SPORTS | Paul Lee named PBA Player of the Week

Paul Lee is the PBA Player of the Week. Josh Albelda, ABSCBNSports

MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia guard Paul Lee earned the PBA Player of the Week award after steering the Hotshots to back-to-back wins in the Philippine Cup.

The veteran guard got off to an explosive start, averaging 17 points, 4.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in their first two games of the year, both of which were comfortable wins for the Hotshots.

The Hotshots opened the brand new year by hammering hapless Kia Picanto, 124-77, last Wednesday with Lee catching fire behind his strong third-quarter offensive.

Lee, who went through surgery in the offseason to repair his left knee, fired all of 13 points in the third quarter, as Magnolia turned the tables against Kia.

The 28-year-old “Angas ng Tondo” also made his presence felt in other departments, adding four assists and three blocks.

Experience GT&T's Affordable Hong Kong Packages

Four days later, the sweet-shooting Lee upped the ante of his offense, firing 21 points, spiked by four triples in the Hotshots’ domination of the Road Warriors.

Although NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena won his personal duel against Lee with a PBA career-high 31 points, the former University of the East star made the biggest baskets in the second half as Magnolia improved to 3-1.

Lee scored 12 points in the third canto, which saw Magnolia assert its dominance before holding off NLEX’s fourth-quarter stand.

The Magnolia guard beat Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, Vic Manuel and Chris Banchero; GlobalPort guard Stanley Pringle, Blackwater big man JP Erram and Mac Belo, as well as San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos for the weekly citation.