Inspired by teammates, Paul Lee works to stay in top shape after weight loss

Paul Lee during a PBA media availability inside the PBA Bubble. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Paul Lee used to be one of the burlier guards in the PBA.

Well, not anymore.

Lee shed some weight prior to the Philippine Cup restart and has so far lost 20 pounds a few months after he started his body transformation.

“When I started I was at 215 lbs, then the lightest I got was 188 to 189,” said Lee in Filipino Thursday from Angeles University Foundation during his media availability.

Lee used that slimmer body to help Magnolia run down NLEX in a 103-100 win that saw the Hotshots employ a full court press for much of the second half.

“Now I’m between 191 to 195 lbs so that I have some leeway at least. I even eat a burger at night and I know I won’t have to feel guilty the day after because I know I’ll be burning it,” said Lee who had 18 points in the win as the Hotshots improved to 1-1.

Lee added that it has become a personal mission of his to cut down after getting inspiration from the culture of the Hotshots.

“We’re competing with each other and it’d be shameful if you show up to practice in no condition at all,” said Lee.

The PBA was suspended for seven months due to COVID-19 leaving players to workout on their own for much of the suspension.

It was only in June that the Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases allowed professional football and basketball teams to start practicing but PBA clubs resumed to workout in their respective practice facilities in August.

“You’d be ashamed of yourself if you see Mark Barroca or Jio [Jalalon] and Chris Banchero who came to practice in the right condition,” said Lee. “It starts with the team.”