Paul Lee teams up with playing-coach LA Tenorio as Magnolia braces for do-or-die vs TNT

Paul Lee and the Magnolia Hotshots enter survival mode as they take on TNT Tropang 5G in a do-or-die quarterfinal clash in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Saturday, Dec. 27.

Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

As the no. 6 seed, Magnolia must beat TNT twice to move on, starting with a chance at redemption after absorbing a 94–83 loss to the Tropang 5G to end the eliminations. 

That game also marked LA Tenorio’s debut as playing-coach, a role he will continue to juggle in the playoffs.

Help is arriving just in time for the Hotshots though, with Paul Lee activated and expected to provide much-needed scoring punch and leadership.

Lee replaces Gab Gomez, who has been relegated to the injured list, giving Magnolia a familiar closer and floor-spacer in a pressure-packed setting.

Tenorio, who finished with four points, two rebounds, and three assists in the previous meeting, will lean on Lee’s experience as Magnolia looks to flip the script against a TNT squad that struck first.

(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)

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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI and reviewed by editorial staff for accuracy.]