PBA: Paul Lee stays confident despite Magnolia’s 0-3 record

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Magnolia Hotshots guard Paul Lee. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines-Paul Lee is no longer struggling with Magnolia’s narrow loss to San Miguel on Sunday night.

And for good reason.

“We can’t do anything anymore. We’ve lost. It’s time to focus on the next game because that’s what’s important for us – the next [match]”he told reporters shortly after losing 100-98 at the hands of brother company San Miguel Beer at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Lee actually had reason to be angry about the failed event, which could have given the club its first win in the Governor’s Cup.

He had 19 points in the outing to pace all Hotshots, and thought a tightly contested three-point attempt would have changed the outcome.

But he had let it all go.

“As the coach (Chito Victolero) said before, he couldn’t have asked for more. Until the end, the team didn’t give up. We gave everything, but we just failed, so now we have to move on and advance to the next game,” he said.

Magnolia has lost three straight games now to open its campaign in the conference finals of the season, but that has hardly shaken Lee’s confidence in his team.

Hotshots, after all, are already in this type of bond.

It can be recalled that Magnolia lost their first three encounters in the Philippine Cup 2019. The Hotshots managed to sort it out and then enter the championship series, setting up a showdown against eventual winners San Miguel Beer.

“That’s what coach Chito told us: We still have a lot of games,” Lee said.

“It will be difficult for us if we land in the second loss to beat (in the playoffs). But regardless, the important thing is that we try to make it. And if we get the second loss to beat, then we have to work hard.

Lee feels it will be different for Magnolia if Ian Sangalang is healthy: “We all know who he is and what he can bring to the team.”

“We couldn’t find anyone to see under the basket. But there’s nothing we can do about his condition but pray and hope he recovers quickly.

“And I hope they can help again,” he said.

Magnolia will try to finally get on the board in the win column against Phoenix this Saturday.

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