Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The way Paul Lee carried Rain or Shine in the first two games of the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup Finals, Alaska head coach Alex Compton feels the star guard has played the role of the Elasto Painters’ import.
Lee’s numbers aren’t surprising by his standards, but what makes it more impressive is the timing of his baskets.
“They’re good. Paul’s played like he’s their import,” said Compton after the Aces’ 105-103 loss in Game 2 last Sunday where Lee made a buzzer-beating jumper. “He’s made those plays late,” said Compton of Lee, who is averaging 18.5 points per game.
Actually, in Game 2, Lee scored nine of Rain or Shine’s last 11 points in the final four minutes and 34 seconds, including a three-point play against Alaska import Rob Dozier that gave the Painters a 103-99 cushion with only a little over a minute left.
That was after delivering the dagger triple with under a minute remaining that sealed his team’s 105-97 victory in the Finals opener en route to a 20-point night.
Compton, though, couldn’t help but see the positive in Lee’s explosion when he looks at it as a national team coach.
But Compton wishes Lee would save some of his heroics for the Olympic Qualifiers in July.
“The only good thing I’d take out of this game is, as Gilas coach, if Paul and Jeff (Chan) can play that way that’s good for us, but I sure wish they would save it for the international competition,” said Compton, who also serves as an assistant coach with Gilas Pilipinas.
“I’d like them to get all their misses out in this series so they’re really ready to go in the Olympic qualifier,” Compton added.
The Aces are determined to avoid a 0-3 hellhole on Wednesday, but to do so, they will have to find an answer for Lee.
RJ Jazul, one of the several players tasked to defend Lee, admitted there is no way to completely stop him.
“Dapat i-pickup namin talaga siya from backcourt pero kasi kahit ano namang gawin mo, nakaka-score pa rin siya,” said Jazul, who had a terrific Game 2 with 24 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range.
“Parang siya yung player na hindi mo mapipigilan. Ang magagawa mo lang, i-contain, i-limit yung touches niya.”
The way Lee has been playing, the Aces will need a lot of luck.