ITS not the birthday gift Paul Lee wanted.
But that's basketball, according to the Magnolia Hotshots gunner.
"Probably the saddest birthday," he said on his way out of the Smart Araneta Coliseum just minutes after a 104-102 heartbreaker against San Miguel in Game Six of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Wednesday night.
READ SMB reigns supreme after great comeback over Magnolia in Game 6
"Pero marami namang bagay na puwedeng ipagpasalamat," added Lee who played his best game of the title series on his 35th birthday after topscoring for the Hotshots with 25 points.
"Unang-una natapos yung game ng walang nasaktan. And natapos ko yung series na laging sinasabi sa akin na hindi ko natatapos dahil na-injury ako. So yun ang mga bagay na puwede kong ipag-pasalamat."
Lee admitted the Hotshots lost the game in the final six minutes, just when they appeared poise to extend the title series to a Game 7 after leading, 95-86.
CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz brought San Miguel back to life with clutch plays and three pointers, including back-to-back treys by Chris Ross and Perez to give the Beermen a 103-99 lead in the final 48 seconds.
"We lost our focus. Dun puwede nating sabihin na na-dominate kami ng San Miguel sa dulo," said Lee. "Of course, there's a lot of players there with a lot of experience. Championship experience as a team."
The last of Lee's four three pointers with 2:28 to go gave Magnolia some breathing room, 98-92, but the Hotshots collapsed under the weight of a telling 11-1 run by San Miguel going home.
The guard out of University of the East tipped his hat off to the Beermen especially after clawing their way back from the jaws of defeat.
"Credit to San Miguel. They really want it tonight," said Lee.
The Magnolia star said he'll take a rest after a conference that saw the Hotshots emerge as the top seed in the eliminations and a favorite to win the championship only to lose in six games against San Miguel.
"So move on. Tomorrow is another day," added Lee.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
