Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Paul Lee admitted feeling rusty when he played for the first time in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying his time on the floor.
“Masarap kasi na-feel ko na naman ulit yung pressure sa court na up-and-down,” he said after Rain or Shine’s 108-105 squeaker against San Miguel. “It’s a good game for us. Maganda yung panalo namin and our import played well.”
Admittedly still not 100-percent, the Tondo dribbler acknowledged that he still has to work on his timing.
READ: PBA: Lee leaving his return up to Guiao
“I need to get my timing pa, pero di naman ganong katagal,” said Lee, who only had three points and two assists in his 15-minutes on the floor. “Itong first game ko, mabigat agad ang kalaban. Pero bigla na lang ulit lalabas siguro yung laro ko. At least, I have more time to practice with my team ulit before yung next game namin.”
He added that he feels better with his return this time, in contrast to when he came back in the Philippine Cup semis, where he only lasted for five games.
“Ngayon, medyo nakukuha ko yung full-speed na takbo ko at mabilis yung pag-recover.”
Lee admitted the last time was a bit forced, so he made sure he was ready when he returned to the floor on Friday.
READ: PBA: Charlo stellar in debut as Rain or Shine trips San Miguel
“Pilit talaga yun pero wala naman tayong magagawa kasi kailangan maglaro nung time na yun. Lesson learned. Bakit mo gagawin ulit yung nakasama sa iyo ng una? Kailangan maging maingat ka rin kasi di maganda ang kalalabasan pag naulit ulit.”
Now, the Elasto Painters’ main playmaker said that all of his past worries are behind him.
“Kung ano yung ginagawa ko dati, OK naman na ako. Clear na yung isip ko na wala akong nararamdaman after the game. Doon ko lagi kasi nararamdaman yung masakit sa akin, pagkatapos ng game,” he said. “Ngayon, all good. Maganda na yung pahinga ko.”
And it all just bodes well for Rain or Shine, which stumbled upon a perfect fit of an import in Mo Charlo.
“At least, di ako mahihirapan sa import namin. Maganda yung pakikisama nya sa amin kaya naging maganda ang resulta,” said Lee. “Grabe yung puso nya. Palaban sya at gusto manalo. Kahit nagka-cramps na, gusto pa rin nya maglaro. Magaling sya dumepensa at magaling bumasa din ng depensa. Maganda yun dahil hindi kami mahihirapan sa kanya.”