Paul Lee honored with Best Player of the Conference Award

FILE: “Your 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference, Paul Lee of Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok!” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

Twenty-nine-year-old Magnolia Hotshot Paul Lee has been playing in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for seven years, but for the first time in his career, he receives his first major individual award — Best Player of the Conference (BPC) for the 2018 PBA Governor’s Cup.

Although he was not the highest on the stat sheets, the 6-foot cager from Tondo edged out fellow pros Chris Banchero of Alaska, Christian Standhardinger of San Miguel, Stanley Pringle of NorthPort, and Japeth-Aguilar of Ginebra for the top spot, tallying up a score of 1,013 in media votes, PBA votes, and player votes amidst statistical votes. During the semifinals, he averaged 31.64 statistical points, with 17.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Banchero followed in a distant second place at 753 points, Standhardinger at 659 points, Pringle at 520, and Aguilar at 398.

This is the first time in eight years that a Magnolia player is taking home the BPC award after James Yap in 2010. The last award Paul Lee received from the league was Rookie of the Year back in 2012.

Last Wednesday, December 12 was also a special night for Alaska Aces import Mike Harris, who beat out Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra, Allen Durham of Meralco and Finals opponent Romeo Travis of Magnolia for the Best Import of the Conference (BIC) award. Besides being top in the league for rebounds, he also averaged 29.82 points, 21.73 rebounds, and 13.6 blocks per game, which contributed greatly to the Aces’ appearance in the finals. Harris totalled 1209, receiving most of the media and players votes, followed by Travis with only 914, Brownlee with 679, and Durham at 541.

Both Lee and Harris will try to continue to contribute for their teams as Magnolia and Alaska go head-to-head for the best-of-seven finals, both teams currently at a 2-2 standing, for Game 4 on Friday, December 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.