By REYNALD MAGALLON
PASSI CITY — The four-point shot might be a new attraction in the PBA All-Star game but Paul Lee is certainly no stranger to it.
And it was pretty obvious how comfortable the talisman from Tondo dropping those bombs from that far having won the three-point shootout two days before the exciting showdown between Team Japeth and Team Scottie on Sunday.
Before an enthralled crowd, Lee made an impressive 7-of-13 shooting from the four-point territory.
He finished with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists to lead Team Japeth to a 140-136 over Team Scottie and en route to his first All-Star MVP.
“Before we start na parang sabi nga nya (coach Tim Cone) na take advantage lang yung situation na iyon na may four points so yung may mga kayang gawin daw okay lang naman daw iyon as long as good shots naman and galing sa play,” said Lee.
“Bago mag-start talagang pinaparaktis ko rin sya pero thankful tayo sa mga teammates natin kasi sila yung naging way bakit dumating sakin yung bola bakit nalibre ako,” explained the Hotshots star who wowed the crowd with his almost unlimited range.
The veteran gunner also admitted that winning the three-point shootout allowed him to get in the zone and somehow get himself accustomed to the distance of the four-point line to the rim.
“May factor din na nanalo ako ng three point shootout nung nakaraan. Siguro may dagdag pakumpyansa din lalo na nung nakakashoot ako sa may malayo na part nagkaroon ako ng idea na kung para saan yung linya nung una kaming nagpunta sa court kaya siguro napaghandaan ko siya,” he recalled.
Lee, however, stressed that such accuracy from that distance isn’t developed overnight and was a product of countless extra hours in the gym.
“Di sya madali kasi 3 4 days ko siya na di nagawa paranf nagbaback to 0 sya so kailangan kung may time talaga everyday madaan ko siya lagi para yung rhythm and muscle memory nandun pa rin. So kailangan mo talaga bigyan ng time,” said Lee.
