Can’t be jitters. Could it be Paul Lee was trying too hard? Maybe got a little too excited?
Whatever, the versatile guard was not in his best element in his debut with Star as the Hotshots lost to San Miguel Beer at the opening of the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While Lee came through with 12 points and 10 rebounds, he had career-high nine turnovers in Star’s 96-88 loss to the June Mar Fajardo-powered San Miguel.
“First time na nangyari sa akin… yan ang pinaka-marami ko ever since… kahit college pa,” said Lee, who was obtained by Star in a one-on-one blockbuster trade with Rain or Shine for James Yap.
“Parang nagmamadali ako kanina, sobrang excited yata,” said the six-year veteran Lee, conceding that he felt like a rookie again in his first game with his second PBA team.
Overall, the Hotshots committed 30 turnovers, which SMB translated into 29 points.
“Kung na-limit lang namin (turnovers), baka iba yung istorya ng game,” said Lee as he played 33 minutes for new Star mentor Chito Victolero, who replaced head coach Jason Webb.
“Next time, pag nakapag-adjust. Hindi naman makikita sa one game lang yan. Andyan naman yung patience ng buong team at ni coach Chito,” added Lee.
As for Victolero, he said that it’s not just Lee but the whole team that has to make adjustment.
“I talked to the team and told them that it’s a process and it’s about chemistry,” Victolero. “Meron talagang game na dadating yan because new system, new coach, new players, talagang lalabas yun.”
“Ang maganda lang is alam namin ang mali namin, madali ayusin yan. I’m happy actually. So it’s over, tapos na yun.
Even Paul knows, at naniniwala kami sa kanya,” added Victolero. (Waylon Galvez)
