Rain or Shine guard makes game-winning freebies as Gilas steals bronze from China

Paul Lee showed the rest of China why he is known in the Philippines as the “Angas ng Tondo” as the Rain or Shine guard barely flinched in canning three straight free throws that gave the Gilas Pilipinas a scintillating 80-79 win over China in the battle-for-third game of the 5th FIBA Asia Cup yesterday at the packed Wuhan Sports Center in Wuhan, China.

The exciting win snapped the Philippines’ successive fourth-place finishes in this tournament. The Filipinos lost in the bronze medal game in the 3rd FIBA Asia Stankovic Cup in Lebanon in 2010 and also in the 4th FIBA Asia Cup in Japan two years ago.

It was a fitting end to the outstanding international debut of the former University of the East standout Lee as he rescued the national team from the jaws of defeat with his pressure-packed charity-stripe makes with no time remaining on the clock.

The Gilas was headed towards yet another fourth place finish after Kelanbaike Makan swished two free throws that gave the host nation a 79-77 lead with just 46 seconds left on the clock.

Things turned even dimmer for the Gilas after LA Tenorio missed a three-pointer and China regained possession.

Chinese guard Zirui Wang was then sent to the free-throw line for what were to be the insurance points with just five seconds left in the game.

But Wang missed both attempts and the rebound was secured by Gilas naturalized player Marcus Douthit. The ball then made its way to Tenorio then to Lee, who faked the shot from beyond the arc and sent two Chinese defenders flying into the air.

Showing the veteran smarts that has made him one of the craftiest players in the country, Lee made contact with Makan, and a foul was called on the latter, giving the former three free throws with no time left.

With the partisan crowd trying to distract the Filipino guard, Lee showed nerves of steel and promptly made one free throw after another to give the Gilas the huge win over China and its best finish in this tournament.

Ranidel de Ocampo was the main man once again for the Gilas as he finished with 18 points on an amazing 88 percent clip from the field. Japeth Aguilar added 14,  Tenorio chipped in 12 while Beau Belga and Douthit contributed 10 each. Lee finished with nine.