Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok ace guard Paul Lee was himself surprised when told that he has already joined the PBA’s exclusive 500 3-point club being its 38th member.
From the outset, he never thought his triple ‘bombs’ would be part of his offensive arsenal.
“Nung college ako… kung maganda gising mga tatlo, apat the tres,” said Lee yesterday. “Pero hindi talaga siya part ng offense ko, more on atake ako sa basket and perimeter jump shot.”
It was with Rain or Shine, his former team that selected him No. 2 overall back in 2011 Rookie Draft, where he developed his three-point shooting under assistant coach Rhoel Nadurata.
The late Nadurata, a long time assistant of coach Yeng Guiao, took a great amount of time sharpening Lee’s shooting as the two started early morning drills during the latter’s rookie season with the Elasto Painters.
“Focus talaga si Tata Rhoel sa akin, utos ni coach Yeng. Ensayo namin noon 10am, 7am pa lang nasa gym na kami para mag-shooting. Sabi niya sa akin noon huwag ko madalin, be patient,” said Lee.
“Kaya ayun nag-bunga naman, through hardwork sabi nga. Kaya na-develop ko ngayon yung three-point shooting. Pero sa totoo lang, nakaka-gulat din na ganun ko kabilis na achieve yung 500 three-point shots… hindi ko yun talaga inaasahan,” added Lee.
When the 6-foot-1 Lee was dealt to Magnolia in 2016, he continued with his morning three-point shooting drills with the help of one of the team’s ‘ball boys’ – Maning Vilbar.
Lee, now on his seventh season in the pro league, said he knows that he needs to continue to find ways to improve his game. While he developed his stoke from the rainbow arc, he has extended his range as he shoots – with ease – about five to six feet away from the line.
