Lee to stay with Rain or Shine after sitting with Guiao

MANILA, Philippines – All's well that ends well.  Paul Lee is returning to Rain or Shine after all.

The beleaguered playmaker finally had his much-anticipated heart-to-heart meeting with Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao on Tuesday during the team's practice.

"Simple lang naman [ang pag-uusap namin]. Nagsabi siya na pipirma na siya sa kontrata," Guiao told Philstar.com.

"'Di na namin pinag-usapan yung nangyari. Siya na mismo nagsabi na gusto nya bumalik sa team at pipirma na siya. Sa akin, 'yun naman ang pinaka-importante," the mercurial coach added.

Guiao and Lee's agent Lawrence Chongson traded verbal jabs during the tense month-long stand-off between both camps as Lee was reportedly seeking to be traded to another team.

It took a week before Lee and Guiao met since the Tondo-bred playmaker arrived from Spain where he played for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The meeting came on the heels of PBA Commissioner Chito Salud's advise that Lee's camp should meet with the Rain or Shine group or the impasse will be dragged to his arbitration.

The meeting went well, and Guiao is standing by his top playmaker's words. He is hoping that Lee, who came to the meeting without his controversial agent Lawrence Chongson, signs the P15.12-million maximum deal before he leaves for the Asian Games.

"After that [meeting], mag-uusap na sila ng management. Sa akin, sana as soon as possible. Paalis na sila pupunta ng Incheon eh, kung maayos nang mas maaga, mas maganda," Guiao said. "Para may peace of mind na kami pareho."