Lee focuses on World Cup, leaves free agency drama to agent

MANILA, Philippines – Paul Lee remains focus on his national team duties in Spain despite the looming drama surrounding his free agency back home.

Lee neither admitted nor denied the reports that came out Friday that he wants out of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.  

“Focus muna ako dito [bro]. Bahala na ang agent ko sa akin,” Lee told Philstar.com shortly after the news broke out.

The 25-year old superstar was referring to his long-time adviser and former college coach Lawrence Chongson, who is handling the negotiations of his new contract.

Rain or Shine was expecting to get Lee back after they tendered a three-year maximum deal worth around Php 15.12 million but to their surprise, Chongson requested to meet with the team owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que.

With three days before the PBA Rookie Draft where Rain or Shine owns the second and ninth picks in the first round, Chongson advised the Elasto Painters of his ward’s decision apparently to help them map out their plan to look for Lee’s replacement.

Lee was Rain or Shine’s second overall pick in 2011.  The former UE hotshot went on to become the Elasto Painters’ top playmaker earning Rookie of the Year honors and has been named twice to the second Mythical Team.

His stocks sky-rocketed coming off a solid season where he led Rain or Shine twice to the PBA Finals and Gilas Pilipinas to a bronze medal finish recently in the FIBA Asia Cup in Wuhan, China where he sank three pressure-packed free throws with no time left to stun host China in the battle for third.

Lee’s consistent performance in the Gilas training camp has earned him a slot in the final lineup of Gilas for both the FIBA World Cup and the Asian Games.  He is on his way to full recovery from a minor glutes (lower back down to hamstring) injury and returned to active duty scoring two points in 15 minutes in Gilas’ 74-83 loss to Angola Friday morning Manila time.  

Philstar.com tried to contact Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao but his phone just kept on ringing with reports coming in that he was in a meeting with Yu and Que with regards to Lee’s contract and their plans on Sunday’s rookie draft.

With the impending departure of Lee, Rain or Shine has zeroed in on ABL veteran Chris Banchero and Gilas cadet Kevin Alas, the two best guards in the draft after sure top overall pick Stanley Pringle.

Guiao has earlier expressed that he is looking for a premier big man and the Elasto Painters might go for it in exchange for Lee.