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| Paul Lee's game-winner was reminiscent of his heroics in 2016 when he was still with ROS. PBA Media Group |
MANILA--Paul Lee scored on a mid-range jumper from the right side to give Magnolia a 79-78 win over Alaska in Game 5 of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, specifically at the Smart logo.
Looks familiar?
Lee once broke the Aces' hearts from about the same spot two years ago in a PBA finals, and Coach Alex Compton was quick to notice that.
"I don’t know, guys, if you remember Game 2 versus Rain or Shine--that was with Rob Dozier, so that was the Commissioner's Cup--back when they beat us in the finals. Paul hit a buzzer-beater at almost the exact same spot," said Compton.
That turned out to be one of Lee's last great moments as an Elasto Painter as the following offseason, he was traded to the Hotshots for James Yap.
[Related Story: THURSDAY TRADE THRILLER | Yap, Lee swap kits in big-time ROS-Star trade]
But even if he is now with the Purefoods franchise, Lee remained a threat in the clutch, eventually helping the team make the finals twice this season.
"I'm gonna have to put something slippery on the floor for the endgame with Paul if he plays again," Compton jokingly said.
Lee's game-winner was part of a wild finish that saw the lead actually switching hands within the dying moments.
"That's an instant classic," Compton continued.
It would have been even wilder had Mike Harris made his own corner jumper from the small logo at the buzzer.
"I haven't seen Mike's last shot if he had a good look at it or not, but we got the ball at the right guy's hands. It's a good pass by Chris [Banchero]," Compton further said, implying that the last play was indeed designed for Harris.
But for the former Metropolitan Basketball Association star, Harris' miss was not the main reason why Alaska lost.
"If you will ask me, we lost in the first half. We did not have what we showed in the second half," Compton cited one reason, pertaining to Magnolia getting better shots to take a 53-40 halftime lead.
While he lauded the Aces' "phenomenal" third quarter, he also rued that they could finish the Hotshots off thanks to the 50-50 balls.
"They beat us to loose balls and got the ball, and that's something that can't happen. I think if we get a couple of loose balls, we win the game," Compton added.
Lee's game-winner came right after he picked up the ball just as Harris blocked a struggling Romeo Travis, beating Kevin Racal to it.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
That turned out to be one of Lee's last great moments as an Elasto Painter as the following offseason, he was traded to the Hotshots for James Yap.
[Related Story: THURSDAY TRADE THRILLER | Yap, Lee swap kits in big-time ROS-Star trade]
But even if he is now with the Purefoods franchise, Lee remained a threat in the clutch, eventually helping the team make the finals twice this season.
"I'm gonna have to put something slippery on the floor for the endgame with Paul if he plays again," Compton jokingly said.
Lee's game-winner was part of a wild finish that saw the lead actually switching hands within the dying moments.
"That's an instant classic," Compton continued.
It would have been even wilder had Mike Harris made his own corner jumper from the small logo at the buzzer.
"I haven't seen Mike's last shot if he had a good look at it or not, but we got the ball at the right guy's hands. It's a good pass by Chris [Banchero]," Compton further said, implying that the last play was indeed designed for Harris.
But for the former Metropolitan Basketball Association star, Harris' miss was not the main reason why Alaska lost.
"If you will ask me, we lost in the first half. We did not have what we showed in the second half," Compton cited one reason, pertaining to Magnolia getting better shots to take a 53-40 halftime lead.
While he lauded the Aces' "phenomenal" third quarter, he also rued that they could finish the Hotshots off thanks to the 50-50 balls.
"They beat us to loose balls and got the ball, and that's something that can't happen. I think if we get a couple of loose balls, we win the game," Compton added.
Lee's game-winner came right after he picked up the ball just as Harris blocked a struggling Romeo Travis, beating Kevin Racal to it.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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