Game today:
Araneta Coliseum
6:45 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. B-Meg
One would think that Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao would be a bit worried with the news that the team’s rookie sensation Paul Lee will be out for the remainder of the PBA Governors’ Cup finals series against B-Meg.
But Guiao sees things a bit differently. “We will win this series, with our without Paul Lee,” said the Rain or Shine mentor shortly after the team’s 80-85 Game 2 loss last Wednesday night that tied the best-of-seven series at 1-all.
Lee was lifted off the court in the final 2:22 of Game 2 after he aggravated a dislocated left shoulder. In a pba.ph report, Lee is expected to be out for the remainder of the series and will be operated on Aug. 6.
“Lee is definitely out Friday. He can play on Sunday, but Rain or Shine will not risk it,” said Rain or Shine representative to the PBA Board and current league chairman Mert Mondragon.
And while most would also think that B-Meg coach Tim Cone would see Lee’s absence as an advantage, the veteran mentor thinks otherwise.
“If Lee doesn’t play, that puts a lot of pressure on us. It makes us the heavy favorites and that could be difficult from a psychological standpoint,” said Cone, whose squad has lost to the Elasto Painters three times in four meetings so far this conference.