Paul Lee (basketball)

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Dalistanand the surname or paternal family name is Lee.

Paul Lee

Lee in 2022
No. 3–Magnolia Hotshots
Position	Shooting guard / point guard
League	PBA
Personal information
Born	(1989-02-14) February 14, 1989 (age 35) Tondo, Manila, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	San Sebastian College – Recoletos
College	University of the East
PBA draft	2011: 1st round, 2nd overall pick
Selected by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Playing career	2011–present
Career history
2011–2016	Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
2016–present	Star / Magnolia Hotshots
Career highlights and awards
3× PBA champion (2012 Governors', 2016 Commissioner's, 2018 Governors') PBA Finals MVP (2016 Commissioner's) PBA Best Player of the Conference (2018 Governors') 9× PBA All-Star (2012–2019, 2023) PBA All-Star Game MVP (2023) 2× PBA Mythical First Team (2015, 2018) 2× PBA Mythical Second Team (2012, 2014) PBA Rookie of the Year (2012) PBA All-Rookie Team (2012) 2× PBA Order of Merit (2015, 2018) PBA Comeback Player of the Year (2015) PBA 3-Point Shootout champion (2023) UAAP Most Improved Player (2009) 2× UAAP Mythical Five (2009, 2010) PBL Best Player of the Conference (2008-09 PG Flex Linoleum Cup) 2× PBL Mythical First Team (2008-09 Season, 2010 PG Flex-Erase Placenta)
Medals Men's Basketball Representing   Philippines FIBA Asia Cup 2014 Wuhan Team

Paul John Dalistan Lee (born February 14, 1989 ^[1] ) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Magnolia Hotshots of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was drafted 2nd overall by Rain or Shine in the 2011 PBA draft.

Early life and education

Paul John Lee was born on February 14, 1989, to Edwin Lee and Helen Dalistan. Due to his parents' being unmarried at the time of his birth, his legal surname at birth was his mother's maiden surname, Dalistan. His parents would get married on October of the following year. ^[2]

Lee was born in Tondo, Manila, to a family of three children. While his paternal ancestors of Chinese roots had a history of being involved in the lumber industry since the 19th century, Lee's family did not inherit much wealth. Paul John's family lived as a lower middle class household, with his father working as a pedicab driver and his mother briefly working as a domestic worker in the Middle East. ^[3] His family would avoid seeking financial assistance from their other relatives. ^[4]

As a young teenager, Lee would already play basketball and join local competitions in Tondo. ^[4]

Lee would attend high school at the San Sebastian College – Recoletos. He would move to the University of the East to pursue a college education under a full scholarship. ^[5]

Amateur career

High school

When he was a high school freshman in San Sebastian College – Recoletos, he was discovered when he was playing in the school’s intramurals. The coach spotted him, made him try out and placed him in the lineup the following year. The San Sebastian Staglets would go on to win the NCAA Juniors Championship in his senior year. ^[6]

College

After his high school career ended, Lee accounts that no university team gave him an invitation to play for their team. He would receive an endorsement from the father of his San Sebastian teammate Raphy Reyes to play for the University of the East. ^[5]

In 2007, he was recruited by then coach Dindo Pumaren of the University of the East, which at that time had formidable backcourt players like Raphy Reyes, Paul Zamar, James Martinez and Marcy Arellano. His role during that time was with the second squad. He was known as the 6th man, the main replacement for then King Warrior Marcy Arellano. In 2009, his game flourished when Lawrence Chongson took over to coach the team. ^[7] Chongson later became his adviser, and currently an agent, ^[8] until his death in 2021. ^{[9] [10]}

He received the Most Improved Player award in UAAP Season 72. ^[11] He then became a part of Mythical Team during the UAAP Season 73.

He also played for Cobra Energy Drink Iron Men in the Philippine Basketball League and later in the PBA Developmental League coached by Chongson.

In his last year in UE, he was playing with an injury, but he didn't want anybody to know about it. ^[12]

Professional career

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (2011–2016)

Lee with Rain or Shine in 2016

He was picked 2nd overall by Rain or Shine during the 2011 PBA draft. ^[13] In his PBA debut, Paul Lee recorded 17 points, 2 rebounds and 4 assists in 25 minutes of playing time on a 107–100 win over the Alaska Aces. ^[14] The following game, Paul Lee had another strong game having recorded 17 points and 5 rebounds in 30 minutes of playing time in a 100–94 win over the B-Meg Llamados. By the end of the 2011–12 PBA season, he was awarded Rookie of the Year, and won his first ever PBA championship with the Elasto Painters, though he did not play in the championship series due to injury.

In 2014, he requested the Rain or Shine management to trade him by personally calling up coach Yeng Guiao. ^[15] However, Guiao and the Rain or Shine management are hell bent on keeping him at all cost. After Lee returned from Spain following his Gilas stint in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, he went to a sabbatical by not showing up to Rain or Shine practice or even talking to the media, creating speculations of him pushing through signing up with another team. A few days later, he finally showed up, and after a heart-to-heart talk with coach Yeng Guiao, he finally decided to stay with the Elasto Painters. ^[16] On September 19, 2014, he, together with his agent Lawrence Chongson, signed a 2-year max deal to stay with Rain or Shine. ^[17]

Magnolia Star Hotshots (2016–present)

On October 13, 2016, Paul Lee was sent to Star Hotshots on a blockbuster trade in exchange for star shooting guard James Yap in one of the biggest deal in PBA history that led to shocking reactions from basketball fans.

PBA career statistics

Legend
GP	Games played	GS	Games started	MPG	Minutes per game
FG%	Field-goal percentage	3P%	3-point field-goal percentage	FT%	Free-throw percentage
RPG	Rebounds per game	APG	Assists per game	SPG	Steals per game
BPG	Blocks per game	PPG	Points per game	Bold	Career high

As of the end of 2022–23 season ^{[18] [19]}

Season-by-season averages

Year	Team	GP	MPG	FG%	3P%	FT%	RPG	APG	SPG	BPG	PPG
2011–12	Rain or Shine	46	27.5	.465	.344	.826	3.7	4.1	.8	.0	13.9
2012–13	Rain or Shine	38	25.5	.374	.331	.717	4.2	3.6	.8	.1	11.6
2013–14	Rain or Shine	61	25.8	.403	.362	.824	3.2	2.7	.7	.1	13.0
2014–15	Rain or Shine	53	27.6	.409	.395	.843	4.5	3.3	.8	.0	15.6
2015–16	Rain or Shine	35	21.2	.418	.319	.929	2.7	2.5	.6	.0	10.3
2016–17	Star	51	29.8	.387	.331	.847	3.7	3.3	.8	.0	12.5
2017–18	Magnolia	52	28.9	.388	.357	.833	3.9	3.3	1.1	.1	15.3
2019	Magnolia	53	27.7	.396	.335	.859	4.4	3.6	.5	.1	14.2
2020	Magnolia	12	30.4	.447	.404	.889	4.0	3.3	1.1	.1	19.7
2021	Magnolia	41	29.5	.356	.298	.873	2.9	2.6	.7	.1	15.5
2022–23	Magnolia	44	27.4	.395	.405	.902	3.1	2.4	.5	.1	14.8
Career		486	27.3	.399	.354	.845	3.7	3.2	.7	.1	13.9

Lee in 2023

National team career

Lee was part of the Philippine national team debuting at the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup. ^[20] Due to the circumstances of his birth, Lee competed as Paul John Dalistan, using his mother's maiden surname. ^[2] He led the team to a bronze medal finish in the Asian tournament after converting three crucial free-throws with no time remaining against host China. ^{[21] [22] [23]}

Lee also competed in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2014 Asian Games but injuries caused him to get sidelined the following year. ^{[24] [25]}

Personal life

Lee is married to Rubie Chua with whom he has a daughter. ^{[26] [27]}

References

1. Bacnis, Justine (February 16, 2024). "Paul Lee's Bittersweet 35th: Magnolia's title dreams crushed on his birthday". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
2. "Why is Paul Lee wearing a jersey with 'Dalistan' at back in Gilas debut? His mom explains". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. June 12, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
3. Lo, Ricky (July 29, 2014). "A perfect shot for Paul Lee". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
4. Flores, Wilson Lee (July 27, 2014). "Paul Lee, the amazing basketball dreamer from Tondo | Philstar.com". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
5. Ramos, Gerry (August 13, 2020). "Paul Lee swears no college team tried to recruit him after high school". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
6. Gonzales, Mav C. (September 30, 2011). "PBA Rookies: When no one wanted Paul Lee". GMA News and Public Affairs . Retrieved December 10, 2014.
7. "UE Red Warriors' Quarterback Paul Lee is part of UAAP Season 73 Mythical Five – Tira UE Blog for Victory!". TiraUE.wordpress.com. September 21, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
8. Badua, Snow (August 22, 2014). "Paul Lee wants out of Rain or Shine, expresses desire to be traded, says adviser". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
9. News, G. M. A. "Former players pay tribute to late basketball coach Lawrence Chongson". GMA News Online. Retrieved June 16, 2022.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
10. "Former UE Red Warriors coach Lawrence Chongson dies". RAPPLER. December 26, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
11. "Elmer Espiritu and Paul Lee recipients of UAAP season 72 special awards". UE.edu.ph. October 3, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
12. Ramos, Nikko (August 2, 2012). "The Truth About Paul Lee's Last Year in UE". SlamOnlinePH.com. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
13. "Casio first, Lee second in 2011 PBA draft". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
14. "Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 107 Alaska Aces 100". May 20, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
15. Joble, Rey (November 29, 2015). "'Ang ganda ng samahan natin': Yeng Guiao surprised by Paul Lee's decision to ask Rain or Shine for trade". InterAksyon.com. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
16. Dy, Richard (September 16, 2014). "Yeng Guiao says Paul Lee ready to sign new deal with Rain or Shine after heart-to-heart talk". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
17. Badua, Snow (September 20, 2014). "Paul Lee, Rain or Shine bury the hatchet as star guard ready to give his best for team, says agent Lawrence Chongson". Spin.ph. Retrieved December 10, 2014.
18. PBA-Online.net
19. Real GM
20. Giongco, Mark (July 12, 2014). "Paul Lee shines in Gilas debut, leads PH over Taipei". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
21. Quiteles, Rodneil (July 19, 2014). "Lee free throws give Gilas bronze in FIBA Asia Cup". Rappler . Retrieved January 7, 2015.
22. Sacamos, Karlo (July 19, 2014). "Paul Lee breaks Chinese hearts by rescuing Gilas with wily final play, three free throws". Spin.ph. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
23. Pamintuan, Carlo (July 19, 2014). "FIBA Asia Cup: Clutch Paul Lee free throws down China for bronze medal". Yahoo! Sports Philippines. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
24. "Andray Blatche, Paul Lee officially named to Gilas Pilipinas roster for World Cup". GMA News and Public Affairs . Retrieved December 10, 2014.
25. "Lee wants to don Gilas colors anew". FIBA. January 13, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
26. "Meet Paul Lee and wife's first baby girl, Tokyo | Fastbreak". Fast Break. October 8, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
27. "Overjoyed Paul Lee, wife name their first-born Tokyo. He explains". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. October 11, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2024.