PBA guard Paul Lee. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
BACOLOD CITY—Paul Lee would rather be casual than pressure himself in trying to replicate what he had done in last year’s PBA All-Star Weekend.
“Enjoy, enjoy lang tayo,” said Lee, who was the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player from the previous edition and the defending champion of the three-point shootout.
The Magnolia star was the star of stars in the previous edition of the annual extravaganza held in Passi City, Iloilo, topping all comers in the long-distance contest before capitalizing on the special four-point line in leading Team Japeth to victory over Team Scottie.
READ: PBA: Paul Lee looks forward to All-Filipino Cup after stinging loss in Finals
Many expect him to at least put on a show this weekend here, particularly in the three-point shootout. Lee, however, prefers to copy what NBA three-point king Damian Lillard did recently.
“I guess I’m going to do what Lillard did by just going there to compete,” said Lee in Filipino. “I’m not going to pressure myself because if it worked for Dame, maybe it would work for me. I guess I just have to go there and compete.”
He’ll have some stiff competition in two-time winner James Yap of Blackwater and San Miguel Beer’s Marcio Lassiter, who made it to the finals last year only to fall short to Lee.
READ: Team Japeth, Team Barroca vow competitive PBA All-Star game
Other participants are Ginebra’s Maverick Ahanmisi, Converge’s Alec Stockton, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, NLEX’s Robbie Herndon, NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino, Phoenix’s Kenneth Tuffin, Rain or Shine’s Andrei Caracut, Terrafirma’s Javi Gomez de Liano and TNT’s Calvin Oftana.
Lee made seven shots from the special four-point line, and he’s out to make more at University of St. La Salle Coliseum for the All-Star Game.
It’s no stranger that Lee keeps on working on perfecting his ability to hit threes from beyond the 22-foot line.
“It’s normal for me to hit those long shots and I just took advantage of that rule,” said Lee.
Lee was one of the 24 players voted by the fans to participate in the exhibition classic, marking the 10th time he’ll don an All-Star Game jersey.
“I think one of the signs of my hardwork is that the fans still appreciate you,” said Lee.