MANILA, Philippines - Paul Lee fired 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as he powered fancied Cobra Energy Drink to a come-from-behind 81-77 victory over AddMix in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.
Lee, a mainstay of the Univ. of the East, came through with big baskets, from the long range and inside incursions, midway in the fourth as the Ironmen battled back from eight points down to fashion out the victory and tie opening day winners Excel Roof and Cossack Blue.
In the second game, Pharex B Complex drew solid games from unheralded Vic Manuel, Woody Co and San Beda standouts Chico Tirona and JR Tecson to beat Agrinurture (Ani-FCA), 82-62.
Manuel, who saw action with the PSBA Jaguars in the UCAA and NCRAA, led the Fighting Maroons with 17 points and nine rebounds in just 19 minutes while Co added 13. Tirona and Tecson chipped in 11 points each to join the early leaders.
Lee, who is also acting as the team’s assistant coach, made 8-of-14 shooting and finished with eight rebounds, five assists and two steals in 31 minutes of action.
Meanwhile, Jai Reyes, a vital cog in Ateneo’s back-to-back title romps in the UAAP, debuted for the Ironmen and scored four points and had three rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes.