Lee willing to suit up for Phl 5

MANILA, Philippines - Paul Lee is open to playing with Gilas Pilipinas in the coming fifth FIBA Asia Cup despite his team’s extended stint in PBA Season 39 where Rain or Shine is disputing the Governors Cup crown with the grand slam-chasing San Mig Coffee.

“No problem. I’ll be glad to play for the national team in that tournament,” said Lee in reaction to Gilas coach Chot Reyes’ pronouncement that he’s hoping to get the nod of the Rain or Shine player for the Asia Cup in Wuhan, China on July 11-19.

“And I don’t think I would have a hard time adjusting to international play. I’ve had international stints playing under FIBA rules during my amateur days,” said Lee, a former UE Warrior and Cobra/Boracay Rum star in the PBA D-League.

“I don’t think the adjustment to the international style of game and rules of play would be a big deal,” he added.

Other Gilas pool members playing in the Governors Cup finals are San Mig Coffee’s Marc Pingris and Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan, Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga.

Reyes is likely to give them rest and spare them for the Wuhan joust which serves as Gilas Pilipinas’ lone warm-up competition for the FIBA World Cup set Aug. 30-Sept. 13 in Spain.

Members of the pool were to gather last night for their first meeting since their historic second-place finish in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup.