Matthew Wright vowed to do better for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters this conference and the vow began in a 103-100 Fuel Masters’ victory over the Terrafirma Dyip on Thursday in their opening game in the 2021 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The 6’4” Wright struck with 13 points in the fourth period as he helped turn things around for the Fuel Masters when action ended at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
“This (team) is going to go as far as I can take ‘em. I can’t have a confidence just like I had in the last conference when I was struggling, and I let my emotions get the best of me,” said Wright.
The Fil-Canadian Wright came into picture just in time to carry the Fuel Masters to a big comeback from as much as 17 points at 50-67.
The 30-year-old Wright went on to tally 17 points and 10 assists behind import Paul Harris, who showed the way with 24 points and 15 rebounds.
The setback somehow spoiled the debut of Alex Cabagnot with the Dyip.
Cabagnot, formerly from San Miguel Beer, finished with 12 points for Dyip, which got 28 points from import Antonio Hester.
“We just kept on playing. We just kept on grinding it out with them,” said Fuel Masters’ coach Topex Robinson.
Wright’s heroics included two three-pointers during a huge 23-4 fourth-quarter blast that gave the Fuel Masters the lead for good.
The Fuel Masters extricated themselves from a 67-77 deficit at the end of the third quarter, with Hester leading the Dyip’s charge with eight points in the period.
It was Cabagnot’s turnover with 3.3 seconds left that kept Terrafirma from taking a decent shot at a game-winner or tying basket while trailing, 102-100.