magnolia just once in the mid-season conference during its maiden game against Phoenix.
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