Topex Robinson and Phoenix Super LPG honored Matthew Wright in his final game wearing the Fuel Masters’ colors on Saturday.
Wright – whose wedding is on the 24th with long-time partner Gabriela Rosa in New York – will see his contract expire on August 31.
Though the two camps never got close to a deal, Robinson – who has been Wright’s head coach since 2020 – has nothing but praise for the 6-foot-4 Fil-Canadian sniper for being professional all throughout the conference.
“As of now, he honored his contract. He’s going to expire in August and he was open to us about it,” said Robinson.
“Last year pa niya sinabi sa amin na he is going to look at his opportunities.”
Wright played all 10 games for Phoenix Super LPG this conference, norming 15.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per contest. However, the six-year PBA vet could only lead the Fuel Masters to just three wins.
Still, it was an amazing ride for Wright and the Fuel Masters who were just one win shy of making it to the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
“I love Matt, I love playing with Matt,” said Jason Perkins, who is now the main man of Phoenix.
On Saturday, Wright played 37 minutes and 48 seconds despite the game being a rout at halftime.
Robinson made sure that Wright got his flowers when he subbed him out with 47 seconds left in the contest.
On midnight of September 1, Wright becomes a restricted free agent, free to play wherever league he wants. Phoenix will still hold his rights in the PBA.
Wherever Wright lands, Robinson says the whole Phoenix organization will support him.
(C) PBA Images
“We are just happy for him. Whatever it is that he is going to do after this is something that we’d agreed upon. The management has his full support. If he returns, it’s an added bonus for us,” the youthful mentor continued.
Now, it’s up to the rest of the Fuel Masters backcourt to fill the giant shoes left by Wright.
And Phoenix’s new era will immediately begin on Thursday when they take on Ginebra in a do-or-die clash for them.
“Matt’s absence will be somebody else’s presence. We have Perk here, he is one of our veterans now. That’s going to be a big shoe to fill. That’s just an opportunity for RJ [Jazul], RR [Garcia], Encho [Serrano], Tyler [Tio], Aljun [Melecio], and the rest of the guys. It’s going to just be exciting times for us.”
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