MATTHEW Wright was an interested spectator on the sidelines on Wednesday during the Philippine Cup game between Rain or Shine and Phoenix.
He hopes to play in a PBA game again some day.
The visit was the second for the 34-year-old shooting guard at the Philsports Arena as he showed his support for the Fuel Masters, his team for six PBA seasons before deciding to take his act to the Japan B.League.
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Unfortunately, Phoenix was at the losing end again, 109-99, to fall down at 2-6 in the standings.
So is this a sign the Fuel Masters need Mr. Wright back?
The Fil-Canadian gunner, who spent his vacation in the country going to Boracay, had a good laugh when asked about it.
“I can’t say. But you know, it’’s good to see them again. We’ve spent a lot of time together and so it’s good to catch up with the guys and watch the game live,” he said.
Wright is still under contract with the Kawasaki Brave Thunders, who failed to advance to the B.League playoffs after finishing with an 18-60 record for No. 8 in the Central Division.
Wright still has a one year left in his contract and he’s looking forward to getting better this offseason and be prepared for the 2025-26 season of the B.League.
“I’m not worried about next year, I’m just worried about this offseason. Hope I get better,” he said.
But while the B. League is his priority now, Wright didn’t deny a return stint in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league remains very much a part of his plans.
‘I wouldn’t hold my breath of me coming back to the PBA again. It’s always in the back of my mind,” he said.
And though his former PBA team is struggling with its current campaign, Wright believes it has the right pieces to be competitive against the rest of the field.
‘They have good attitude, they have the right leaders, young talent mixed with good veterans. And they have good coaches,” added Wright, who led Phoenix to a semifinal stint during the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark Pampanga.
While he was here in the country, Wright also graced the B. Hope Asia 3x3 Challenge, a mixed-gender three-player tournament which was part of the Japan B.League Final Week in Manila.
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