MANILA – The postponement of the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup matches was a welcome relief for Magnolia Hotshots guard Paul Lee.
Hotshots head coach Chito Victolero stated that the unexpected break caused by the National Capital Region’s inclusion in the enhanced community quarantine allowed Lee to rest his injury without missing a game.
The 32-year-old cager sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of Hotshots’ 105-83 domination over Terrafirma Dyip last July 30 that sidelined the veteran guard for the remainder of that game.
“It is not a major injury at napagaling niya mabuti,” according to Victolero. “Nakapahinga ‘yung hamstring niya tapos nagawa niya ‘yung strengthening niya. Right now, he is ready for court practice.”
The former University of the East Red Warriors star was a vital cog for the Hotshots in the early goings of the All-Filipino conference as they remained on top of the standings with a 4-0 win-loss slate.
In four games with Magnolia this conference, the former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay averaged 16.00 points, 2.25 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.50 steals, and 0.25 blocks in almost 26.20 minutes of action.
Aside from Lee, also taking advantage of the league postponement is Filipino-American point guard Justin Melton, who has yet to play for the Hotshots this conference due to a minor hamstring injury.
“Si Justin babalik na siya and mag-eensayo na rin siya. Hopefully, he will be ready by the next game,” said Victolero. “Nakuha nya ‘yung injury sa practice bago pa man ‘yung first game namin, and he underwent two weeks of recovery.”
Melton, a four-time PBA champion (including a Grand Slam in 2014 under then-head coach Tim Cone) with the Hotshots, was one of the key contributors for Magnolia in the previous seasons with his offense and defense./PN
