Lee twisted knee, nothing more serious
Rain or Shine guard Paul Lee will miss at least two weeks because of a hyper-extended right knee he suffered in their game against San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup last Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-1 Lee crumbled to the floor when he landed awkwardly after going for a layup against SMB counterpart Chris Ross late in the second period. The fourth year point guard was on the floor wincing in pain while holding his knee for about three minutes before he was carried by teammates to the bench.
The Gilas Pilipinas member was able to walk on his own to the locker room during halftime break and when the teams returned to the floor for the second half. He sat out the rest of the game however.
Rain or Shine lost, 87-79.
Lee, in a text message to Tempo, said yesterday that he already had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which showed no tear on any of the ligaments on his right knee.
“It’s just hyper-extended,” said Lee, who recorded three points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist in five minutes and 23 seconds he was on the floor coming off the bench for Rain or Shine.
According to Jay Legacion, a member of the Rain or Shine coaching staff, it was a good sign when Lee was able to walk – even with a slight limp – on his own when he emerged from the locker room after the game.
“Medyo maga yung tuhod pero mukhang hindi naman grabe kasi Paul was able to put weight on it when he walked. So I think it’s nothing serious. If his body is fast to heal, it might be two weeks or baka wala pa,” said Legacion.
Rain or Shine opened its campaign in the 40th PBA season without guard Chris Tiu, who suffered a left hamstring pull in practice recently and will be out for at least four weeks.
Gabe Norwood was also absent in the first game of Rain or Shine as management allowed him to have a vacation in the US with his family after his Gilas stint.
Norwood came back Tuesday night and is expected to play against expansion team Blackwater tomorrow at the Big Dome.
Meanwhlile, No. 1 draft pick Stanley Pringle shrugged off Globalport’s opening loss to NLEX.
“It was a tough loss,” said Pringle following a disappointing 101-96 defeat to the Road Warriors.
“The good thing about this Globalport team is everybody wants to get back to practice, improve on our game and get that win,” added Pringle, who debuted with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals in 40 minutes.