It seemed like Matthew Wright had played his final game in Phoenix uniform last Saturday, July 16.
Fuel Masters head coach Topex Robinson revealed that Wright will be skipping their final game against Barangay Ginebra to fly to the US for his wedding with longtime partner Gabriella Rosa on July 24 in New York and is not expected to return anymore even if Phoenix makes it to the playoffs.
“It’s gonna be his wedding day on the 21st so he’s gonna leave for the US. It’s a long planned big day for him, he’s really excited about it and we’re happy for him,” said Robinson after the team’s 89-66 demolition of Converge where he fielded Wright up to the final moment of the rout.
Wright finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals in 37 minutes of play, seemingly a way for Robinson to honor the Fil-Canadian sniper after spending seven seasons with the team.
The Fuel Masters still have a slim chance of making it to the playoffs but the team has to hurdle Barangay Ginebra and wait for other results to favor its desire.
Wright’s contract is expiring at the end of August and he has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of exploring his options – something that he has been open and vocal about during his contract extension talks with the Fuel Masters management since last conference.
“As of now he honored his contract. He’s gonna expire in August and he was open about it. Last year pa niya sinabi sa amin na he’s gonna look at his opportunities but again we’re just happy for him. Whatever it is that he’s gonna do after this is something that we have agreed upon the management has his full support and if ever he returns that’s an added bonus for us,” said Robinson.
Nonetheless, Robinson is looking at the rest of his wards to fill the void after Wright’s departure
“Matt’s absence will be somebody else’s presence. Again, we have Perk here, he’s one of the veteran now and that’s gonna be a big shoe to fill but that’s just an opportunity for RJ (Jazul), RR (Garcia), Encho(Serrano), for Tyler (Tio) and the rest of the guys so that’s gonna be exciting times for us,” added Robinson.