Phoenix Super LPG head coach Topex Robinson has called his squad’s Thursday game against Ginebra the start of the “post-Matthew Wright” era.
Last Saturday, the 6-foot-4 super scorer played his final game for the Fuel Masters franchise which he has been a part of for six years.
Wright flew out of the Philippines the same night as he will wed his partner Gabriella Rosa on July 24 in the States.
“The way we played tonight is at least the preview that we’re gonna see… so much promise on this young team,” said Robinson after Phoenix’s close 100-93 defeat to the Barangay.
“I guess this is post-Matthew Wright.”
The bench tactician was quick to take a u-turn though, saying that there is nothing final yet with regards to Wright’s status.
However, Robinson is also realistic that there’s only a little chance that he will see the once-franchise star in Fuel Masters uniform again.
“I have to accept the reality na mas malaki yung chance that he’s not coming back.”
And with Phoenix already looking to turn a new leaf, Robinson will be banking on a number of players to fill in the big shoes that Wright left.
The head coach was positive with what he saw against Ginebra as his squad tried multiple times to spoil their foe’s last game before entering the quarterfinals.
“With what we saw earlier it’s a bunch of a lot of guys because Matt has been the guy here for the longest time. I just told the team nga you cannot replace Matt,” he said. “What we are looking for is a group of guys that is willing to commit to what we value, that is willing to buy in to what we preach so yun yung hinahanap namin and we’re not looking for one guy.
“I just told them na remember this day and try to build on that.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
