Vanguardia wants tougher defense from Wright

Phoenix’s Matthew Wright. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

On a night Matthew Wright played his best game yet, his head coach Ariel Vanguardia knows his rookie swingman still has a lot to show.

Wright dropped a career-high 22 points, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter, in Phoenix’s 94-90 comeback win over Meralco Wednesday, a performance Vanguardia believes could still be better especially on the defensive end.

“Honestly, he’s still not the Matthew Wright I’ve known for a long time,” said Vanguardia.

Wright’s offensive exploits in the fourth quarter didn’t go unnoticed, but what Vanguardia wants to see more from the Fil-Canadian deadshot is his defense.

“I’m not happy with the way he’s playing defense.”

Vanguardia had seen Wright hold his own against imports in the Asean Basketball League where the two won a championship together as part of the Westports Malaysia Dragons.

“In the ABL, I make him guard imports and I’m wondering why he can’t bring that same intensity on defense here [in the PBA].”

The 6-foot-4 Wright said he’s still learning how the game is being played in the PBA.

“He’s very hard on me [when it comes to defense],” Wright said. “Even if I do play good defense, I don’t think he’ll tell me. But that’s completely fine.”

“I’m still only in my sixth game in the PBA and I’m still trying to adjust to the game speed, the way the referees call the game, it’s a lot different, no hand check, it’s tougher for defenders,” he added. “Here, the advantage is obviously with the offensive player, so I’m still learning every day, and hopefully next game, I’ll be able to show a better defensive effort.”