FANS of Paul Lee can now heave a sigh of relief.
An MRI scan on the hard-charging Rain or Shine guard ruled out an ACL injury or any tendon damage on his right knee, clearing him to return to action after at least a week of therapy.
Lee failed to finish his season debut with Rain or Shine on Tuesday night as he fell awkwardly on the floor after a collision with San Miguel Beermen guard Chris Ross as he was attempting a fastbreak play.
[See Newly signed Paul Lee fails to finish season debut due to knee injury scare]
Rain or Shine team therapist JD Calinawan told Spin.ph that Lee was diagnosed with patellar tendinitis, a common effect of a hyperextended knee, but nothing more.
“Patellar tendinitis lang. Effect lang 'yun ng hyperextended knee niya, may litid kasi sa bilog ng tuhod na natamaan kaya namaga,” said Calinawan.
“Buti na lang hindi ACL. Pero day-to-day pa rin siya ngayon eh,” added the Rain or Shine therapist.
Calinawan bared that Lee still feels stinging pain on his knee but can walk and run well.
“May masakit pa rin daw eh. May piling galaw yung tuhod niya. Nakakalakad na siya, kagabi nga na-try pa niya mag-sprint at mag-jog. Pero yung lateral, hirap siya. May kilos kasi na may kumakagat na pain,” explained Calinawan.
“So kung ngayon mo siya papalaruin, mahihirapan siya sa depensa, kasi may galaw na hindi niya kayang gawin kasi may sakit eh,” he said.
Lee has been told to undergo therapy for the next seven days before being cleared to return to action.
“Siguro safe sabihin na mga one week, with therapy and medication, pwede na siya maglaro ulit. Ngayon nga kung kakayanin niya at walang pain, pwede na siya maglaro eh,” said Calinawan.
“Ang challenge lang kay Paul ngayon, may discomfort siya sa ibang movement. Kaya pag dedepensa siya, baka maging liability siya,” he added.
Calinawan expects Lee to miss Rain or Shine's game on Friday against newcomer Blackwater Elite, but he hopes the former UE Red Warrior guard can already return to team practice on Saturday.
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