MAGNOLIA needs the warrior in Paul Lee more then ever.
Down 1-2 in their best-of-seven championship tilt against San Miguel in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup, the Hotshots can’t afford to lose another key player in the series.
There’s a concern in the Magnolia camp about Lee’s availability for the rest of the series as he injured his middle and index fingers in his right hand in Game 3 Sunday night.
However, Lee, the warrior that he is, already assured his team that he will continue fighting in this critical juncture.
The former University of the East Warrior said that though his fingers are banged up and hurting, he will most certainly play the rest of the way as the Hotshots badly need him and his services, being one of the team’s top guns.
“Ready ako, laban lang. Balewala na ito,” said Lee. “Na-jam ko pagsundot pero hindi ko na muna ‘to iindahin. Kailangan namin manalo na ulit.”
Magnolia can’t afford to lose any more wards as it is already undermanned with key players Justin Melton and Marc Pingris already out for the series.
After staying within striking distance through three quarters in Game 3, the Hotshots got blown out by the sizzling San Miguel Beermen in the payoff period.
The three-time defending champion fired from all cylinders and dealt Magnolia a 111-87 drubbing to take a vital 2-1 edge.
Still, all is not lost for Magnolia as it is still very much in the thick of things.
However, Lee and the Hotshots need to find their touch sooner rather than later to give themselves a chance at the title against the mighty Beermen.
Game 4 is scheduled tomorrow, where Magnolia is facing a must-win situation.