MATTHEW Wright believes the championship victory of the Toronto Raptors will lead to more Filipino-Canadians taking up the sport, increasing the talent base that could possibly play in the PBA in the future.
Wright said the Raptors’ victory in the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors inspired Canadians not just at home but also abroad, and that will eventually lead to more people playing the sport.
“You saw how crazy the crowd and how the whole country rallied behind the team,” said Wright, who traces his roots in Toronto. “I don’t know any other sports team that has that kind of fan base. The whole country, 37 million people, rooting for one team. It’s special.”
Wright especially wished his son in Toronto would get inspired by this along with a whole generation of Filipino-Canadians.
“I feel like you are going to see a lot more Filipino-Canadians coming into the PBA and into the NCAA and UAAP," he said. "I’m excited for the future of Canadian basketball.”
Like millions of Canadians back home, Wright passionately cheered for the Raptors, even watching the games during Phoenix Pulse practices.
“I was screaming at the TV. Reyes Gym (practice facility), the TV was like the size of a microwave. But it’s history,” said Wright.
“Everyone in Phoenix was just laughing at me. I’m like this far away from the TV watching and no one can speak to me. Everyone was making fun of me. It was a lot of fun. These moments, I’ll never forget.”
When he was watching Raptors basketball years ago, Wright endured years of defeats and doomed seasons before Vince Carter came along to ignite Toronto’s rise in the NBA.
“I was part of the Carter effect. I witnessed it. I went through the dark years when they weren’t making the playoffs, when they were swept by LeBron. I’m just glad those days are behind us,” said Wright.
Now, Wright believes hoops-loving kids are seeing what good basketball really is, understanding the value of defense, teamwork, and individual play.
“A lot of kids are going to grow up watching Kawhi Leonard and be inspired and be as great as The Klaw. I’m really excited. I can’t be happier for the fan base.
After the Raptors won the NBA title, Wright only has one wish: “I hope Kawhi stays.”
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