SOAKING IT ALL IN
It’s very rare that one can get to play under Yeng Guiao and at the same time go under the wings of Chot Reyes.
But for Rain or Shine’s Paul Lee, the experience is just one of those learning curves he is proud to be a part of.
“Nakatulong sa akin ng malaki yung selection sa Gilas,” the Tondo native said. “Nakatulong sya sa akin sa paglalaro as part of a team lalo. Napalalim ng paglalaro ko dun. Kasi sa Gilas talaga, you have to move the ball, hanapin yung teammates mo, mag-set up ng play. Yun yung mas nadagdag sa akin.”
And being under the tutelage of two of the best basketball tacticians in the country, Lee does recognize the importance of putting these lessons to the practice.
“Malaking bagay yung ganung experience kasi yung natututunan ko dito sa Rain or Shine, naaapply ko sa Gilas, at yung natututunan ko sa Gilas, naaapply ko rin dito,” he said. “Marami akong natututunan sa kanila parehas.”
But Lee doesn’t want these to overwhelm him, saying that playing for the Elasto Painters and Gilas is an obligation he has signed up for and a job he is ready to fulfill.
“Nakakatulong man personally sa akin, kailangan dapat ko ring gawin yung trabaho ko dito sa mother team ko, at the same time, dun sa Gilas,” he said.
The former UE Red Warrior added, “Dito naman sa Commissioner’s Cup, tingin ko naman, as long as maglaro kami as a team and we play defense, siguro may chance naman kami.” (RL)
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