Paul Lee, barring any unforeseen development, will sign a fresh three-year pact worth the maximum P15.12 million with Rain or Shine today before he leaves with the Gilas Pilipinas squad for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Lee and agent Lawrence Chongson are expected at Rain or Shine’s Pasig City offices to sign the deal and end what had been weeks of messy developments surrounding the former Rookie of the Year’s future.
“I am happy that this is over and done with,” the 25-year-old Lee said in Filipino as he officially joins the long list of PBA superstar millionaires. “Coach (Yeng Guiao) also told me that everything will be well again in the team after I sign.”
Rain or Shine had prepared for Lee’s departure by picking former Letran superstar point guard Kevin Alas second overall in the last Rookie Draft, and Lee’s change of heart has made the Elasto Painters guard-heavy.
The brouhaha started when Chongson sent text messages to media informing Lee of his desire to leave Rain or Shine despite the offer of the maximum allowable extension on the table.
That created a stir in the PBA with commissioner Chito Salud on Tuesday afternoon warning player-agents to, in the future, look after the welfare of their players because the league would be protecting the rights of the mother teams more than anything.
Lee will be joining Gilas Pilipinas in Incheon, South Korea, as the Filipinos try to snap a 52-year gold medal drought in basketball.
He also said that he has learned from this experience and would gladly advise fellow players on what to do.
“Sometimes, it comes to the careers of players,” Lee said. “Good thing that it happened to me this early in my career. Next time, I’ll know what to do and I can share it with the next generation of players.”