Magnolia’s Paul Lee haunts his former team with a vintage performance, forcing a do-or-die game against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series.
Two underwhelming playoff games would not stop Paul Lee from finding his usual deadly offensive game.
The 13-year veteran with countless playoff experience and championship games let his game do the talking.
“I just stayed locked in. Gawin ko lang yung routine ko, kung ano yung ginagawa ko everyday," the 35-year-old spoke to reporters in the aftermath of the Magnolia’s 129-100 Game 4 romp of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on October 1, Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Paul Lee, Magnolia take Game 4 to drag Rain or Shine to sudden death in quarterfinal series]
Facing elimination, Magnolia rode the hot hand of Lee, who poured 25 points in a vintage showing that included six assists and three four-pointers to earn the Player of the Game honors.
Limited to just six points in Game 3 and four points in Game 4 loss, the three-time PBA champion haunted his former team behind his long-range marksmanship.
For Lee, his Game 4 outburst is the result of a well-crafted preparation alongside accepting the bruises and bumps that comes along with playoff basketball.
“[I] make sure na relax lang ako especially ‘yung mind ko and just embrace the moment especially ‘yung physicality.”
The Tondo native also credited his teammates for a much-needed win as Magnolia are now a win away from barging into the semifinals for the second time in the last three tournaments.
“Focus lang ako every possession and we’re very happy na lahat kami laser focused tonight. Grabe talaga yung focus na ipinakita namin, Hindi na namin inisip ‘yung last game na nangyari samin.”
“Binigyan lang namin ng chance ‘yung mga sarili namin and luckily nakuha namin.”
As of the writing, the updated schedule of Game of the Magnolia-Rain or Shine series is yet to be determined.