MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) – Paul Lee shot the lights out in the 4th period as the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors finally broke into the win column at the expense of the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, 59-54, on Saturday in the UAAP Season 73 men’s basketball at the Araneta Coliseum.

Lee scored 10 points in the payoff period, including 2 three-pointers in the homestretch, to break the hearts of the Maroons and lead the Warriors to their 1st win in 5 starts.

UP was clinging to a 1-point lead when Lee and Paul Zamar hit consecutive three-pointers to push UE ahead, 56-51 with 1:34 left in the game.

UP’s Fil-Am newcomer Mike Silungan answered with his own three-pointer to cut the lead to two, 56-54.

Then came Lee’s unbelievable shot.

With the clock winding down to 17.7 seconds, Lee shook off Alvin Padilla then stepped back in swift motion to get a space to release his shot in front of the UE bench.

It was all net, and the red side of Araneta went wild.

The Warriors then wisely used their fouls and went to their defense to thwart the Maroons’ last attempt at a comeback.

“Sabi ko sa mga teammates ko, huwag na namin ‘tong bitawan. Kung matalo pa kami dito, baka ‘di na kami umabot sa Final Four,” said Lee, who admitted that his fractured left foot is still not 100 percent.

“Tingin ko nasa 60 percent pa lang. All heart na lang talaga.”

But there was no sign of the injury in Lee’s game. Averaging close to 20 points per game this season, Lee finished with 23 points that went with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

It was another bitter pill to swallow for the Maroons, who battled back from 10 points down to grab the lead at the end of the 3rd period, 40-36.

UP, which dropped to league worst 0-5, was led by Silungan’s 20 points, who went short in his toe-to-toe battle with Lee. The Maroons badly missed the services of Woody Co, who is nursing a right knee injury.

The Scores:

UE 59 – Lee 23, Martinez 10, Acibar 6, Casajeros 5, Razon 4 Ayala 4, Zamar 3, Enguio 2, Reyes 2, Tagarda 0, Duran 0.

UP 54 – Silungan 20, Sison 11, Padilla 6, Gomez 6, Saret 3, Martin Reyes 3, Lopez 2, Hipolito 2, Maniego 1, Manuel 0, Juruena 0.

Quarterscores: 15-8, 29-21, 36-40, 59-54.