Sep 14, 2021

Wright ready for the challenge ahead of Phoenix

THESE are moments Matthew Wright lives for.

The deadly wingman is all juiced up as the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations enter its homestretch and the Phoenix Fuel Masters beginning to finally get their acts together as a team.

Although the Fuel Masters are still under the .500 mark at 4-5, Wright likes where the team is at the moment, especially having won three of its last four games since the season restarted in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Phoenix defeated Rain or Shine, Terrafirma, and Blackwater, with its lone loss coming against NLEX in the past two weeks.

"I'm starting to see our team developing an identity offensively and defensively," said Wright. "So, I think we're moving on the right track, and that's all I could really hope for."

Sponsored content:
At the same time, Wright is beginning to become at home at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym as he's finally beginning to find his touches by averaging 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in the Fuel Masters' last two games. He's likewise shooting 36 percent from three-point range.

"I'm starting to finally find my touch in this gym. It took me a while, but I felt I finally broke that barrier," he said.

Phoenix will have its hands full in its final two games against league giants San Miguel Beer and defending champion Barangay Ginebra. The Fuel Masters play the Kings on Wednesday and the Beermen on Sunday.

But the warrior that he is, Wright said he's up to the challenge.

"I enjoy my back against the wall because when the pressure is on, that's when you really see who you are as a person, and you really see what you're made of," said the 30-year-old Fil-Canadian.

Sponsored content:
"These next two games against two giants, that could be huge, but at the end of the day, it's just basketball," Wright added. "And they got to guard us, too. As good as those teams are, they got to guard us, too." (RG)