Magnolia team and import Tyler Bey have fun after Paul Lee’s clutch three in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines—In a neck-and-neck showdown against Phoenix in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals, Magnolia turned to none aside from Paul Lee to bail them out of danger.
It was no surprise that Lee, who has an extended list of clutch shots to his name, nailed the three-point bomb to maintain the pesky Fuel Masters at bay, 81-76, with 55.4 seconds left in the sport.
Magnolia import Tyler Bey, who finished with a double-double of 25 points and 12 rebounds, needed not to have a look at the results of the veteran guard’s clutch shot.
“I already knew it was moving into,” said the import at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday after their 82-78 win. “That’s just Paul. He already knows that when he gets the shot, he’ll take it and make it. That’s why I like it.”
Lee only had six points within the win that pushed the Hotshots to a win away from the PBA Finals, but his bucket got here on the timeliest of times for Magnolia. In truth, the streaky shooter had gone 1-of-4 before his late triple.
But when coach Chito Victolero had anything to say about it, he didn’t doubt Lee one bit. That’s what eight years of familiarity get you.
“I actually have known Paul for eight years now and I do know he can hit any shot. He made quite a lot of shots in our previous games. He made those against Ginebra, NLEX and more. Even in his Rain or Shine days, he’s already like that,” said Victolero.
“And people shots, he practices those. Each day, he’s within the gym or court and he’ll practice those shots… Even ones from 35 feet away from the basket.”
Despite the close win, though, the Victokero believes there’s no room for a similar situation in Game 3.
“That’ll be the toughest game, the closeout game. I’ve been here before and I feel we’d like to lock in now. we don’t have to have fun, we haven’t achieved anything. We just try to arrange again and check out to observe the film on how they got here back on that double digit lead.”
The Hotshots look to shut out the series on Sunday at the identical venue at 3 pm.
