Lee AG-bound, okays P10-M ‘Rain’ pact

MANILA, Philippines - Paul Lee leaves for Incheon, Korea today with only the Gilas Pilipinas Asiad campaign to think about after formalizing a fresh two-year contract with Rain or Shine yesterday.

The two parties settled for a P10.08-million pact at the end of a long negotiation nearly botched by interventions of outside forces.

But Lee decided to stayg on with the team where he won the PBA Rookie of the Year honors in 2012.

Rain or Shine’s concern now is how to deal with excess players.

With their contract negotiation with Lee in the balance, the Asian Coating Inc. franchise tapped in rookies Kevin Alas and Jericho Cruz.

The team is likely to work on a trade deal to keep the balance of its roster and at the same time stay within the current allowable “14 plus one” (14 regulars plus one reserve) lineup in the league.

Rain or Shine will have no significant change in its lineup except the replacement to Alex Nuyles who was acquired by Blackwater from the dispersal draft.

The Elasto Painters had a fine showing in the 2013-14 PBA season, making the finals in the Philippine Cup and the Governors Cup.