From Dragons to Fuel Masters: Vanguardia, Wright set to reunite

Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia and PBA rookie aspirant/Gilas Cadet Matthew Wright. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Coach Ariel Vanguardia admits it was a hard choice for Phoenix when it was its turn to pick in the Gilas round in the 2016 PBA Rookie Draft.

“My heart says (Matthew) Wright, but my mind says (Jiovani) Jalalon or (Arnold) Van Opstal,” he said Thursday in Day 2 of the 2016 Gatorade PBA Draft Combine at Gatorade Hoops Center in Shaw.

Phoenix reportedly snagged Wright from the pool, and if there’s one guy who knows what the Fil-Canadian guard is capable of, it’s definitely Vanguardia.

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The two spent time with Westports Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League, and the mentor said that it truly was a tantalizing option for him to plot for a reunion.

“It would be nice to reunite with Matthew,” he said.

Vanguardia, though, admits that with the deep talent in the Gilas pool, there are just some talent too hard to pass up on.

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“Ang hirap din pakawalan ni Jalalon. Gusto ko rin talaga makita si Van Opstal sana kasi kailangan namin yung inside presence,” he said.

What’s important for Vanguardia now is to find another solid player in the regular draft, where they will pick second, who could fit best in the Fuel Masters’ roster.

“Based on sa needs ng team namin, point guard and bigs ang kailangan namin,” he said. “Ang formula namin, if we get a big man, we get a point guard. We want to pair them, whichever comes first.”