MANILA, Philippines—A hairline fracture on his right foot will not keep University of the East star Paul Lee out of the season’s UAAP men’s basketball competition starting next month.
Lee’s right foot has been in cast for the past two weeks after sustaining the injury during training in the United States last month.
But UE coach Lawrence Chongson said Lee will be back before the season’s start.
“It’s just a hairline fracture in his right outer foot,” Chongson said Monday. “He’ll be okay by next week. He’s actually joining our shooting drills now.
“He’s fine, so there’s no truth to talks that he can no longer play.”
Lee will come in this season as the Warriors’ most reliable veteran after the squad lost Elmer Espiritu, Pari Llagas, Val Acuña and Rudy Lingganay to graduation.
Guard James Martinez will also return following a year-long layoff due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Lee averaged 14.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Warriors, who overcame the twice-to-beat semifinal advantage of tournament favorite Far Eastern University last season.
The Warriors also dragged Ateneo de Manila University to a do-or-die Game 3 in the title series.
Season 73 of the country’s premier collegiate league fires off on July 10 with host De La Salle University battling the University of the Philippines at 2 p.m., followed by the 4 p.m. duel between Adamson University and National University at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Jasmine Payo, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Subject: Injured UE Sentinel Lee Will Play 
Tue Jun 22, 2010 6:16 am
