GILAS Pilipinas Head Coach Tab Baldwin’s national training pool lost another player in Paul Lee as the Rain or Shine combo guard officially withdrew from the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) due to a knee injury.
Lee informed Baldwin about his decision on Tuesday during the pool’s workout at the Meralco gymnasium.
The former University of the East standout is fresh from leading the Elasto Painters to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup crown, where he was named the Finals Most Valuable Player.
Lee was actually playing hurt during the finals, as he had a partial tear on his tendon on his left knee. He will undergo a plasma treatment and take a rest that would require at least a month to heal.
“Nakakalungkot pero kailangan mag-skip dahil wala tayong magagawa,” Lee told reporters.
He was the third player to withdraw for the OQT, slated at the Mall of Asia Arena from July 5 to 10. The first two were Ginebra San Miguel 7-foot center Greg Slaughter (ankle) and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser of Tropang TNT (foot).
Baldwin said there’s nothing they can do about Lee’s situation and they have to move on as the Gilas 5 is lagging behind with their preparation for the OQT.
Naturalized player Andray Blatche is scheduled to arrive this coming weekend. The 29-year-old Blatche is still at the United States attending his ailing mom.
Image credits: Nonoy Lacza