Moments after the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ huge come-from-behind win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, burly reinforcement Reggie Johnson was still on a high. He had just got one over his former teammate Matthew Wright.
Johnson and Wright go a long way.
Back in the sixth season of the ASEAN Basketball League, the two, together with Jason Brickman, steered the Westsports Malaysia Dragons to the top of the regional league.
Saturday evening, they were on different sides. And the final possession of the game came down to a showdown between the two.
“It was special,” the 28-year-old recalled.
After Gabe Norwood split his free throws that put Rain or Shine on top 108-106 with six ticks left, Wright caught a pass by Willie Wilson. The Filipino-Canadian sniper caught a glimpse that it was Johnson who was defending him. With two seconds left, Wright threw a sidewinder over Johnson. The ball though only hit the side of the board.
Johnson was relieved.
“If Matt hit that in my face, I wouldn’t hear the end of it. That was why I needed to contest, get a hand up without fouling him,” the 6-foot-10, 290-pound American shared.
“It was the perfect scenario, me against him for the game almost. I’m glad it went our way. It’s a big time win for me and I have bragging rights now so I’m excited.”
Johnson was pivotal during the Elasto Painters’ comeback from 19 points down, scoring 13 points in the third frame alone. He finished with 32 points and 17 rebounds.
Besides chalking up another win, Johnson can now say that he got one over Wright. But being a close friend, he still can’t help but be saddened with the predicament Wright and the Fuel Masters are in right now.
“I’ll text him tonight, Facebook, Instagram, everything. But they’re in a rough spot right now and I hate it for him, they’re fighting for the playoffs,” Johnson expressed.
“I do want to see him in the playoffs and have some success but not in our expense.”
