Matthew Wright excited to return to Gilas duty: ‘It’s a great pool’

Matthew Wright’s  job for this PBA season may be over, but he’s not about to get a break just yet.

With Phoenix Fuel Masters out of 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs, Wright will return to his duty with the Philippine men’s national basketball team that will play in the fifth window of the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

Wright, who is part of the 20-man pool that will begin training on Monday, is looking forward to the national team grind especially with the return of Arwind Santos and LA Tenorio.

“It’s a great pool, I know it’s exciting to see guys like Arwind and LA back in the mix,” said Wright, who first began his international career in 2016.

Tenorio last became part of Gilas in 2016 but Santos’ last foray with the national team was way back in 2009, the last time Yeng Guiao handled the program.

The two veterans’ stay with the team, however, is not permanent with Guiao still to decide on two 15-man teams that will play against Kazakhstan on Nov. 30 and Iran on Dec. 3 with both games set to be played at Mall of Asia Arena.

“Whoever the lucky 15 are chosen, with them I really like our chances against Kazakhstan and especially Iran,” said Wright. “Of course it’s going to be stacked lineup, you have the best players in the country all in one pool, of course, it’s going to be loaded with talent.”

“Everyone’s going to feed off each other, it’s going to be a friendly competition, it’s going to be good for the program and the country.”