Paul John Dalistan Lee (born February 14, 1989) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Magnolia Hotshots of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted 2nd overall by Rain or Shine in the 2011 PBA draft. He earned nicknames like Angas ng Tondo and Leethal Weapon.

Paul Lee

Lee in 2022
No. 3 – Magnolia Hotshots
Position	Shooting guard / Point guard
League	PBA
Personal information
Born	(1989-02-14) February 14, 1989 (age 33) Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	San Sebastian College – Recoletos
College	University of the East
PBA draft	2011 Round: 1 / Pick: 2nd overall
Selected by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Playing career	2011–present
Career history
2011–2016	Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
2016–present	Star / Magnolia Hotshots
Career highlights and awards
3× PBA champion (2012 Governors', 2016 Commissioner's, 2018 Governors') PBA Finals MVP (2016 Commissioner's) PBA Best Player of the Conference (2018 Governors') 8× PBA All-Star (2012–2019) 2× PBA Mythical First Team (2015, 2018) 2× PBA Mythical Second Team (2012, 2014) PBA Rookie of the Year (2012) PBA All-Rookie Team (2012) 2× PBA Order of Merit (2015, 2018) PBA Comeback Player of the Year (2015) UAAP Most Improved Player (2009) 2× UAAP Mythical Five (2009, 2010) PBL Best Player of the Conference (2008-09 PG Flex Linoleum Cup) 2× PBL Mythical First Team (2008-09 Season, 2010 PG Flex-Erase Placenta)
Medals Men's Basketball Representing  Philippines FIBA Asia Cup 2014 Wuhan Team

Amateur career

High school

When he was a high school freshman in San Sebastian College – Recoletos, he was discovered when he was playing in the school’s intramurals. The coach spotted him, made him try out and placed him in the lineup the following year. The San Sebastian Staglets would go on to win the NCAA Juniors Championship in his senior year.[1]

College

In 2007, he was recruited by then coach Dindo Pumaren of the University of the East, which at that time had formidable backcourt players like Raphy Reyes, Paul Zamar, James Martinez and Marcy Arellano. His role during that time was with the second squad. He was known as the 6th man, the main replacement for then King Warrior Marcy Arellano. In 2009, his game flourished when Lawrence Chongson took over to coach the team.[2] Chongson later became his adviser, and currently an agent,[3] until his death in 2021.[4][5]

He received the Most Improved Player award in UAAP Season 72.[6] He then became a part of Mythical Team during the UAAP Season 73.

He also played for Cobra Energy Drink Iron Men in the Philippine Basketball League and later in the PBA Developmental League coached by Chongson.

In his last year in UE, he was playing with an injury, but he didn't want anybody to know about it.[7]

Professional career

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2011–2016)

He was picked 2nd overall by Rain or Shine during the 2011 PBA draft.[8] In his PBA debut, Paul Lee recorded 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 25 minutes of playing time on a 107–100 win over the Alaska Aces. [9] The following game, Paul Lee had another strong game having recorded 17 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time in a 100–94 win over the B-Meg Llamados. By the end of the 2011–12 PBA season, he was awarded Rookie of the Year, and won his first ever PBA championship with the Elasto Painters, though he did not play in the championship series due to injury.

In 2014, he requested the Rain or Shine management to trade him by personally calling up coach Yeng Guiao.[10] However, Guiao and the Rain or Shine management are hell bent on keeping him at all cost. After Lee returned from Spain following his Gilas stint in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he went to a sabbatical by not showing up to Rain or Shine practice or even talking to the media, creating speculations of him pushing through signing up with another team. A few days later, he finally showed up, and after a heart-to-heart talk with coach Yeng Guiao, he finally decided to stay with the Elasto Painters.[11] On September 19, 2014, he, together with his agent Lawrence Chongson, signed a 2-year max deal to stay with Rain or Shine.[12]

Magnolia Star Hotshots (2016–present)

On October 13, 2016, Paul Lee was sent to Star Hotshots on a blockbuster trade in exchange for star shooting guard James Yap in one of the biggest deal in PBA history that led to shocking reactions from basketball fans.

PBA career statistics

As of the end of 2021 season[13][14]

Season-by-season averages

National team career

Lee was officially included in the roster that competed in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.[15] He also led the team to a bronze medal finish in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup after converting three crucial free-throws with no time remaining against host China.[16][17][18]

References