Next man up for Rain or Shine as injuries pile up

Paul Lee vs San Miguel defense. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

With Jericho Cruz sustaining a hyperextended left leg on Saturday, Paul Lee believes that a banged up Rain or Shine squad is still capable of pulling it through against a mighty San Miguel crew.

Echoing Yeng Guiao’s statement that the Elastopainter is a team “designed for others to step up,” Lee believes that someone else will rise for the team.

“Di naman siguro magiging problem sa amin yun dahil pag may nawawala, kailangan talaga may mag-step up,” the Tondo dribbler said on the heels of the Elasto Painters’ 111-106 Game 3 victory in Saturday to tilt the series’ favor to their side.

Cruz went down with the injury late in the game after a collision with Marcio Lassiter sent him spilling to the sidelines. He joins Raymond Almazan, who sprained his right ankle on Friday, on the team’s injury list.

Still, Lee is confident that Rain or Shine has prepared itself well in case these bumps happen.

“Nung ako yung wala, sila yung nag-step up para sa akin. Big loss sila. Nung pagbalik ko, kumpleto kami.
Tapos bigla na-sprain kahapon si Raymond at ngayon, si Jericho. Aksidente yun at di natin gusto mangyari,” he said. “Kailangan lang namin mag-play hard and team effort. Kailangan magtulong-tulong especially na kulang kami ngayon.”

Lee knows that only team effort can help them get a pivotal 3-1 edge in the series amid all the injuries.

“Kailangan naman namin punuan yung contribution nila. Kailangan lang namin mag-step up lahat para makuha yung Game 4.”