Fajardo is Wright’s formula in a bid to win bubble title and MVP

SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Win championships and individual prizes will arrive.

It’s the mindset Matthew Wright is adopting now that he’s in a perfect position to emerge as the best player in the PBA bubble and, at the same time, win a title for the first time with Phoenix.

But he knows that winning collectively means other good things will come.

“I’m just focused on that (winning a championship). I’m just focused on doing the right things. And if you do the right thing and you’re humble, those kinds of awards will come, they will eventually come, ”said the 29-year-old Phoenix star.

Wright emerged as one of the top contenders for the best player in the Philippine Cup bubble after topping the statistical points standings at the end of the eliminations, averaging 22.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the second league while guiding the Fuel Masters to finish as the second-seeded team heading to the playoffs.

PHOTO: PBA Images

On Saturday, Phoenix stepped on the gas even further when he eliminated Magnolia in their quarterfinal game, 89-88, behind Wright’s final triple.

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Now the Fuel Masters face third-seeded TnT Tropang Giga in a best-of-five semifinal that begins Wednesday.

While claiming the MVP honor would be great for a player’s resume, Wright’s focus is winning the championship more than ever.

He said the big man from San Miguel, June Mar Fajardo, is a perfect case study.

The 6-foot-9, Fajardo won the last six PBA MVP trophies as the Beermen continued to win titles one after another, none more prominent than at the All-Philippine conference where they reign as five-time champions.

“Look at June Mar. He’s the humblest guy in the world, that’s why he’s been blessed with all those MVPs and championships,” Wright noted.

“So I try to get a page out of June Mar’s work.”

At the moment, the Fuel Masters are seven victories away from claiming a revolutionary championship, but there is a long way to go.

And so is the MVP trophy.

“We still have seven wins for a championship, so it’s going to be a long playoffs,” Wright said. “I would worry about that when all is said and done.”
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