“DI KAMI PWEDENG MAG-RELAX” – LEE
A sure win that almost turned into a heartbreaking loss.
That’s what Rain or Shine had to deal with, blowing a 29-point third quarter cushion before escaping with a slim 106-102 win over NLEX.
And for one of coach Yeng Guiao’s vital cogs, it’s a lesson learned for Rain or Shine as it braces for the Governors’ Cup playoffs.
“Wag lang maging kumpyansa. Maganda na sana yung game namin pero pagpalit ng tao, medyo nagrelax kami as a team. Nagkaroon ng momentum yung NLEX, nahirapan na kami pigilan. Buti naka-survive kami,” said Paul Lee.
Lee had 13 of his 20 points in the third quarter when the E-Painters built their seemingly insurmountable lead.
But the Road Warriors rallied back and even tied the game at 91 late in the final period.
The Tondo court general admitted that victories such as this are the ones that builds the team’s character as the tourney approaches the homestretch of the eliminations.
“Siguro okay na nangyari din yun. Nakita yung character ng team. Kahit paano, nasurvive namin yung ganung game. Pero medyo maganda rin kasi going to the next game, alam naming di kami pwedeng mag-relax,” Lee said, noting the crucial game between Rain or Shine and Star on Saturday.
At 4-4, the E-Painters have now recovered from their early missteps and racked up three straight Ws. But the streak won’t matter much to Lee if Rain or Shine can’t get to where it wants to be.
“One game at a time pa rin. Importante yung game namin sa Saturday at kailangan naming makuha yun. Yun siguro yung pinakamabigat na game namin kung gusto namin umabot sa top four,” he said.
Lee continued, “Basta trabaho lang kami, tulong-tulong as a team, kaya pa namin umabot sa top four. Kailangan lang namin to trust one another. Kailangan namin sumunod sa gameplan ni coach Yeng kung gusto namin umabot sa twice-to-beat.” (RL)
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
