Paul Lee named week’s best in PBA

Paul Lee’s breakthrough year (Photo courtesy of Interaksyon)

MANILA — Following his inclusion to the starting lineup the last two games, Rain or Shine’s combo guard Paul Lee has taken his game a notch higher.

The Rain or Shine gunner saved his best for last after scoring eight of his team’s last 13 points to lead the Elasto Painters to a 96-91 escape act against the NLEX Road Warriors.

He finished with 25 points, four rebounds and three assists in that game to earn Best Player honors.

Lee, then reprised his heroic role three days later, rescuing Rain or Shine from the jaws of defeat by nailing five crucial foul throws in the dying seconds to lift the Elasto Painters to a thrilling 104-98 win over the Terrence Romeo-led GlobalPort side.

Again, the star guard from Tondo shone brightly for Rain or Shine, finishing with 25 points and grabbing five rebounds, while making all 10 of his free throws.

Lee’s huge impact earned him the hands-down choice Accel-PBA Press Corps. Player of the week for the period of Feb. 2-8.

More importantly, Rain or Shine registered its first back-to-back wins since opening the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with an 89-86 loss to Talk ‘N Text.

The sweet-shooting guard out of the University of the East averaged 25.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists, while shooting at a high 57.1 percent from the field and going for a perfect 16-of-16 from the foul line overall.

Lee said he had it in mind to make an instant impact as a starter, aware that Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao wanted him to be pro-active in leading his team early in the tournament.

“It’s always a big challenge for me every time coach Yeng Guiao put me in starting line-up,” he said.

Rain or Shine will try to close in among the early leaders in the standings when it clashes with unbeaten Meralco on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.