WHILE the young guns of Rain or Shine bask in the limelight in the PBA Governors' Cup playoffs under the guidance of coach Yeng Guiao, it is nearly the opposite for former Elasto Painters star Paul Lee and the Magnolia Hotshots.
After Lee and the Hotshots got bundled out of the title race yet again, one of his former teammates, Ronnie Matias, believes he knows why success remained elusive for Lee since they won PBA championships together at Rain or Shine in 2012 and 2016.
Matias said unlike at Rain or Shine, Lee is 'wrongly utilized' at Magnolia.
“Malakas pa rin si Paul; Paul Lee pa rin 'yan eh. Kaso iba kasi yung coach nila dun (sa Magnolia), Chito Victolero. Syempre, iba-iba ang tingin ng coach sa mga players, pero sa Magnolia, tingin ko di lang nagagamit yung tunay na laro ni Paul,” said Matias, who now plays for Batang Kankaloo in the MPBL.
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“Kung magagamit mo ng tama si Paul, makaka-contribute yan. Dun kasi sa Magnolia, iba ang plays nila kay Paul. Kahit mahaba ang playing time, tingin ko di nagagamit ng tama 'yung laro at purpose niya. Saka marami ding star players dun. Agawan sila,” he added.
Matias believes a reunion with Guiao can perk up the career of the 2011-2012 PBA Rookie of the Year and former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay.
“Sure 'yun. Lalabas ulit laro ni Paul kay coach Yeng. Alam ni coach Yeng gamitin yun eh. Alam ni coach Yeng ang lakas at kahinaan ni Paul. Kaya kung mababalik sa Rain or Shine si Paul, sigurado ‘Angas ng Tondo’ ulit yun,” said Matias.
A known enforcer during his time in the PBA and even today in the MPBL, Matias also explained why Lee has become injury-prone, especially come the playoffs.
“Sa tingin ko, wala ngang maayos na play kay Paul. Pag sa kanya na yung bola, bahala na siya, walang help sa mga kakampi. So, yung mga defenders, gino go hard na siya,” said the former University of Manila standout.
“Kasi nung time namin sa Rain or Shine, may options si Paul na papasahan na iba. May play sa kanya kung kailan siya titira, kailan siya mag-hand off. Kaya nababawasan ng defenders sa harap nya,” he added.
Matias cites as examples Rain or Shine’s present crop of youngsters led by Andrei Caracut, Adrian Nocum and Jhonard Clarito.
“Yung mga players ng ROS ngayon, parang si Paul lang yung mga yun noong araw. Sila Nocum, Caracut at Clarito, kita mo ang gagaling, di ba? Kasi alam ni coach Yeng gamitin. Sobrang bata pa ang gagaling na, malayo mararating ng mga 'yun,” said Matias.
Without a doubt
Asked if a 35-year old Lee can still be useful to Guiao, Matias said he has no doubt.
“Oo naman. Magagamit pa rin ni coach Yeng yun. Pag nag-Rain or Shine ulit yan, sisikat lalo 'yan. Kay Coach Yeng gaganda ulit ang laro nyan,” Matias said, stressing that Lee has always taken care of his body.
“Madisiplina 'yang si Paul, laging nagpapakundisyon yan, laging nage-extra yan. Saka ang sipag nyang si Paul, bago mag-ensayo, laging nagsho-shooting yan, kulang-kulang dalawang oras pa, hindi nyan pinapabayaan katawan nya,” he said.
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