Rookie Paul Lee leads Rain or Shine to one-point victory over Ginebra

Rookie Paul Lee showed exactly what he could do, but Rain or Shine needed two key missed shots by Barangay Ginebra in the waning seconds to escape with a 94-93 win Sunday night in the opener of the PBA Philippine Cup before a jam-packed crowd at the Araneta Coliseum. Lee, tabbed no. 2 overall by the Elasto Painters in the last Rookie Draft, dropped 21 points, issued eight assists, and grabbed five rebounds in a spectacular pro debut right on opening day of the league’s 37th season. Still, the victory wasn’t in the bag until JC Intal missed the last of three free throws awarded to him in the final 1.2 seconds, before John Wilson similarly botched the follow-up shot off an offensive rebound at the final buzzer. “Nilaro ko lang `yung game ko," said Lee, the prolific scoring guard out of University of the East. “Binigyan lang ako ng kumpiyansa ni coach Yeng at ng mga teammates ko." Jeff Chan added 18 for the Elasto Painters, but could only split his two free throws with 20 seconds to go for a 94-91 lead that opened the door for Ginebra to forge overtime after rallying back from as much as a 71-87 deficit. The Kings did get their chance after JR Quinahan was called for a foul on Intal while the Ginebra guard was attempting a shot from beyond the arc and the game clock winding down. Intal made his first two free throws, but missed on the third, and Wilson’s follow up shot failed to hit its mark as the Painters heaved a sigh of relief in the endgame. “He played a great game," said Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao of Lee. “He’s physically tough, he’s mentally tough. You can’t coach that. That did not come from me. Natural sa kanya ‘yun. He’s just special." Lee entered the game at the 6:37 mark of the first period and immediately made his presence felt by scoring 10 points. He added three more to finish the half with 13 points and the Elasto Painters on top, 44-37. Intal and Mark Caguioa, who came off the bench, led the Kings with 16 points apiece while Jayjay Helterbrand contributed 11 points. Earlier, the new season's opening ceremony was highlighted by the enshrinement to the PBA Hall of Fame of seven inductees led by four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio and prolific import Billy Ray Bates. The rest of the Hall of Famers include coach Tommy Manotoc, 1977 MVP Freddie Hubalde, the late commissioner Mariano Yenko, former PBA and national coach Valentin `Tito’ Eduque, and Vintage Enterprises CEO and president Bobong Velez. - OMG, GMA News The scores Rain or Shine (94) - Lee 21, Chan 18, Norwood 11, Buenafe 10, Cruz 8, Quinahan 7, Matias 6, Belga 4, Rodriguez 4, Ibanes 4, Arana 1. Ginebra (93) - Intal 16, Caguioa 16, Helterbrand 11, Tubid 8, Cortez 8, Wilson J. 6, Canaleta 6, Villanueva 6, Labagala 5, Mamaril 5, Wilson W. 4, De Ocampo 2, Cervantes 0. Quarterscores: 20-19, 44-37, 77-62, 94-93