Paul Lee made his return to the court for Magnolia on Sunday, but the veteran guard remains on a minutes restriction as he continues to recover from a meniscus injury.
Lee suited up for the first time in three games during the Hotshots’ dominant 107-78 win over Eastern, which kept their quarterfinals hopes alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. However, Lee was held scoreless in 12 minutes of play, going 0-for-2 from the field.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero explained that the team is easing Lee back into action as they prepare for a crucial matchup against Meralco on Friday.
“He just practiced three times the last few days, so we tried to watch his minutes muna,” Victolero said. “His regular minutes aren’t yet possible, so that’s the plan for now.”
Despite his limited play, Victolero emphasized Lee’s imprtance to the team’s overall performance.
“It’s a big help in terms of the direction and composure of the team,” Victolero said. “It’s not just about his scoring, but how he handles the offensive and defensive schemes on the court.”