Painters’ Paul Lee regains old form at right time

Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

What a time for Paul Lee to perform at his best.

Bucking injury woes that haunted him this season, Lee showed the way, pouring 10 of his 18 points in the pivotal second period to help Rain or Shine pull away for a 124-99 rout over San Miguel to advance to the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

“Happy,” the Gilas Pilipinas star said. “Buwenas kasi akalain mo na dito pa lumabas yung best game ko. Happy lang na ganun yung nilaro ko. Pero hindi lang naman ako eh. Buong team, talagang binuhos lahat para manalo.”

Lee is hopeful that he’ll be able to sustain his form in the championship round, where Rain or Shine will take on either Meralco or Alaska in a best-of-seven series.

“Siguro papunta na dun yung laro ko. Happy din ako na nagpi-peak yung laro ko, lalo na at papunta sa Finals kaya mas okay,” he said.

And Lee is positive that this time, the championship will be theirs for the taking, as he sees this Finals appearance as Rain or Shine’s best chance to give the franchise its second hardware.

“Panigurado, hindi lang para sa akin, pero best chance ito para sa aming lahat,” said Lee.

He is also upbeat that after three tries in the last three seasons, Rain or Shine will finally nab the championship in its fourth try.

“Sobrang tagal na rin. Ang dami na naming championships na pinaglaruan at di nakuha,” said Lee. “Dapat pagtrabahuan na namin kasi ang hirap kung mag-start na naman ng regular season, quarters, semis. Mahirap makarating dito. Hopefully, makuha na namin.”