Matthew Wright had yet another 30-point outing as Phoenix Super LPG took on TNT in 2020 PBA Philippine Cup action, Monday at the Smart 5G-powered Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
There, the Fil-Canadian guard produced 31 points, shooting 43-percent from the field. But the bulk of his output came from the charity stripe, where he went perfect after converting all of the 13 shots he earned.
And that’s quite a feat.
According to PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, that’s the most without a miss in a game since LA Tenorio also went 13-of-13 on Feb. 7, 2017 in Ginebra’s 108-97 win over Alaska, which ousted the latter in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
That is level for fourth all-time most freebies made without a miss in a game by a local player in the PBA. Besides Wright and Tenorio, big man Jervy Cruz also did it in a game in 2012, when he was still with Rain or Shine.
Who owns the record, you wonder?
Four-time PBA Most Valuable Player Alvin Patrimonio does, as he went 16-for-16 back in 1989. Vince Hizon shot 15-for-15 back in 1996, while current Alaska head coach Jeff Cariaso made all 14 in 2004.
Unfortunately, Wright’s commendable outing went down the drain. The Fuel Masters lost, 91-110, absorbing their first loss inside the bubble after winning their first two outings.
And Roger Pogoy was a major reason for the defeat. He exploded for 30 points on five triples — despite nursing an ankle injury, which meant his status was uncertain prior to the game.
With that, Pogoy and Wright are the only players to have two 30-point games in the bubble. Pogoy had 45 in the first game back of the season last Oct. 11. Meanwhile, Wright made 36 versus Meralco the following night.
