Knee issue may force Lee to miss qualifier

Already without Greg Slaughter and Matt Rosser-Ganuelas, the Gilas Pilipinas national team training pool is facing another prospect of losing another key player in Paul Lee in the Manila leg of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) slated July 5 to 10.

Regarded as one of the country’s top guards, a left knee injury Lee sustained last October has not fully healed even after he received a second Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP early this year – causing it to produce unnecessary fluids that needed to be drained.

Lee, a 6-foot-1 guard fresh from helping Rain or Shine win the Commissioner’s Cup championship in the PBA title series last week that saw him pocket the Press Corps CIGNAL Finals MVP, said he will talk to Gilas mentor Tab Baldwin about his situation.

In winning the MVP award, Lee showed little sign of the knee discomfort which he said needed attention now that the PBA is on a break.

“Sasabihin ko kay coach Tab yung sitwasyon ko,” Lee said late Sunday after seeing a doctor who confirmed the injury.

“Ganun pa din e, after ko magpacheck up sa doctor last Friday, meron pa ding partial tear yung ligament. Saka mas maraming tubig ngayon kesa noong huling nagpa-drain ako,” added Lee.

Baldwin already scratched the names of Slaughter and GanuelasRosser due to injuries. The 7-foot Slaughter is scheduled to have surgery to remove bone spurs on his ankle, while the 6-foot-5 Ganuelas-Rosser had a surgery to repair an injured knee a few weeks ago.

Lee hurt his knee twice prior and during the Philippine Cup, prompting him to undergo two PRP procedures. He missed the first five games of the Commissioner’s Cup before carrying Rain or Shine to its second title in franchise history.

Baldwin said he is aware of Lee’s situation, but has yet to talk to the ROS player.

“I know he has some knee issues,” said Baldwin. “It is what it is. We just have to deal with it. But I know he badly wants to be part of Gilas. I have to see him on Tuesday. I haven’t talk to him yet but I read that he has knee issues.”

“If he needs to rest, we’ll give him time to rest. But do we have enough time to rest?” added Baldwin.

Lee said he is scheduled to have fluids drained next week and then proceed with another PRP – a procedure that would likely force him to miss at least five weeks to recover and therapy sessions.