Phoenix’s Matthew Wright. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Matthew Wright’s breakout game of the conference netted him his first PBA Press Corps Player of the Week plum in the 2021-22 Governors’ Cup.
Phoenix import Paul Harris had to check out of the game less than three minutes into the first quarter due to a leg injury but Wright took it upon himself to not only shake off his early conference slump but also lead his team against erstwhile unbeaten NLEX, 103-92, on Christmas.
Wright finished with 23 points, on 6-of-9 shooting from deep, nine rebounds, nine rebounds, and four assists in the victory.
The 6-foot-4 forward’s three-point tally against NLEX also eclipsed his total in Phoenix’s first four games of the conference wherein he went a soggy 5-of-26.
Wright’s torrid shooting pushed the Fuel Masters to a 3-2 record.
“As bad as we played in our last two games, Matt said that we just have to keep on playing. That it’s either we go all the way with three straight losses or we stop the streak of NLEX,” said Phoenix head coach Topex Robinson who celebrated his 47th birthday on Christmas.
Other candidates for the Player of the Week award are Phoenix’ Justin Chua, San Miguel’s Terrence Romeo and CJ Perez, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, and Calvin Abueva, Meralco’s Chris Newsome, TNT’s Mikey Williams, Alaska’s Maverick Ahanmisi, Jeron Teng, and Robbie Herndon.
Wright is the third player to be named Player of the Week this conference after NLEX’s Kevin Alas and Barangay Ginebra’s Arvin Tolentino.