Paul Lee averts major injury, back for next game

MANILA, Philippines – Just 4 days since his return from a hyperextended right knee, Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee had an injury scare Sunday, November 2 when he was kneed on his right shin in the team’s lopsided 99-76 loss to Talk ‘N Text.

Lee averted major injury and said all he is dealing with is swelling on his shin. He will not miss any games.

“Natuhod lang ako sa shin and medyo namamaga lang. Pero okay lang,” Lee assured after the game. “Same sa right din pero buti hindi sa tuhod.” (I just got kneed on the shin so it’s swelling. But I’m okay. It’s the same right leg but thankfully it’s not my knee.) 

There was a collective gasp inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum at the sight of Lee down on the court and grimacing in pain once again early in the third period. 

He managed to get back up and was escorted to the bench where his shin was immediately iced. But he did not return to the game anymore.

“Nagsabi naman ako na okay ako,” Lee said, “pero ganoon talaga eh.” (I told them I was okay but it is what it is.)

Yet again, Paul Lee is down. #pba2015 pic.twitter.com/A44MbYZUzE

— Jane Bracher (@janebracher) November 2, 2014

The 25-year old combo guard finished with 8 points on 3-of-4 field goals in 14 minutes on the floor.

Head coach Yeng Guiao refused to blame the loss on Lee’s injury, saying it was the team’s job to make adjustments accordingly. 

“We don’t want to use that as an excuse. With or without Gabe (Norwood), Chris Tiu or Ryan (Araña), that’s the reason you have 14 players para pagka may nai-injure, may pang-laban ka pa rin (so if someone gets injured, you still have somebody to use),” Guiao explained. 

“So we expect na kung mayroon mangyayaring ganoon, dapat lumalaban din yung the rest. Perhaps they should be even more motivated.”

(So we expect that whenever something like that happens, the rest should battle on.) 

He added, “Ever since kapag natatalo kami na may kulang samin hindi namin sinasabi na dahil wala yung player na yun.”

(Ever since, whenever we lose while missing a player, we don’t say that it’s because we didn’t have that player.) 

Rain or Shine, who fell to 2-2 after Sunday’s defeat, will next face Barako Bull on Friday, November 7. – Rappler.com