Paul Lee wins second PBAPC Player of the Week
Paul Lee registered his second Cignal-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award after leading Magnolia to back-to-back victories en route to securing a playoff spot in the Commissioner’s Cup.
With the team in need of wins to secure a playoff spot, the 29-year-old Lee stepped up his performance, averaging 17.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds in Magnolia’s victories over NLEX, 116-89 and defending champion San Miguel Beer, 101-97.
The “Angas ng Tondo” banged in 21 points, lacing that with five three-pointers, to go along with four rebounds and six assists as the Pambansang Manok cruised past the Road Warriors.
Three days later, the former PBA Rookie of the Year fired 14 points, issued five assists and grabbed four boards in securing the all-important win against the Beermen.
Magnolia wound up tied with sister teams Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel for fifth to seventh spots with identical 6-5 records. However, the Pambansang Manok had to settle for the no. 7 seeding in the playoffs owing to an inferior quotient.
Magnolia, thus faces second-ranked Alaska in the quarterfinals with the wards of Chito Victolero needing to win twice to advance to the semis.
Lee bested teammate Mark Barroca, Vic Manuel of Alaska, Scottie Thompson of Ginebra, TNT forward Troy Rosario and San Miguel stars June Mar Fajardo as well as Arwind Santos.
