About a day after leading his Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters to a stunning 110-103 conquest of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Matthew Wright checked his phone, as he had received a message.
It was an invitation to join Gilas Pilipinas’ pool for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Of course, he said yes in a heartbeat.
“They got a text message to me to come into the pool, so I was excited,” the Fil-Canadian expressed.
“Having an opportunity to get to represent the Philippines and play in a tournament like the World Cup, you don’t say no to it.”
It marked his return to the Gilas program after being left out of the team’s pool for the sixth window of the Asian Qualifiers last February. But for Wright, he did not rejoin the Nationals to prove something or whatnot — he’s just happy to be back.
“I’m just happy to be here,” he said. “I understand, you know, the situations before or whatnot, but just the fact that they trust me to bring me back, it definitely gives me the confidence to just go out there and play my game.”
Wright had his first practice with Gilas Thursday evening. And it looked like he missed it so much.
“There’s not a lot of people here today.
“But it was just nice to see some familiar faces, seeing coaching staff, seeing ball boys. You know, the small things that you miss about Gilas Pilipinas, and also the free chicken,” he quipped.
Gilas head coach Yeng Guiao bared that a significant reason behind Wright’s addition is his impressive outings for Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where they are currently riding a two-game win streak.
In those back-to-back wins of theirs that came at the expense of the NorthPort Batang Pier and defending champions Gin Kings, the sharpshooter out of St. Bonaventure averaged 30.0 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds.
Wright gushed upon hearing what Guiao had said about him. So now, he’s about to make the most out of his Gilas return.
“It’s a good confidence boost, big time, especially coming from coach Yeng. He’s not too easily impressed. I’m sure you know that. I’ve always wanted to just come back and at least give me a chance to make this team again. Now that I’m back I intend to just make the best of it, and just not take anything for granted that I’m here.
“I know that a lot of people come to practices with, you know, the season, with their mother teams. And it is hectic, and it’s tough on the body, but how often are you able to go to the World Cup? So I don’t care how tired or how busy I am. If you get that call from Gilas, you drop whatever it is, and you just go,” he said.
