Paul Lee takes blame for letting Game 3 slip away from Magnolia

Magnolia star Paul Lee didn’t point any fingers at anyone but to himself following the Hotshots’ heartbreaking 107-103 loss to Barangay Ginebra in Game 3 of their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals series on Wednesday night.

Lee put himself at fault for his costly turnover and missed attempt from way beyond-the-arc inside the last 35 seconds of the game.

“I just took my chance and I missed it. The loss is on me,” Lee told reporters after scoring 17 points. “It’s my responsibility being one of the veterans and especially that coach (Chito Victolero) was thrown out.”

With a chance to regain the lead, Lee threw an errant pass with 33 seconds left that ultimately resulted to Gin Kings guard LA Tenorio sinking the go-ahead floater, 105-103, with 14.9 seconds left.

The Hotshots had another opportunity but Lee opted to take a quick and long triple that barely hit the front of the rim.

Magnolia ended up blowing an 18-point lead while also falling short on its late comeback from 11 points down and Lee feels the Hotshots beat themselves for letting what was supposed to be the series-clinching game slip from their fingertips.

“For me, it was as if we beat ourselves. First, we gave up an offensive rebound to Scottie (Thompson) that tied the game and then, of course my big turnover,” he said.

“But at least, we know how we lost and our approach going into the next game won’t chance. We’ll just keep moving forward.”

Game 4 is on Friday night at Ynares Center in Antipolo.