Paul Lee shared his thoughts as Magnolia opened its quarterfinal campaign against Rain or Shine with a loss in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.
No excuses.
Paul Lee was firm in saying that Magnolia simply failed to protect a double-digit fourth quarter lead in its 105-109 loss to Rain or Shine in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
The Hotshots saw their 84-94 lead slowly dissipate as the Elasto Painters delivered the finishing blows to snatch the headstart in the best-of-five affair.
“No excuses. We got the lead pero 'di namin naalagaan,” said Lee, who finished with 15 points.
[WATCH: Rain or Shine steady at the homestretch, takes QF opener vs. Magnolia | PBA Highlights]
That game also saw import Rayvonte Rice submit only 16 points on a woeful 6-of-20 shooting from the field in over 34 minutes of play.
But Lee understood there’s still an adjustment period for the reinforcement who joined the team less than two weeks ago.
“Bago lang ang import namin. Wala pa yatang two weeks dito sa'min 'yan. Mahirap ding lumaban sa well-oiled team. No. 1 sa kabilang bracket tapos may bago kang import,” said Lee.
“Nandoon kami sa adjustment period pero again, no excuses. We got the lead on the last part. Again, 'di namin naalagaan.”
Lee welcomes whatever Rice could contribute to the team.
“It is what is is. Kung ano man ang dadalhin niya sa team, kung ano man ang ibibigay niya, grateful na ako doon. And thankful ako doon,” Lee said of Magnolia's new reinforcement, who replaced injured Shabazz Muhammad (left knee).
Rice will have another chance to prove himself when Game 2 unfurls on Friday, Sept. 27.