Lee sits out rest of semis Game 2 after recurrence of knee injury

PBA
By Ivan Saldajeno

STA. ROSA, Laguna--The ghost of the past haunted Paul Lee in a very untimely manner.

Lee aggravated the slight meniscus tear that he had in his left knee early into Game 2 of the PBA Governors' Cup semifinals between Star and Meralco at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Tuesday night.

"Nag-quick move ako. Then naramdaman ko talaga. Nag-ask ako kaagad ng sub kay Coach Chito [Victolero]," Lee, who checked out for good with a little over eight minutes left in the first quarter, bared how the pain returned after the game.

He further revealed that the injury actually recurred as early as Game 1 on Sunday night in Biñan.

"Pinilit ko last game. Nilaro ko lang, pero di na talaga kaya," Lee continued, which somehow explained why he had to resort on three-point shooting late into the semis opener. "Tinanong ko sa physical therapist namin, 'Bakit ganoon?' Sabi niya, 'Expect na natin yan kasi meron ka pa ring slight tear sa meniscus.'"

Lee also said that he took the Monday off to rest his injured knee.

Meanwhile, Victolero revealed that we may have seen the last of Lee this season.

"Paul is out for the series," said Victolero, whose Hotshots squad is now at the brink of elimination with a 74-98 loss to the Bolts.


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