Matthew Wright has no regrets: ‘If it ever happens again to us, we would probably do the same thing’

Band of brothers

After the brawl erupted between Gilas Pilipinas and the Australian Boomers, the Filipino cagers were seen smiling on the sidelines. Though not proud of what they did, they showed that no one messes with Gilas.

The Gilas quintet of Roger Pogoy, Andray Blatche, Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, and June Mar Fajardo on the floor were supported by their teammates Matthew Wright, Troy Rosario, Carl Cruz, and Calvin Abueva, all of whom stormed to the court. Joining them in the skirmish were pool players Jio Jalalon and Allein Maliksi.

“We just stood up for our guys,” said Wright.

Wright disclosed that Daniel Kickert and the Australians had already been trying to bully them even during the warm-ups.

“It happened before the game even started. So, you know everyone knows we’re a gracious hosts but if you get pushed to a limit, there’s only so much we can do so,” the 27-year-old added.

“I’m just happy everyone stood up for each other and we had each other’s backs.”

Wright pinned the blame on Kickert, who had been talking trash to Gilas all game long.

“It was just a cheapy game. If anything will happen, then he just hit Pogoy after the foul was called which is unnecessary,” opined Wright, who was one of the nine Gilas players ejected from the game.

“That cost the entire thing.”

Though apologetic, Wright said that they would do the same thing if someone tries to bully them again.

“It’s unfortunate that we lost today but if it ever happens again to us, we would probably do the same thing because cause we have each other’s backs,” he shared.

“We’re brotherhood. It’s more than basketball.”