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MATTHEW WRIGHT put things in the right perspective when his Phoenix Super LPG played against Magnolia and made the triple winner of the game Saturday night that sent the Fuel Masters to the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Philippine Cup.
The correct perspective is that all Wright wanted to do right now is relax, perhaps savor that deciding factor in his 89-88 quarterfinal victory that toppled the Hotshots at the Angeles University Foundation.
Ahead of them in the semifinals is a team that Wright eagerly wanted to beat.
“It is definitely recovery time and we want to play Talk ‘N Text. I feel like they’re in trouble and we’re playing with full confidence right now, ”Wright told BusinessMirror Sunday morning. “So it’s going to be a difficult series for us, but it’s also a very difficult series for them.”
Wright scored 32 points, grabbed five rebounds and provided nine assists against the Hotshots. He capped off his complete game by avoiding Mark Barroca for a continued winner of a triple with nine seconds left. Calvin Abueva secured a crucial rebound in Paul Lee’s missed run to seal the victory for the Fuel Masters.
“I’m lucky. I heard coach [Topex Robinson] I was counting down so I just shot. Very tiring, ”he said.
Call it exhausting, but Phoenix’s man of the moment has been on fire the entire conference.
The 29-year-old Filipino-Canadian scored 39.5 statistical points after 11 games in eliminations to lead the MVP career of the single season. He built his numbers on averages of 22.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.0 assists, the best in the second league.
Second-year guard CJ Pérez was at No. 2 with 35.7 sps as he led the league in scoring again with 24.4 points per game and Wright’s Phoenix teammate Jason Perkins was third with 35.5 SPs built around. averages of 19.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Among rookies, Terrafirma’s Roosevelt Adams led the way with 20.3 SPs in norms of 10.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, followed by Meralco point guard Aaron Black with 18.7 sps (7.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists) and a surprising third, the Magnolia’s big man. Aris Dionisio with 17.9 SP.
The Fuel Masters, who posted an 8-3 win-loss record in the eliminations, are preparing for a dogfight with the Tropang Giga, who beat them (91-110) in the eliminations. The race-three series will begin on Wednesday.
“It will be difficult, but we are very confident. We are playing very well, ”Wright said. “When we play them [and lost], Alex and Calvin didn’t play, now they’re basically 100 percent in terms of conditioning and timing. “
For Robinson, his first appearance in the semifinals as the PBA head coach is nothing short of “magical.”
“Wow, it’s magical for us. We are lucky to be here to work with one of the best teams. Credit to them and Coach Chito [Victolero], “he said.” It was a super good experience that we are going to bring as we move into the semifinals. “
