RoS puts Paul Lee issue on hold during World Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine deems it better to let Paul Lee concentrate on his Gilas Pilipinas stint and wait for his return in the country to resolve the issue.

Team owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que denied they’re already talking with one particular team for a possible trade.

“We’re not in talks with any of the 11 other teams for a deal involving Paul. Speculations on the internet aren’t true,” Yu told The STAR.

“We’ll let him concentrate with Gilas, and we’ll put everything in the right way. In the end, the signing rights on him will still be with us,” Yu also said.

“If ever there would be a trade, we’ll make sure the trade is fair. As we’ve been saying, we’ll only agree on a trade for a quality big man or something of equal value,” Yu added.

And with the uncertainty of Lee’s return to the team, Rain or Shine was already to negotiate a deal with rookie draftee Kevin Alas late yesterday or today.

Before the draft, Lee talked to coach Yeng Guiao on the phone, requesting that he be traded. The former UE star wants out even as he’s being offered a contract-extension deal worth P15.1 million in three years (the max allowed in the league).

Guiao said they would still try to sign up Lee on his return while hitting his handlers for complicating matters for the 2012 Rookie of the Year awardee.

Meanwhile, San Mig Coffee, determined to keep its fourth-peat team intact, has re-signed another key player Joe Devance to a maximum P10.08-million deal for two years.

Signed to a three-year multi-million pact earlier was guard Mark Barroca.

Also inking new contracts elsewhere were Jonas Villanueva (NLEX), Mike Cortez (Meralco), John Wilson (Meralco) and Jason Ballesteros (Meralco).

Curiously, Maclean Sabellina, picked at No. 27 overall by Blackwater Sports in the Sunday’s draft, was among draftees getting a contract early. He’s given a one-conference pact.