Unless Paul Lee gets to ink a new pact with any team, the 6-foot Rain or Shine point guard—also because of a foot injury—is thinking of not suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Incheon Asian Games later this month.
This was intimated to the Inquirer by one of Lee’s teammates in the national team that won its first game in the World Cup in four decades in Spain. Lee, the teammate said, wants security for his family.
The teammate, who asked not to be named, added Lee might sign up with Rain or Shine ultimately, play for a conference or so when the 40th PBA season open on Oct. 19, before demanding a trade.
“I can understand how he feels,” said the teammate, a veteran of the league. “I share his sentiment, and I told him that everything comes in due time.”
Lee, through his agent, Lawrence Chongson, had demanded a trade while Gilas Pilipinas was out of the country preparing for the World Cup.
That, despite the maximum P15.12 million, three-year extension that the Elasto Painters have put on the table.
Several board members, who made the trip to Spain to watch the Nationals, have said that the ploy of Lee’s camp left a bad taste in the mouth and that “it was mishandled and mishandled a lot.”
Lee, the former Rookie of the Year who had helped Rain or Shine win its first title and post several strong second place finishes, went through the month-long preparations of the Gilas five and sustained a heel injury in one of their exhibition matches.
Gilas starts preparations for the Asiad on Sept. 12 though the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is contemplating on withdrawing because the Andray Blatche eligibility case has dragged on for quite sometime now, with signs pointing to the organizing committee holding its ground.
After an 81-79 overtime victory over Senegal, Lee planed for home the following day together with several Gilas members but has not yet practiced with the Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine, coach Yeng Guiao said in an earlier interview, would be willing to let go of Lee as long as they can get a trade that would be commensurate to the talent of the former University of the East ace.
“A franchise player for a franchise player,” Guiao told the Inquirer just after the trade demand was sent by Chongson through text messages to media.