PAUL Lee may not no longer be 100 percent for the rest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven championship series after hurting his right ankle in the first quarter of Game Two, but the 'Lee-thal Weapon' has vowed to breach the pain barrier.
“Pinu-push lang ako ng teammates ko na laruin ko 'yung sakit. Kumukuha lang ako ng lakas ng loob sa kanila kasi kailangan eh, sacrifice lang dahil kung gusto namin manalo ng championship,” Lee, moments after Rain or Shine's come-from-behind 116-108 win over Talk 'N Text on Friday night.
The Rain or Shine guard shook off the injury to score 15 of his 20 points in the second half to help Rain or Shine level the finals at 1-1, and later vowed to finish the series no matter what.
"Iyung mga ganito (injury), i-isantabi na muna," Lee said as he walked out of the Rain or Shine dugout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with a limp.
“Tatapusin ko kahit ano ang mangyari sa series kasi gustong gusto ko talaga mag-champion.”
Lee has every reason to want a championship. The former University of the East star sat out with a shoulder injury when Rain or Shine annexed the franchise’s first and only PBA title during the 2012 Governors Cup.
And even if his Gilas Pilipinas teammate Jayson Castro is making a strong case for his third Best Player of the Conference award, Lee remains unperturbed.
Given a choice, Lee said winning a championship is far more important than anything.
“Kung para sa akin (ang BPC), para sa akin. Mas importante eh manalo ng championship. Iyun kasi ang pinaka-goal. Blessing kasi kung darating 'yun,” he added.
Game Three is set on Sunday.
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