Lee PBL player of the conference

Bacchus Energy Drink neophyte Paul Lee beat his older, more experienced rivals to snatch the Best Player of the Conference award in the 2009 PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup.

Lee, a 19-year-old standout from University of the East, averaged a league best 15.1 points. He scored in double figures in 16 of the first 18 games he played in the conference.

The former San Sebastian Staglet also emerged second in assists and third in steals where he had norms of 3.8 and 1.6, respectively, and capped it off by drawing the needed votes from the print and broadcast media as well as the commissioner’s office.

“I’m happy to win this award,” said Lee, picked seventh overall in the rookie draft last year.

“This is unexpected because there are so many tougher and more experienced guys out there,” he added.

League commissioner Chino Trinidad was impressed.

“He’s just a rookie but he created so much impact this conference,” he said, referring to the lightning-quick guard.

Among the players Lee upstaged were Harbour Centre’s Reed Juntilla and Rico Maeirhofer, Magnolia Purewater’s Neil Raneses, Hapee Toothpaste’s Jervy Cruz and Pharex’s Fil-Am Chris Ross.

Lee also credited his coach for his feat.

“I was motivated to play harder because coach Lawrence (Chongson) told me you don’t have to be a veteran to play well in the league,” he said.  – Joey Villar