No reason to dwell on the defeat for the Lethal Weapon.
Paul Lee could have ended his 35th birthday hoisting a trophy at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But instead, Lee and the rest of Magnolia wound up on the losing end in Game Six of their best-of-seven titular clash in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Wednesday night.
Despite the heartbreak on his special day, Lee still faced reporters with head held high shortly after San Miguel foiled the Hotshots, who displayed a gallant stand before falling 102-104 in the title clincher at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Probably the saddest birthday,” said Lee.
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It was not how he envisioned his celebration would be. But like a true pro, he is soldiering on.
Lee chooses to look into the positives of Magnolia's 2-4 finale loss, pointing out the things that he is grateful for. Proving that he could finish a series injury-free is among those.
“But marami pa namang mga bagay na dapat ipagpasalamat. Unang-una, natapos ang game na walang nasaktan," said Lee.
"Natapos ko ang series na laging sinasabi sa aking hindi ko natatapos dahil na-i-injure ako. So, 'yun 'yung mga bagay na puwede kong ipagpasalamat,” he added.
When Lee is healthy, he is lethal. And it was none more evident than in Game Six where he drilled in four triples on his way to finishing with 25 points. He also collared three rebounds and dished out the same number of assists.
But the Beermen were simply too much to handle, especially in the fourth period where they erased a 79-90 deficit behind eventual Finals Most Valuable Player CJ Perez.
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“We lost our focus. Medyo puwede nating sabihin doon na na-dominate kami ng San Miguel sa dulo,” the Angas ng Tondo said when asked about how San Miguel was able to flip the script in the final minutes.
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Lee tipped his hat off to their conquerors as he aims to move on from the loss and do better in the upcoming Philippine Cup.
"Credit to San Miguel. They really wanted to win tonight. So, move on. Tomorrow is another day," said Lee.