Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — With a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup semifinal slot at stake, Paul Lee shook off a left ankle sprain he sustained two days ago and played through pain on Saturday (June 27).
“Wala akong magagawa, playoffs na. Ayokong maging pabigat sa team,” said Lee.
But Lee didn’t look like he was suffering from the injury.
In fact, it was the “Lee-thal Weapon” who led Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to a rousing 134-132 double overtime win over Barako Bull Energy Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Rain or Shine will head to the penultimate stage thanks to Lee’s game-winning bank shot against 7-foot giant Liam McMorrow in the waning seconds.
Lee finished with 23 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the three-point area to lead the Elasto Painters, but he deflected credit.
“Pinakita lang ng buong team yung poise namin,” said Lee. “Nag-focus kami as a team kasi alam naming delikado ang Barako.”
He was right about Barako Bull.
The Energy, who trailed by as much as 25 points, actually turned a catch-up game into a nip-and-tuck battle that needed two extra periods to determine the winner.
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao admitted his team fell prey to a “mental trap” for a while and allowed the Energy to close in.
“We played a good first quarter but they ate up the lead slowly. Barako Bull really gave us a hard time” said Guiao.
Nonetheless, the lawmaker-coach is happy his team will advance to the next round.
