Paul Lee could not remember when he sustained the injury which made him sit out Magnolia’s first two games in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup in 2025.
After going to battle against Ginebra on Christmas Clasico, Magnolia star Paul Lee naturally had sore knees.
Icing those did not do much help, though.
Persisting pain forced Lee to undergo MRI.
Therafter, he learned that he sustained a meniscus injury, forcing him to sit out the Hotshots' games against Terrafirma last Friday, Jan. 10, and San Miguel on Sunday in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
[RELATED STORY: Struggling CJay Perez repays San Miguel coaches’ trust with explosive outing vs Magnolia]
In a previous interview, Lee said he is doing rehab and is day-to-day.
“Day-to-day kasi nag-shut down 'yung tuhod. Kailangan lang palakasin talaga,” Lee said.
The 35-year-old gunner said he is keeping his fingers crossed he will not need any surgery to treat his knee.
“Right now, rehab muna hanggang maibalik 'yung strength. So, hopefully, hindi na kailangang operahan and sana makuha ng rehab,” he said.
Magnolia badly needed Lee in its narrow loss against the Beermen.
San Miguel leaned on veterans CJay Perez and Marcio Lassiter at endgame to frustrate the Hotshots.
But Lee's predicament is beyond his control now.
Until he gets cleared to play, the only thing he can do now is cheer his teammates on from the sidelines.
“Very challenging pero ito 'yung mga bagay na wala akong control,” Lee said.
“Ang pinakamaku-control ko lang is 'yung magpagaling, magpalakas and mag-cheer sa team habang nasa sideline ako.”
Lee needs to recover very soon as Magnolia nosedived to 3-6.