Photo from https://wuhan2014.fibaasia.net
MANILA, Philippines — Cool, calm and collected, Paul Lee swished three free throws with no time left and the bronze medal on the line before a stunned hostile crowd like pressure didn’t exist.
Lee’s clutch shots lifted the Philippines over host China, 80-79, to bag third place in the 2014 Fiba Asia Cup Saturday at the Wuhan Gymnasium in Wuhan, China.
The 25-year-old guard Lee, who is fighting for a spot in the Fiba World Cup lineup, couldn’t have capped his first international stint any better with the game-winning freebies.
Lee’s buzzer-beating free throws came after China botched two freebies with 6.7 seconds left that would’ve sealed the game with the Chinese up, 79-77.
Ranidel de Ocampo led the Nationals with 18 points while the Rain or Shine guard finished with nine points.
Lee, who hardly showed any emotion after sinking the free throws as he was mobbed by his teammates, led Gilas in scoring in the team’s first four wins.
The Philippines failed to secure a spot in the finals after getting blown out by Iran Friday.
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