December 15, 2018

Lee's game-winner all too familiar for Compton

Alaska coach Alex Compton felt like it was deja vu all over again after watching Paul Lee's game-winner jumper that gave Magnolia a 3-2 lead in the PBA Governors' Cup Finals.

Lee's baseline shot that sealed the Hotshots' 79-78 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum brought back memories for Compton, who was a victim of a similar moment from the same player during the 2016 Commissioner's Cup title series.

"He hit a buzzer-beater from almost the same spot," Compton said, recalling the moment that came in Game 2 of that series also held at the Big Dome.

The only difference was that Lee was wearing the the Rain or Shine Elastopainters uniform as he drained a fadeaway jumper off Beau Belga's missed three to secure a 105-103 victory and a 2-0 lead.

His basket opened the door for the Elastopainters to capture the series in six games, with Lee earning the Finals Most Valuable Player honors.

Sponsored content:
"I may have to put something slippery on the floor there for the endgame with Paul," Compton joked as he lamented on Alaska's near-misses in Game 5.

The jumper served as a fitting conclusion to a nightmarish final few seconds for the Aces, who looked as if they had the game at hand when they took a 76-74 lead.

But Kevin Racal missed a layup off Lee, resulting in an Ian Sangalang three-point play on the other end.

Alaska had another opportunity to seal the deal after Mike Harris made a pair of pressure-packed free throws before blocking a Romeo Travis layup on the ensuing possession, only for Lee to beat Racal for the looseball that resulted in the decisive basket with 1.3 remaining.

"They beat us to the loose balls and got the ball, and that is something that can't happen," Compton said. "I think if we get a couple of loose balls, we win the game. (JT)