Matthew Wright. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Barangay Ginebra carries a certain mystique that few teams in the PBA could match.
The Gin Kings are by far still the league’s most famous franchise, dating back to the time of legendary Robert Jaworski.
But that lore itself was what Phoenix exploited when it turned back Ginebra, 111-103, Friday in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Fuel Masters not only held their ground on the floor, but they also kept their composure even when head coach Louie Alas was thrown out with 8:54 to play.
“Everyone’s so pre-occupied with Ginebra’s size (Greg Slaughter stands at seven feet while Japeth Aguilar is listed as 6-foot-9) and its personnel, but they’re human just like we are,” said Phoenix wingman Matthew Wright. “They put their pants one leg at a time just like me, just like you guys.”
“Obviously, we respect them but we feel like sometimes they get a little too much respect and teams are afraid to go at them especially with the crowd. It’s getting a little bit intimidating but this is a win for us that hopefully, we can parlay into three more.”
The Fuel Masters were nearly consumed in Ginebra’s mythic energy and trailed 56-44 heading into the break, but the third quarter became their stomping ground.
Phoenix caught fire in the penultimate period, outscoring the Gin Kings 45-25 to take an 89-81 buffer heading into the fourth period where they managed to weather Justin Brownlee’s 21-point explosion.
Brownlee, who finished with 31 points in total, was only one in the team to show that “never-say-die” attitude that night.
Wright, who had 32 points and six assists, is enjoying how the race is shaping up this conference with Phoenix holding a 4-4 record and is tied with Ginebra and Alaska.
“It’s a tight PBA race, teams that are usually at the bottom are now at the top, there’s more parity in the league now which I feel is good,” said Wright.